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Have you thought about wedding bands yet? While the highest wedding jewellery cost is typically the engagement ring, wedding bands are also a budgetary factor. Wedding bands become fixtures in your lives, providing a constant reminder of your love and commitment.
How much should you spend on wedding bands? And what kinds of bands might work best for you?
In this article, we’ll look at the factors that determine the prices of different styles of wedding bands. Some metals are much more expensive than others, and as you learn about the metals’ attributes, you may decide that the extra expense is worth it. Or maybe not. You also may discover new styles or metals that suit your needs and could save you money. Let’s get started.
When it comes to engagement rings, much of the discussion centres around the diamond or another prominent gemstone. But for wedding bands, precious metals take centre stage.
Let’s take a look at the most common precious metals used in wedding bands.
Over the past decade or two, white gold has been one of the top choices for wedding bands, and it’s easy to see why. Its lustrous white sheen flatters most skin tones, and it shows diamonds off beautifully.
Rhodium plating gives white gold its colouring, and sometimes this plating wears off. If you work with your hands or want a low-maintenance wedding band, white gold may not be the best option. In some cases, the rhodium plating must be replaced to restore the ring to its original lustre.
Traditional and regal, yellow gold is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Unlike white gold, yellow gold isn’t plated, so it’s considered more durable. Since yellow gold is an alloy, you’ll find different shades, from a light buttery cream to bright brass.
Whilst popular in Asia and the Middle East, pure gold is very soft and needs to be very thick to avoid warping, so the gold must be combined with another metal for hardness. When looking at gold wedding bands, remember that 18k gold contains more pure gold than 14k gold. The higher the number, the purer (and softer) the piece. Look for a 750 or 18ct Hallmark stamped on the inside of the ring.
When yellow gold is combined with copper, the result is a rosy precious metal we refer to as rose gold. Romantic and eye-catching rose gold may be used as accents or as the primary metal on a wedding band. Some choose to use 9ct rose gold as it is pinker.
Considered the premier precious metal for wedding jewellery, platinum is pure, hypo-allergenic, resistant to scratches and absolutely gorgeous. Because it’s such a hard metal, it’s perfect for an active lifestyle. There’s one drawback to its hardness, however: it can be difficult to resize. Still, if you want a wedding band that will stand the test of time and look elegant on your hand, consider platinum.
Less expensive than the metals mentioned above, titanium doesn’t tarnish or scratch easily. One of its most exciting attributes is that it’s extremely, even eerily, lightweight. You’ll hardly notice its presence on your finger. It’s one of the more affordable precious metals, but it’s very durable and looks handsome.
If titanium is unusually light, tungsten weighs in at the opposite end of the scale. It’s hefty, perfect for gentlemen who love the feel of a substantial ring on their fingers.
Another affordable wedding band metal, tungsten is one of the hardest metals we know of. In fact, it’s nearly as hard as diamonds. This attribute makes it challenging to engrave, but it’s perfect for someone who works with his hands all day. Tungsten comes in a variety of colours as well, including black, grey and white, and it can be plated with other colours, like green or blue.
Some people prefer simple, classic bands, but others want to show off their personality through their wedding bands. What can you do to make your wedding band unique?
Some of these details, such as engraving and hammering, are relatively inexpensive. They offer a way to customise without breaking your budget. Others, like diamond-encrusted engagement ring wraps, can run as high as the engagement ring itself. Set a budget before you shop for wedding bands, both to narrow your options and to avoid buyer’s remorse.
Consider some of these detailing features.
This popular wedding band features a rounded interior and an oval cross-section. Because your skin is exposed only to the rounded interior, the ring feels comfortable as your hands move throughout the day.
Sometimes called “Eternity Rings,” this style has a channel cut into the centre of the ring, and the channel is filled with small diamonds lined up in a row. The channel might go all the way around the circle, or it may span just part of the circumference.
A hand-hammered finish breaks the tension of a polished ring and gives a wedding band an organic feel. You can choose the size of the hammer to vary the look according to your taste. A hand-hammered wedding band is distinctive and unique.
Back in Medieval times, lovers inscribed lines of poetry on the insides of posey rings, and this tradition continues today. You can engrave wedding bands on the exterior or interior with words and symbols. There’s no better way to personalise a ring to make it truly your own.
Coloured gemstones, such as sapphires, emeralds and rubies can represent a birth date, anniversary, or the birth of a child. When set in a thin wedding band, they can also be worn with an engagement ring on the left hand. This can be a fantastic way to add to an engagement ring years after the wedding is over. Stack your bands for a contemporary, custom look.
When you find the perfect wedding bands, insure them with Q Report jewellery insurance. With our comprehensive cover, your band will be protected from the unexpected. Get a quote today.
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This has not taken cut, colour, clarity or carat, your financial situation or your partners taste into account. There are many factors that can reduce or increase the value of an engagement ring.
Speak with one of our Q Certified Jewellers to find out what you can afford, what your partner is looking for and what will financially work best for you.
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