Ten Things to Consider When Purchasing Wedding Rings

There are some basic principles that can be applied to any jewelry purchase, but since wedding rings are special there are extra shopping tips to follow. When buying your wedding ring, you must consider jewelry buying basics, for example ,when buying wedding rings you must buy a band capable of lasting for years. Read the 10 commandments below to help you find, purchase and take care of your wedding rings.

1) Choose Your Metal and Style

This might be the only piece of jewelry you will buy together and wear forever, so take the time to talk about what you want and can agree on. Do you want white or gold metal? You want yellow gold, because it will match the bulk of your other jewelry, but your husband-to-be is also wanting to match the white metal of his watch, so what do you do? It’s simple, compromise and search for rings that have a mixture of both yellow and white gold to please you both. Once you decide your metal, you should think about how elaborate you want your rings. WIll you want gems or diamonds?

2) Budgeting is Key

The plainest of gold bands runs around $125 to $200 per band, and ones of more precious metals, like platinum, are closer to $400 or $600 per band. The Diamond Information Center reports the average cost of a band is $742. When you engrave the inside of your wedding band it can cost between $1-8 per character, depending on which font you pick and what method you pick for engraving.

3) Make Time

Don’t wait too long. You should start looking for wedding bands at least two months before the big day. Take time and look for your ring and reconsider all your options. If you are considering a custom piece you will want to allow even more time. It can take as much as 30 days to have a piece engraved.

4) Think Practical and Keep Your Lifestyle In Mind

There’s no point in buying a beautiful ring that doesn’t feel good on your finger or that you’re going to feel you need to remove. You need to remember that you will wear this band everyday. You should try to pick a ring that fits into your life without disruption. Try to avoid wide chunky bands if you lead an active lifestyle instead opt for a thinner band. If you work with your hands, you may want to consider a simple design, rather than a diamond engagement ring that will continually trap dirt. If certain metals or combinations of metals irritate your skin, spend the money and buy platinum rings. The fact that it is hypoallergenic for the average person, due to its purity, makes it a good choice.

5)Do the 20 Year Test

When choosing your ring, don’t be afraid to step outside the box, but make sure whatever you choose is something that you’ll love for years to come.

6) Choosing the Right Size

Note that most people don’t take their wedding bands off, even through summers, winters, exercise, pregnancies, or menstruation, all of which make fingers swell and contract from heat, cold, water retention and weight gain – so be smart, think about the size for all conditions.

7) Know the Quality

It cannot be emphasised enough – with all rings, check for quality! On the inside of the ring, the shank, there should be some markings. There should be a manufacturer’s trademark, a sponsors symbol, the mineral content in fineness and finally which metal – gold, silver or platinum. Make sure it has these markings. If two or more metals were used in the construction of the ring, there needs to be a quality mark for each one.

Cleaning Guidelines

You can clean your wedding rings easily. To clean a ring that has no stones, simply rub it with a soft and lint-free cloth, such as chamois. You can remove tarnish with a solution of soap, water with a few drops of ammonia. Dip a brush into the solution then gently brush the ring. Making sure the drain plug is used, rinse the ring, then dry with a soft cloth. With warm soapy water brush your ring and stones with a soft brush, rinse and dry with a cloth

9) Protect Your Jewelry

You should use care when wearing finger-hugging valuables such as platinum! You can do things to reduce damage to your ring. Don’t wear your ring whilst you are doing rough work or sports as they can nick and scratch it, and don’t wear your ring whilst using chemicals such as concentrated chlorine (found in bleaches, cleaners and swimming pool disinfectants) as they can cause pitting or discoloration. Matte finishes show scratches much more than rough finishes, and platinum, which is much softer than gold, scratches and nicks more easily. Fortunately, it’s simple for your jeweler to restore you ring to its original splendor by reapplying or changing its finish and/or plating.

10) Wear Your Jewelry

Don’t take your ring off because it is easier to lose than you might think. When buying your ring, make sure it’s something you won’t need to remove very often if at all. Have a designated place where you always put your ring when you need to remove it for some reason, and keep it out of your pockets and away from sinks. A cat can help a ring end up down the drain. Removing your ring while you’re traveling is the most dangerous time to do so. It’s when you’re traveling that you’re most likely to set down, lose or forget your ring. The insurance industry states that you have the highest chance of damaging or losing your wedding rings during the first year that you own them.

3 Tips To Select The Best Wedding Ring

Wedding rings have an ancient history. Couples in ancient Egypt used to exchange rings made of reeds as a symbol of their undying love. The wedding ring comprises the most traditional aspect of a marriage. Being the most important part of a wedding ceremony, it symbolizes a couple’s promise to love and honor each other for the rest of their lives.

Modern wedding rings are usually made of precious metals such as gold and platinum. Most couples wear it on the fourth finger of their left hand, also known as the ring finger. The pratise of wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is based on the age-old belief that this finger has a direct connection to the heart. A vein, believed to originate in the fourth finger, is believed to lead to the heart. After researching the circulatory system thoroughly, medical scientists have said that there is no truth in this belief. In spite of this, the practise of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger prevails although some people have now started wearing their wedding rings on their right hands.

Wedding rings are emblematic of everlasting love and commitment, which is why you should purchase a ring made of top-quality material. Your ring should last as long as your marriage and that is several years.

Consider the following factors when you go shopping for a wedding ring:

1. Budget

Fix a budget for your ring. If you know the limits of your budget, you can save plenty of time choosing from a collection of rings within that price range.

2. Material

Wedding rings are made of a variety of material. Determine the type of wedding ring you would like to purchase within your established budget.

The most traditional wedding rings are made of gold. You can purchase a ring of yellow, pink, white, or green gold. Different qualities of gold are also available.

Platinum is the finest, rarest, and purest of all precious metals. In addition, it is strong, heavy, and resistant. Platinum wedding rings are good for daily wear because they are hypoallergenic, resist tarnish, and don’t wear off easily. However, platinum is costlier than gold.

Diamond wedding rings are vastly popular because diamonds are the loveliest, hardest, and most expensive gems ever known to humankind. Their dazzling purity, beauty, and durability is symbolic of eternal love. The amount you will have to spend on a diamond, however, depends on its cut, color, clarity, and weight.

You can also purchase rings of titanium, nickel, silver, tungsten carbide with precious stones such as ruby, emerald, sapphire, and topaz set in them.

3. Style and Design

Select the appropriate style and design. Wedding rings are available in a number of designs such as celtic or Irish, vintage and antique rings, designer rings, custom, traditional, beaded edges, and engraved rings.

Visit a number of stores before you make a purchase. Compare various patterns, designs, materials, qualities, and the price ranges.

Seek the advise of an expert. A jeweller of great repute can give you excellent advice on the purchase of wedding rings. Remember that your wedding ring, while reflecting your character and personality, should fit comfortably on your finger.

A wedding ring is not just an accessory. It is a traditional symbol of love and commitment. So purchase your wedding ring with care.