Wedding Rings

A Statement of Style and Longevity

Your eyes dance from one colorful, brilliant display to the next. You feel the warmth from the case lights on your hands as you point to several gorgeous possibilities. You hear pieces of a soft discussion between the couple to your left. You notice everyone is smiling. Your fiancé’s gentle nudge brings you back to reality… a sales person is explaining your wedding-ring options. They seem endless, but you’ve done your homework. You are prepared to be a smart wedding-ring consumer.

Your wedding ring, perhaps the most important piece of jewelry you will ever own, is both a symbol of everlasting love and a tangible reminder of your wedding vows. Since you will likely wear it every day for the rest of your life, select a ring made of high-quality materials with a style that reflects your personality and commitment. You’ll also want to know how to care for it to keep it looking brand new for years to come.

Choose a timeless style. From contemporary to classic, simple to sophisticated, numerous wedding-ring styles are available. They can easily be divided into two categories… rings without stones and rings with stones. Many couples choose one ring style for both husband and wife; thus it is important to find something that best suits both people. The most popular styles include plain bands, twisted or beaded bands, two-tone bands, solitaire rings, solitaires with side stones and three-stone rings.

Choose the metal you prefer. Wedding rings are generally made of precious metals; the standard is gold, with titanium and platinum as popular choices, too. Gold in its most pure form, 24 karat (24k), is also the softest. When selecting a gold wedding ring, consider 18k to prevent scratches and other wear-related damage. An 18k-gold ring is 75 percent gold and 25 percent metal alloys, which give it strength. Gold comes either in its traditional color or as white gold. Titanium, similar in appearance to white gold, is a very strong, lightweight metal—making it a great choice for jewelry. Pure titanium is also 100 percent hypo-allergenic, which makes it a safe alternative for people whose skin reacts to other metals. Titanium cannot be soldered, however, so titanium rings cannot be resized and prong settings must be made with another metal. Platinum, a very dense and heavy metal, is extremely long lasting. Platinum rings are made of almost-pure (90-95 percent) platinum. As a result, a platinum ring will feel heavier than one of gold or titanium. Platinum, considerably more expensive than either of the other options, is incredibly resistant to damage and won’t tarnish.

Decide on a stone. Depending on the style you choose, one or more precious stones may be incorporated into your ring. Be sure to consider the stone’s durability and resistance to everyday damage. While softer stones, like amethyst and opal, are beautiful, they may not be the best choices for a wedding ring. The Mohs Scale of Hardness rates a stone’s ability to resist scratches; a diamond (at ten on the scale) is the strongest, and talc (at one on the scale) is the weakest. Anything less than seven is not recommended for a wedding ring. The most durable stones for wedding rings are diamonds, sapphires and rubies (the latter two rate nine on the scale). Next in durability are aquamarine, emerald, topaz and garnet.

Be creative. Seeking an alternative to jewelry-store rings? Try exploring antique stores for a vintage wedding-ring set, or commission a pair of wooden rings. You can work with an independent jeweler to design and fabricate a ring set unique to you and your fiancée. Or, if you’re not afraid of pain, have a special ring design tattooed on your finger. Now that’s everlasting love!

Care for your rings. With special care and treatment, your wedding rings can remain as stunningly beautiful as they are the day you exchange them.

Some helpful tips

Clean your diamond regularly with an approved cleaner; ask your jeweler for suggestions.
Do not let your ring come in contact with chlorine bleach.
Remove your ring during rough activities or sports that present a high risk of loss, like swimming.
Store your ring in a lined jewelry case or compartment when you are not wearing it.
Check and repair loose settings and have your ring professionally cleaned at least once a year by taking it to a reputable jeweler (preferably at the store where you bought it).
Insure your wedding rings, either by adding a rider onto your homeowner’s policy or by taking an insurance policy out with a company that specializes in jewelry insurance.