Wedding Bands: Style And Symbolism

Wedding bands are circular rings that are given during the wedding ceremony to symbolise matrimony. They are usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand to indicate that the wearer is married. Wedding bands are typically simpler in design than engagement rings, often featuring a plain metal band or a diamond-encrusted eternity band. The choice of metal, width, finish and detailing can be customised to suit the wearer's preferences and budget.

Wedding bands for men

Width

The width of a wedding band is an important consideration, as it can affect the comfort and overall look of the ring. Men's wedding bands typically range in width from 2mm to 12mm, with the average being around 8 millimeters. Thicker bands tend to be more comfortable for men with larger hands or those who work with their hands, while thinner bands may be preferred by men with smaller hands or those who are not used to wearing a ring. Ultimately, the width of the band comes down to personal preference.

Metal Type

There are several metal options available for men's wedding bands, each with its own unique characteristics and price point. Some of the most popular metal choices include:

• Platinum: Platinum is a popular choice for men's wedding bands due to its visual appeal and durability. It is dense, scratch-resistant, and hypoallergenic.
• Gold (White, Yellow, or Rose): Gold is a classic choice for wedding bands and comes in several varieties. White gold has a contemporary style and combines pure gold with other metals, while yellow gold is a timeless and traditional option. Rose gold, made from a combination of pure gold and copper, has a reddish/pinkish hue and is considered romantic.
• Titanium: Titanium is a lightweight, lustrous, and corrosion-resistant metal that is often used for men's wedding bands. It is durable and hypoallergenic, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.
• Tungsten: Tungsten is a rare metal known for its strength and durability. It is scratch-resistant, hypoallergenic, and has a contemporary look.
• Tantalum: Tantalum is a precious metal that is dense, strong, and unique. It is a hardy alternative to gold and is known for its black luster that will never tarnish or corrode.

Other metal options include stainless steel, palladium, cobalt, and meteorite.

Finish

The finish of a wedding band can affect its overall look and feel. Some popular finishes for men's wedding bands include:

• High polish: This finish gives the ring a reflective, shiny surface, creating a striking and attractive look.
• Matte: A matte finish gives the ring a flat, non-reflective appearance.
• Satin: A satin finish is similar to high polish but without the flashiness, resulting in a smooth and shiny look with reduced reflection.
• Brush/Cross Satin: This finish creates a textured look with a cross-hatch pattern, similar to that made by a wire brush.
• Sandblasting: Sandblasting creates a "rough" look on the ring with no shine or reflection.

Structure

Men's wedding bands typically come in three structures: dome, flat, and concave. A dome structure gives the ring a rounded appearance, while a flat band has straight edges with no curves. A concave structure is the opposite of a dome, with the surface of the ring curving inward.

Details

Adding details to a men's wedding band can make it truly unique. Some options for detailing include:

• Diamonds: Diamonds can be seamlessly added to the setting or used as accents.
• Milgrain: Milgrain is a technique that adds small balls of metal work to the ring, creating texture and detail.
• Carving: Carving involves adding simple or intricate details to the ring without the use of gemstones.

Wedding bands for women

Classic Metal Bands

Classic metal wedding bands are timeless and elegant, typically crafted from platinum, titanium, stainless steel, or 14K/18K white, yellow, or rose gold. Platinum is the most popular choice in this style, known for its shine and ability to develop a beautiful patina with age. Metal bands are versatile and can be worn with any engagement ring style or stacked with other bands. They are an excellent choice for brides who lead active lifestyles and don't want to worry about diamond or prong damage.

Pavé Bands

Pavé wedding bands add a touch of sparkle and flair to the bride's finger. These rings are encrusted with diamonds or gemstones, allowing brides to find a piece that shines brightly. Pavé bands pair well with engagement rings that have a pavé band or a cushion-cut solitaire ring with a pavé halo setting. They are perfect for brides who want the sparkle of a diamond band without the high-set prongs.

