Don’t Know Where To Start? Relax: We’ve Got You Covered With Our Guide to Women’s Wedding Band Styles
Wedding planning–it can be a lot of fun, but a ton of work. In the midst of picking DJs and perfecting seating arrangements, you also have to figure out the wedding bands you’ll be wearing for the rest of your lives as a couple. You want to make sure you know everything you can about wedding ring styles, and it can be overwhelming. This style guide will give you all the basics to help you feel confident choosing a stylish and timeless ring.
You might already have an engagement ring, or your wedding band could be the only ring you choose to wear to symbolize your bond. But no matter your choice, our first piece of advice is to look at your jewelry collection. It’s important that your wedding band doesn’t deviate too far from your other accessories. Otherwise that favorite necklace or pair of earrings might get left in the jewelry box if it doesn’t go well with your new ultimate accessory. This is especially important if you are choosing to wear an engagement ring to compliment your wedding band.
Ultimately, you want to make sure your wedding band meshes well with your engagement ring. You don’t want your rings fighting for attention on your hand. This can create a disjointed look that will really throw off your bridal shoot. Deciding which to be the focal point of your look is important to do early on in the process. A more subdued engagement ring means you can add lots of diamonds and flair to your wedding band. Similarly, a traditional wedding band pairs well with an extravagant engagement ring. The choice is up to you on which ring you want leading your look, or if you want to go big and bold with both!
A Quick Guide to Precious Metals
First things first, let’s take a look at a basic, but influential component to your design: the metal.
Gold wedding bands are classic, timeless, and currently the most popular option. While gold doesn’t corrode, it is pretty fragile on its own. That’s why the gold used in gold wedding bands isn’t pure gold, but instead a gold alloy. Gold bands come in a variety of alloys that offer a range of colors. Most popular are the classic yellow gold wedding band, the coppery rose gold wedding band, and the brilliant white gold wedding band.
Platinum wedding bands are one color–a bright, lustrous white–but they’re becoming increasingly popular. Platinum is rarer than gold, making it the more expensive of the two metals. It’s also more durable, and just as resistant to tarnishing.
Wedding Band Shapes and Styles
With the metal decided, it's on to the style of the band. In the most simple terms, it's the shape and overall look of your piece. Some are traditional, others are trendy, but they’re all beautiful. The style you pick will give your ring its identity. And it’s a fun way to incorporate some symbolism into your ring.
Stackable Wedding Rings
Stackable wedding rings are a great example of how to use rings to commemorate specific milestones or things you treasure. The idea is that they’re made to sit well with each other or even interlink in ways, so that as your marriage progresses you can add more bands of different colors, metals, or with different stones. If you like to be creative, and hate the thought that this might be the last ring you ever need, it's a good choice. They put a fun and romantic twist on tradition.
Chevron Wedding Rings and Contour Wedding Bands
Now let’s look at some popular ring shapes. Obviously, the classic circle will forever be the timeless symbol of unbroken love. But there are some increasingly popular ring shapes to consider. The chevron wedding band incorporates a single peak, meant to symbolize prosperity, hope and a new chapter in life. Chevron rings pair particularly nicely with engagement rings that feature a pear cut, marquise cut, or other pointed diamond.
Contour wedding bands incorporate a waved pattern that speaks to the long journey you and your partner will take together, full of twists and turns. They are typically made to ‘hug’ the stone of your engagement ring, and create a cohesive look for your bridal set. Deviating from the traditional circle in these ways can add a subtle design touch, and when the engagement ring has a similar shape they complement one another quite well.
Show-Stopping Sparkle: Diamond Wedding Bands
Nothing beats diamonds. And while everyone knows an engagement ring needs a center stone, the same isn’t always said about wedding bands. But at Ken K we say, the more diamonds the better. As diamond experts we know the best ways to showcase diamonds in your wedding band with style. Like the love you and your partner share, your diamond band will last for generations if you look after it with care and attention.
Eternity Wedding Bands
The diamond eternity band is a powerful symbol of enduring love. Impressive and eye-catching, this style incorporates diamonds into the band all the way around for a full, radiant effect. They typically feature more prominent stones than other styles. The number of stones in an eternity band may also reflect something of significance to the wearer. The eternity wedding band is a great way to maximize the brilliance of your bridal set.
Pave Wedding Bands
The pave wedding band gets its name from the French word for ‘paved’. Looking at the design, it's easy to see why. Tiny diamonds are arranged in delicate rows to resemble a cobblestone pattern, symbolizing the path you and your partner walk together.
Though it’s covered in diamonds, pave stones are set very close to the band, so they won’t stick out and snag on things as you go about your day. Subtle pave diamonds enhance the sparkle of your engagement ring without drawing too much attention away from it, so if you want to show off your original rock, a pave band may be the best way to do it!
Get Colorful: Gemstone Wedding Rings
When we think of wedding bands, we tend to envision plain metal bands or classic diamonds, but your band can be as unique as your love story! Colored gemstones are an increasingly popular choice in wedding bands. Stud your band with a particular color of gemstone or intermingle colored stones with diamonds for a gorgeous contrasting effect.
If you decide to go for a bold and beautiful gemstone wedding band, be sure to consider the hardness of the gemstone you'd like to use. You will be wearing your wedding ring every day for the rest of your life, so be sure to pick a gemstone that can hold up against daily wear. Diamonds are, of course, the hardest stone, but sapphires, rubies and emeralds make hardy alternatives if you're looking for color.
Come Find your Wedding Band at Ken K Thompson Jewelers in Bemidji, Minnesota!
Choosing a wedding band is a lot of fun, but it can be overwhelming. Some people want show-stopping sparklers, while others seek out subtle but beautiful bands. Whatever your style, we hope this article was a good introduction into the world of wedding bands, and that it’s been helpful in your decision.
If you had fun reading this, and have more questions, we invite you to visit us at Ken K Thompson Jewelers in Bemidji, Minnesota to talk with our jewelry experts. We're here to help you find a ring you'll treasure for the rest of your life!