How to shop for wedding rings: Tips and tricks
How to shop for wedding rings? This question is quite common, especially among couples who know how to get started. Finding the right wedding ring does not begin with you selecting only the best and highest-quality rings.
You need to handpick beautiful yet meaningful rings to symbolize your love and commitment. Therefore, choosing a wedding ring should not depend only on its aesthetic beauty. As professional jewelers, we at Luxus Moissanite understand this purchase is of extreme importance to you.
Through this article, we offer some simple tips and tools so you can make an informed and calculated purchase. By the end of this blog, you will know how to shop for wedding rings.
How to shop for wedding rings?
Set your budget
The first step when shopping for wedding rings is finalizing your budget. Most couples spend an average of around $5,000 for their wedding rings. However, depending on material quality and design complexity, the price range may vary. When you set a budget in your mind, you will draw boundaries so you can find a ring that best suits your needs and the budget you have set.
Start early
It is wise to begin shopping for your wedding rings three to four months before your marriage. This will give you ample time to research different ring styles and prices. When you have sufficient time, you can also personalize or customize the rings to match your taste. Custom or complex-designed rings may take longer to produce, so plan early. You will ensure that you design and get a beautiful wedding ring that will forever stay a lovely memory!
Learn the basics of metals
Wedding bands are available in different types of metals, each with its unique characteristics:
Gold: Wedding rings are available in yellow, white, and rose gold, each in a different hue to suit individual personalities and multiple karat sizes. 14k and 18k gold are particularly popular choices among couples looking for rings to mark their unions.
Platinum: This metal is prized for its wear-resistance strength and hypoallergenic properties. Platinum remains one of the premier metals, and its beauty will remain undefeated over time.
Palladium: Although similar in appearance and price to platinum, palladium offers much lower prices yet similar durability characteristics.
Titanium and Tungsten: Both materials offer excellent durability, including scratch resistance. These pieces of jewelry can withstand even active lifestyles without succumbing to wear and tear, although resizing cannot be performed on them.
Consider your lifestyle
The most crucial aspect to consider when picking a wedding ring is your lifestyle. If you lead an active life and often work with your hands, such as on construction sites or gardening jobs, a platinum or titanium wedding band would likely be best.
On the other hand, if you want it to look traditional and aren't going to be doing something that can damage the ring, gold may be more appropriate for you.
Choose a style that compliments your engagement ring
When pairing wedding and engagement rings, select an ensemble that complements one another. This is crucial as it helps you create a harmonious look. It would help if you considered everything, such as matching metals and design elements, all the way through, creating an eye-catching unified appearance. For example, a vintage-style engagement ring is going to work well with an intricately detailed wedding band.
Think about ring profiles
A ring's profile refers to its appearance from any side view. Some examples of popular profiles for rings include:
Flat: Contemporary design gives an illusion of cleanliness with its flat top surface and edge detailing; D-shaped: Perfect if you are searching for classic yet comfortable pieces that are easy to wear.
Court: Court rings feature smooth surfaces rounded on both ends (inside and outside) for ultimate comfort. No wonder why it is more popular than other available options.
Concave: Boasting an inward-curving profile, it has a very modern appeal.
Finish Options
Your wedding ring's finish has an incredible impact on its appearance - some popular options for this are:
Polished: Shiny and elegant
Matte: Low reflection for more subdued looks
Hammered: Roughened texture creates a unique handcrafted look.
Brushed: This choice provides a satiny surface between these two options.
Consider Personalization
You can add personal touches to make your wedding ring even more meaningful, such as engraving the date, initials, or an inspirational quote. Some jewelers also offer options for adding gemstones or design elements that meet couples' styles for even further customization.
Ensure proper sizing
Get the right size for your wedding ring. Most jewelers offer free sizing services and will assist with finding that perfect fit. Because fingers may swell or contract due to changes in temperature or weight fluctuations, it is best to take measurements when your body is at normal temperature for ring sizing purposes.
Compare jewelers
Visit multiple jewelers, both physically and online, to get an idea of your options within your budget and compare pricing structures and inventory levels. Don't be intimidated into asking questions or seeking recommendations, as experienced jewelers will always be willing to assist and guide you through this process.
Consider warranty and maintenance
Prior to purchasing wedding rings from any jeweler, be sure to inquire about their warranty and maintenance services. Most jewelers offer a lifetime warranty and also provide after-sale services like cleaning, resizing, or even repair. Regular maintenance ensures that your rings remain in great shape even after many years.
Balance trends with timelessness
While trends may catch your imagination, they tend to fade away quickly. For that reason, it would be wiser to opt for timeless classic designs with plain bands or subtle details on rings instead.
Take time to research
Customer testimonials and ratings
Spend some time going over customer testimonials and ratings of jewelers you plan on buying from, especially ones you plan on visiting in person. Getting firsthand experience can give an excellent indication of their ring's quality as well as get a gist of their customer service.
Quality check
Make sure your wedding rings bear all necessary marks of quality and certifications that back them up. For example, gold rings should display 14k or 18k markings, while platinum should display PLAT or 950 to indicate it contains authentic metals and alloys. If your ring contains diamonds or gemstones, ask your jeweler or laboratory, such as GIA or AGS, for certification of the authenticity or purity of each gemstone.
Know your jeweler's return & exchange policy
Before shopping online for wedding rings, always inquire about the return and exchange policies available from jewelers. It can make all the difference when dealing with unsatisfactory products that do not live up to your expectations or in cases of size mismatches.
A flexible policy should enable you to return or exchange them if any are found unsuitable for use due to issues you discover later.
Conclusion
Shopping for wedding rings should be an exciting and meaningful part of your wedding planning experience. These helpful tips and tricks will surely guarantee beautiful rings that reflect the love and commitment in your relationship. Wedding rings represent more than mere jewelry, symbolizing eternal bonds while serving as precious reminders of that special day!
Now that you know how to shop for wedding rings, get started.