Spinner Blades: Wedding Band Size Guide

Spinner wedding bands, also known as spinner rings, are a unique twist on traditional wedding bands. Spinner rings are available in a variety of metals, including gold, titanium, tungsten, platinum, and stainless steel. Silver is also a popular metal for handcrafted spinner rings due to its malleability.

Spinner wedding bands come in various styles, such as two-tone designs featuring platinum with yellow gold or white gold with yellow or rose gold. More intricate rolling rings feature three colour tones with two spinning layers on top of a third band layer.

Spinner rings are comfortable to wear as the outer metallic layer spins around the outside of the band, while the inside remains a single piece. Many spinner wedding rings are available in a 'comfort fit' style.

When it comes to the blades on spinner rings, there are several types and sizes available. The size of the spinner blades on a wedding band can vary depending on the specific ring design and the jeweller's or designer's preferences. Some common blade types include Willow, Colorado, and Indiana blades, each with distinct shapes and spinning characteristics.

Willow blades, for example, are known for their streamlined shape and tend to spin at faster speeds. Colorado blades, on the other hand, have a rounder shape and are designed to spin at slower speeds, even in calm water conditions. Indiana blades fall in between, with a moderate rotation speed.

It's worth noting that the size of the spinner blades on a wedding band is not standard and can vary depending on the ring's overall design and the preferences of the jeweller or designer. Some spinner wedding bands may feature smaller blades for a more subtle effect, while others may incorporate larger blades for a bolder statement. Ultimately, the size of the spinner blades will depend on the specific ring and the craftsmanship involved in its creation.

Pros of spinner wedding bands

Spinner wedding bands, also known as spinning wedding bands or spinner rings, are unique alternatives to traditional wedding bands. Here are some pros of spinner wedding bands:

Variety of Styles and Metals

Spinner wedding bands come in a variety of metals, including gold, titanium, tungsten, platinum, and stainless steel. Silver is also a popular metal for handcrafted spinner rings due to its malleability. Spinner bands can feature a two-tone look, such as platinum with yellow gold or white gold with yellow or rose gold. More complex rolling rings may have three colour tones, with two spinning layers on top of a third band layer. Men's spinner wedding bands are available in a wider range of styles, especially in newer wedding ring metals like titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel. Women's spinner wedding bands are typically available in "band" styles, rather than traditional engagement ring designs.

Comfort and Fit

Spinner rings are designed with a spinning outer metallic layer that rotates around the outside of the band, while the inside of the band remains a single piece. This unique feature provides a comfortable fit, and many spinner wedding rings are available in "comfort fit" band styles.

Customization Options

Spinner wedding bands can be customised with engravings on the bands. Artisan handcrafted spinner rings are often created with high standards of quality.

Affordable Options

Spinner wedding rings are available in a wide range of prices, from expensive gold rings to more affordable options in tungsten, stainless steel, and titanium.

Cons of spinner wedding bands

Spinner wedding bands, also known as spinner rings, are unique and beautiful, especially when handcrafted by artisans. However, there are some cons to consider before purchasing one.

Firstly, spinner wedding rings cannot be resized, making it crucial to determine your correct ring size before buying. This can be a significant drawback, as ring sizes may change over time due to various factors such as weight fluctuations or natural changes in finger size. Spinner wedding rings are also challenging to repair if damaged. Although repairs are possible in some cases, they tend to be more expensive than standard wedding band repairs.

Another disadvantage is their limited availability in local wedding ring stores due to their specialised nature. Spinner wedding rings often need to be custom-made by jewellers who specialise in crafting spinning rings or purchased through online retailers. This can make it more time-consuming and complicated to find and acquire your ideal ring.

Additionally, spinner wedding rings with plating, such as gold, black, or silver plates, should be avoided for everyday wear as the plating will quickly wear away. When considering a spinning wedding ring, it is essential to opt for solid metal options without any plating.

Spinner wedding bands also come in a variety of metals, including gold, titanium, tungsten, and platinum. For extra durability, affordable options such as titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel are recommended. It is worth noting that black spinner rings made of titanium are preferable to those made of tungsten or stainless steel, as the latter two options typically have a black plate that will eventually wear away.

In conclusion, while spinner wedding bands offer a unique and beautiful alternative to traditional wedding bands, it is essential to carefully consider the potential drawbacks. These include the inability to resize, the difficulty and cost of repairs, limited availability in local stores, and the importance of selecting rings without plating for everyday wear.

Spinnerbait blade shapes

Spinnerbaits are a type of fishing lure that combines the designs of a swimbait with one or more spoon lure blades. The most prominent blade types include the following:

Colorado Blade

The Colorado blade is round and spoon-shaped, designed to create maximum vibration. Its broad shape and parabolic cross-section produce a deep, heavy vibration that fish can detect via their lateral line. It is often used in murky water or at night, or when fishing in deeper waters.

