Cathedral Wedding Bands: A Guide

A cathedral wedding band is a ring with a design inspired by the grandeur and elegance of a cathedral's architecture. The band slopes up to support the centre diamond, mimicking the arches in the doorways and ceilings of Gothic-style cathedrals. This setting is versatile and can be customised to suit the wearer's preferences. The cathedral setting is a traditional option that can be represented across different aesthetics.

Pros of a cathedral wedding band

The cathedral wedding band is a timeless, classic, and elegant choice for those who want to make their centre stone appear more prominent and conspicuous. The arches in the band's shank give the ring a distinct profile, reminiscent of the arches in Gothic-style cathedrals, hence the name.

• Accentuates the Centre Stone: The high-set cathedral setting is ideal for those who want to highlight their centre stone. The elevated position of the diamond gives the illusion of a larger stone. This is especially beneficial for smaller diamonds. The arches around the stone also help to hide any inclusions or imperfections in a medium-quality diamond.
• Versatile and Customisable: Cathedral settings offer a large canvas for customisation. The space between the arches and the shank can be left empty for a minimalist look, filled for a bolder appearance, or decorated with filigree patterns for a vintage aesthetic. This setting is also versatile enough to accommodate different types of diamond shapes, including round, princess, cushion, and emerald cuts.
• Timeless and Stylish: Cathedral settings have been popular for many decades, and their popularity is expected to continue. The sweeping arches and elegant silhouette of this setting give the ring a stylish and sophisticated look.
• Stackable: One of the biggest advantages of a cathedral setting is its ability to raise the centre stone, allowing your wedding band to nest easily underneath, creating a beautiful stacked look.
• Sturdy and Secure: The wider band of a cathedral setting helps to maintain the ring's framework, making it more durable. The arches' added metal strengthens the metal fixings holding the stone, providing extra security for the centre stone.
• Easy to Match with a Wedding Band: Cathedral settings are typically easy to match with a wedding band. The elevated centre stone allows your wedding band to sit snugly next to the engagement ring, creating a stunning stacked design.

Cons of a cathedral wedding band

A cathedral wedding band is a beautiful, classic choice, but it does have some drawbacks. Here are some cons to consider before choosing a cathedral wedding band:

Prone to Snagging

The raised setting of a cathedral band means it has a greater chance of getting caught on clothing, furniture, or other materials. This can be a nuisance and may also increase the risk of damage to the ring over time.

High-Maintenance

The intricate design of cathedral bands, with their gaps and niches, requires more effort to clean and maintain than other ring styles. The small crevices can trap dirt, makeup, hand lotion, and other debris, leading to more frequent cleaning.

May Appear Disproportionate

Improper arch designs, especially when paired with large gems, can lead to a disproportionate appearance. The arches and sweeping curves of the band can compete with the centre stone, making it appear cluttered or distracting from the ring's overall elegance.

Not Suitable for Active Lifestyles

The high setting of a cathedral band may not be ideal for those with active lifestyles or hands-on jobs. It is more suitable for those who don't work with their hands often as the raised setting can be more susceptible to damage.

Cost

Cathedral settings can be slightly more expensive than non-cathedral settings due to the additional metalwork and intricate designs. The cost can be significantly higher for intricate designs with engravings, filigree, and milgrain details.

How to care for a cathedral wedding band

A cathedral wedding band is a ring characterised by sweeping arches that extend up from the band to support the diamond setting. This setting gives the ring a regal look and elevates the diamond, giving it visual prominence.

Maintenance

• Avoid wearing your gold jewellery in water, especially in pools, as chlorine and other chemicals can permanently discolour gold.
• Store your gold jewellery separately to prevent scratching and tangling.
• Put on your gold jewellery last as perfumes, deodorants, and makeup can degrade your jewellery faster.
• Keep an eye on degradation and have your pieces fixed early to prevent structural damage.
• Remove your gold jewellery and store it in a safe place when engaging in activities that could cause damage, such as sports or gardening.

Cleaning

• Clean your ring regularly, both at home and professionally.
• Avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning your ring, as they can wear down the metal.
• Mix mild dish detergent with warm water and soak your ring in the solution for a few minutes to a few hours.
• Gently scrub the stone and basket with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
• Buff your gold jewellery occasionally with a soft chamois cloth to restore shine.
• Take your ring to a jeweller for a professional cleaning and polishing once a year.

Other Tips

• Get your ring insured as soon as possible to protect your financial investment.
• Avoid removing your ring in public places, such as when washing your hands, as you may leave it behind or drop it down the drain.
• Schedule maintenance appointments with your jeweller at least once a year to ensure the prongs are tight, the diamond isn't loose, and there are no hairline cracks.
• Avoid knocking your diamond against other hard materials as it can chip.
• Avoid wearing your ring during hand-heavy activities, such as yoga or gardening, to prevent wear and tear.
• Keep ring dishes around your home so you always have a safe place to store your ring when you need to take it off.