Eternity Bands

Eternity bands are stunning rings with diamonds or gemstones that encircle the entire perimeter of the band. Within this category, shared prong and channel settings are two popular styles. In a shared prong eternity band, two stones sit next to each other, sharing a prong, creating a sparkling "U" shape from the side. Channel-set eternity bands feature diamonds or gemstones laid side by side within a metal channel for a more embedded look. Eternity bands can be set with various diamond cuts, such as round brilliant, cushion, or emerald, and they make a statement even when worn alone.

Anniversary Bands

Anniversary bands are similar to eternity bands but feature clusters of diamonds or gemstones along only half of the band's perimeter. These rings are meant to celebrate milestone wedding anniversaries. They can be paired with any engagement ring style, creating a cohesive look when matched with the engagement ring's setting. Anniversary bands offer the timeless elegance of an eternity band with a more delicate design that avoids bulkiness between the fingers.

Unique Bands

For brides seeking something truly distinctive, unique wedding bands offer a range of options. These rings may feature uncommon shapes, such as bows or hearts, or incorporate meaningful elements that symbolise the couple's relationship. Coloured gemstones, such as emeralds, black sapphires, or pink sapphires, can add a touch of whimsy or edginess to the design. Hammered metal, crisscrossing bands, and knife-edge designs are also unique choices. Additionally, vintage-style wedding bands, including those from the Victorian, art nouveau, or Edwardian eras, offer a romantic and original look.

When choosing a wedding band, women have a plethora of options to express their individuality and complement their engagement rings. Whether opting for classic elegance or daring uniqueness, the perfect wedding band is out there, waiting to be slipped onto the finger and cherished for a lifetime.

The history of wedding bands

Wedding rings have been exchanged for thousands of years, with the first evidence of their use dating back to ancient Egypt. Over time, the design and composition of wedding rings have evolved, with different cultures adopting and adapting the tradition to suit their beliefs and practices.

Ancient Egypt

Wedding rings first appeared in ancient Egypt, with scrolls depicting a man giving a ring to his wife over 3,000 years ago. These early rings were made from materials such as braided reeds, leather, bone, or plant stems, and were placed on the fourth finger of the left hand, which the Egyptians believed contained the "vena amoris" or "vein of love" leading directly to the heart. The circular shape of the ring represented undying love and commitment, a sentiment that has endured throughout the history of wedding bands.

Ancient Greece and Rome

The ancient Greeks and Romans continued the tradition of exchanging wedding rings, often crafting them from leather, bone, or ivory. During this time, the use of metal rings, particularly iron, became more common, with gold and silver rings being reserved for the extremely wealthy. The Romans named the vein in the fourth finger the "Vena Amoris" and began using engravings on their rings, such as depictions of two hands clasped in friendship or love, known as fede rings.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

During the Middle Ages, Christian marriage ceremonies adopted wedding rings, often featuring heavy engravings. However, the Church denounced these ornate rings as overly lavish, leading to the adoption of simpler styles, including plain metal bands. During the Renaissance, gimmel rings, composed of multiple interlocking hoops that could be separated into individual rings, became popular. These were typically used as engagement rings, with the betrothed couple each wearing one hoop during the engagement period and then rejoining them during the wedding ceremony for the bride to wear.

Modern Times

Today, wedding bands can vary from simple circles to intricate, jewel-adorned designs. Couples have more freedom to choose styles that reflect their personal preferences and cultural traditions. While the tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand persists, influenced by the ancient belief in the "vein of love," modern couples may also opt for alternative placements or even forgo rings altogether.

Wedding band styles

Wedding bands are circular and are usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand. They come in a variety of styles, colours, and shapes. The most popular metal for wedding bands is white gold, but other metals such as yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, palladium, tungsten, and stainless steel are also used.

The width of a wedding band typically ranges from 2mm to 8mm, with men's bands tending to be wider than women's. The finish of a wedding band can be high polish, matte, satin, brush/cross satin, or sandblasted.