Willowleaf Blade

The Willowleaf blade is long and narrow, shaped like the foliage it is named after. It has minimal vibration but the most flash out of all blade types, making it perfect for imitating baitfish. It is most successful during the summer and fall when there is ample visibility and bass are actively feeding. A popular setup is to have a Willowleaf blade with a Colorado blade mounted just ahead of it in a 'tandem' configuration.

Indiana Blade

The Indiana blade is a hybrid of the Willowleaf and Colorado blades, with a curved cross-section halfway between the two. This blade is highly versatile, providing a middle ground between the two extremes. It is the primary blade type used on most in-line spinners.

Oklahoma Blade

The Oklahoma blade, also known as the turtleback, Olympic, or mag willow, is a shortened, rounded variant of the Willowleaf blade. It falls between the Colorado and Indiana blades in terms of vibration and speed of rotation. For heavily pressured waters, this blade creates a unique sonic signature that is more likely to attract predatory fish.

Other less common blade shapes include the Chopper, French, Fluted, Royal Willow, Dakota, Minnow, Swing, Tomahawk, Whiptail, and Serrated Willowleaf. Each blade shape has unique characteristics that make it more or less suitable for specific fishing conditions, such as water clarity, temperature, and speed of retrieval.

Spinnerbait blade finishes

Nickel: Nickel-finished blades are a popular choice for spinnerbaits. They offer a smooth and sleek appearance that can enhance the lure's attractiveness in the water. Nickel finishes provide a balance between flash and subtlety, making them versatile for various fishing conditions.

Brass: Brass finishes are known for their natural patina that develops over time. This patina helps reduce the shine of the blade, making it ideal for low-light or murky water conditions. Brass blades are a preferred choice for night fishing or when targeting fish in deeper, darker waters.

Gold: Gold-finished blades excel in low-light conditions and discoloured waters. They provide a darker profile while maintaining some flash, making them effective in situations where there is reduced visibility. Gold blades are particularly useful when the primary forage has a golden tint, such as Golden Shiner.

Copper: Copper finishes, like brass, develop a natural patina that reduces shine. This makes copper blades well-suited for murky or muddy waters, as well as night fishing. Copper offers a distinct appearance that can set your spinnerbait apart from others.

Silver: Silver-finished blades are the go-to choice for clear water and sunny conditions. They provide maximum flash and are excellent imitators of various baitfish. Silver blades work exceptionally well during the Shad spawn, as they mimic the natural appearance of baitfish.

Painted: Painted blades offer a wide range of colour options, including white, black, red, and orange. These colours are ideal for muddy waters and night fishing, providing excellent visibility in low-light conditions. Painted blades allow anglers to add a personal touch or match specific forage colours.

Photographic Finishes: This newer type of finish allows anglers to add intricate details and realism to their spinnerbait blades. Photographic finishes can set your lure apart from others and potentially increase your catch rate.

When selecting a blade finish, it's important to consider the fishing conditions, water clarity, and the behaviour of your target fish species. Experimenting with different finishes can help you determine which ones work best for your specific needs and preferences.

How to fish a Colorado blade

Colorado blades are a versatile fishing lure that can be used in a variety of ways, including drifting under a float, trolling, or casting and retrieving. They are particularly effective in cold, murky, or muddy water conditions due to their ability to create flash and vibration, which bass can hone in on despite impaired vision. Here are some tips on how to fish a Colorado blade:

Spinnerbait Choice:

When choosing a spinnerbait, opt for a single Colorado blade rather than a tandem blade model. The single blade setup allows the blade to spin freely on the wire arm without bumping into another blade. A 3/4-ounce spinnerbait with a number 6 Colorado blade is a good choice for dirty water, while a 1-ounce spinnerbait is more suitable for fishing deeper than 20 feet in slightly stained water.

Retrieval Technique:

An extremely slow retrieve is key when using a Colorado blade in cold-water situations. Reel at a speed that just makes the lure move and the blade barely spin. This slow retrieval ensures that the blade stays close to the bottom, ticking the rocks and imitating a sluggish baitfish, which bass are more likely to target during winter as their metabolism slows down.

Water Conditions:

Colorado blades excel in still or slow-flowing water and are ideal for shallow water fishing. They are also well-suited for casting at bankside structure. The blades produce a solid thump and vibration that slow down the sink rate of the lure, keeping it in the strike zone for longer, which is advantageous when fishing for native fish.

Blade Size:

When targeting bigger fish, consider up-sizing your Colorado blade. Most spinnerbaits come with a standard size 6 blade, but switching to a size 8 blade will provide a slower sink rate, more vibration, and pulse, increasing your chances of catching larger fish.

Fishing Location:

Mild winter days with ample sunshine are ideal for using Colorado blades in dirty water less than 10 feet deep. Look for chunk rock, gravel, or clay banks to cast your lure. When a cold front moves in, adjust your strategy by slow-rolling the 1-ounce spinnerbait along creek channels and ledges, as the fish will tend to move deeper.

Frequently asked questions