Shopping for a cathedral wedding band

A cathedral wedding band is a ring with a distinctive design inspired by Gothic architecture. The band slopes up to the same level as the centre diamond's girdle or edge, with arches of metal flanking and securing the stone in place. This setting is reminiscent of the arches in doorways and ceilings of Gothic-style cathedrals, giving the ring a regal and elegant look.

Pros and Cons

Cathedral wedding bands have both advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before purchasing.

Pros:

• Protection of the Centre Stone: The arches of the setting provide more protection for the centre stone compared to a typical 4/6 prong ring.
• Design Flexibility: Slight tweaks to the design can change the overall feel of the ring, from petite to elegant to vintage.
• Attention to Detail: The gallery and underside of the ring can incorporate surprise features for those who love attention to detail.
• Centre Stone Emphasis: The centre stone is typically set higher, making the diamond appear larger and more prominent.
• Diamond Shape Versatility: Cathedral settings work well with various diamond shapes, including round, princess, cushion, and emerald cuts.
• Customisability: The setting is highly customisable, allowing for bold, minimalist, or vintage looks, among others.
• Stackability: The raised nature of the setting allows for easy stacking with a wedding band, and there is room to add an anniversary band later.

Cons:

• Maintenance: The gaps and niches in the design make the ring more challenging to clean.
• Snagging: The higher setting may cause the ring to snag on clothing, furniture, or hair.
• Disproportion: Improper arch designs with large gems can lead to a disproportionate appearance.
• Cluttered Look: The additional design features may compete with the centre diamond, creating a cluttered look.

Shopping Tips

When shopping for a cathedral wedding band, consider the following:

• Centre Stone Shape: Keep the shape of the centre stone in mind to ensure the cathedral features do not dominate the ring. Elongated shapes such as oval, octagon, and marquise look nice in a split shank, while symmetrical shapes like round, square, and cushion benefit from the conventional style.
• Stone Security: The gemstone can be secured with prongs, a bezel, a tension setting, or any other desired setting.
• Cleanability: Consider your lifestyle and how often you will need to clean the ring. Cathedral settings with their small crevices tend to trap dirt and debris and may require more frequent cleaning.
• Lifestyle: If you work with your hands often or need to wear gloves regularly, a simpler setting may be more practical.
• Customisation: Think about any customisations you may want, such as additional pave diamonds or metalwork, and ensure the jeweller can accommodate your requests.
• Stacking: If you plan to stack your engagement ring with a wedding band, ensure the wedding band can nestle easily underneath the centre stone.

Cost

The cost of a cathedral setting engagement ring is only marginally higher than simpler styles due to the additional metal and metalwork. The customisability of the setting also allows for a unique and intriguing design without the need for costly side stones or diamond accents.

Where to Shop

Cathedral setting rings are quite popular and can be found at various jewellers, both online and in-store. Consider choosing a jeweller who offers free annual cleanings to maintain the ring's sparkle and shine.

Design inspiration for a cathedral wedding band

The cathedral wedding band is a timeless, classic choice that is as popular as ever. The design is inspired by the grandeur and elegance of a cathedral's architecture, with arches in the shank reminiscent of the support arches of a church's ceiling. This setting is versatile and customisable, with a large canvas that offers a variety of options for those who prioritise metalwork in their ring. The space between the arches and shank can be filled for a bolder look, left empty for minimalism, or decorated with filigree patterns for a vintage feel.

When designing a cathedral wedding band, it is important to keep the centre stone shape in mind. While the setting is versatile, wider arches than the centre stone can cause the cathedral features to dominate the ring. Elongated shapes, such as oval, octagon, and marquise, look particularly good in a split shank, while symmetrical shapes, such as round, square, and cushion, benefit from a conventional style.

The cathedral setting is also ideal for those who want to accentuate their centre stone, as the higher profile of the ring makes the stone appear more prominent and sometimes larger. The additional metal and metalwork of the arches do not greatly increase the price, and the flourishes of the setting can add intrigue, eliminating the need for costly adornments like side stones or additional diamond accents.

The cathedral setting is very durable and secure, with the gemstone secured by prongs, a bezel, a tension setting, or any other desired setting. The arches also reinforce the metal elements holding the stone in place. This setting usually pairs well with a wedding band, as the raised design allows the wedding band to nestle underneath the stone and sit flush against the engagement ring band.

However, the crevices in the cathedral setting can trap dirt and debris, making it more difficult to clean. The raised setting also means it may snag on clothing, furniture, or hair.

Frequently asked questions