Wedding bands can be structured in a dome, flat, or concave shape. They can also feature additional details such as diamonds, milgrain, or carving.

Some popular styles of wedding bands include:

• Matching wedding bands: These bands are designed with the same details, metal type, and accents as the engagement ring to create a perfect match.
• Eternity bands: This style features accent stones around the entire shank, symbolising never-ending love and commitment.
• Nesting wedding bands: These bands hug the contours of the engagement ring and are designed with a curve to leave no gap between the two rings.
• Stackable wedding bands: This modern style features thin bands that can be stacked together in different metal types and styles to create a unique look.

Wedding band metals

Wedding bands are available in a wide range of metals, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a guide to help you choose the best metal for your wedding band.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has long been the most traditional metal for wedding bands, with a history that dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It is versatile and can be worn by anyone, but it looks particularly good with olive and darker skin tones. Yellow gold is generally low-maintenance, but it does require periodic polishing and cleaning to maintain its shine. It is also susceptible to scratches, especially when in contact with hard surfaces. However, it is an affordable option, making it an attractive choice for those seeking an elegant and classic look without breaking the bank.

White Gold

White gold has gained significant popularity in recent years as a modern and versatile choice for wedding bands, surpassing yellow gold as the preferred choice for both women's and men's wedding bands. It has a stunning white colour that beautifully complements fair and rosy skin tones. White gold is alloyed with stronger metals, making it more durable than yellow gold. However, it requires periodic rhodium plating to maintain its colour and lustre, making it somewhat high-maintenance. White gold is also known to contain nickel, which may trigger metal allergies in some individuals.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is crafted by combining pure gold with copper and silver, resulting in an alluring pink hue. It is renowned for its warm and romantic colour, making it a popular choice for wedding bands. Rose gold is available in different purity levels, with 14K and 18K being the most popular choices. One of its distinctive features is its affordability due to its relatively high copper content. Rose gold complements all skin tones and is known for its durability. However, due to its copper content, individuals with sensitive skin should be cautious as it may pose a slightly higher risk of causing skin issues.

Platinum

Platinum is a luxurious choice and one of the strongest precious metals available. It is a pure white metal that won't change colour or fade, making it highly durable. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, so there is no risk of allergic reactions. While it is one of the most expensive metal choices, its exceptional durability justifies the higher cost. Platinum bands rarely get damaged and retain their colour and sheen over time.

Palladium

Palladium is a platinum group metal with a natural grey-white lustre. It doesn't tarnish or need rhodium plating, making it low-maintenance. Palladium is also hypoallergenic, so it won't cause allergic reactions like some other metals. It is less dense than platinum, making it feel much lighter in weight. While it is not quite as durable as platinum, it is still a good choice for those with an active lifestyle who want a mirror-like finish.

Titanium

Titanium is a lustrous grey metal that is strong and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear. It is often used in men's wedding rings and is known for its modern and unique look. Titanium is extremely scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, requiring no extra care. However, titanium wedding rings cannot be easily resized, so ensuring the correct size is crucial.

Tungsten

Tungsten, specifically tungsten carbide, is a dark grey, glossy metal that is often used in men's wedding rings. It is one of the strongest metals available for wedding rings and is highly scratch-resistant. Jewellery made with tungsten carbide will retain its glossy look longer than any other metal. While tungsten is extremely hard and resistant to tarnish, it is brittle and can fracture if dropped or knocked on a hard surface.

Cobalt

Cobalt is a natural, hypoallergenic metal that resembles platinum in appearance. It is the whitest contemporary metal offered today and will not tarnish or require rhodium plating. Cobalt is less dense than other metals, allowing for greater height and shape in designs. It is extremely hard and scratch-resistant, offering tremendous durability and wearability. It is also affordable, making it a robust and cost-effective choice for wedding bands.

Frequently asked questions