Congratulations! You're getting married!
Whether your engagement proposal was a surprise or if you
selected the ring with your fiance, finding a wedding band should be easier
than the search for the ideal engagement ring. For many men, their wedding band
could be the only jewelry they'll ever wear, so take time to choose a ring that
would fit your style.
If your wedding is small and simple affair or a major,
extravagant undertaking your wedding band will stay with you long after the
wedding day, and should be chosen carefully. Whether you and your fiance choose
to get matching rings or to select individual styles nowadays there are a lot
of different options for a man's wedding band. Among things to consider is the
width of the band. Traditionally, wife's wedding band has always been the wider
or the two, but each family makes their own traditions, and if the groom
prefers the wider band that could just be the perfect choice for you.
Though men might not be eager to look at jewelry, you
should remember that you'll be wearing your wedding band for a long time and it
should be something that you'll like no matter how much time has passed or how
much fashions have changed. For starters you should take a look at a basic,
plain metal band. If you're looking for something a bit more intricate take a
look at bands with subtle or more perceptible design elements, like a
decorative design running along the edge of the ring, also known as milgrain,
or a more prominent braid running through the ring. For the most elaborate
wedding rings, take a look at the channel set diamond rings, which offer both
gorgeous, elegant design and protective setting for diamonds. Remember, no
matter what style you choose, the ring should be comfortable for continuing
wear. One of the suggested styles for more secure and easy wear is the
"comfort-fit" band, where the edges of the ring are slightly curved.
It is also very important not to forget that any ring
style should complement the shape and size of the hand that it is going to
adorn. The simplest tip for choosing the rings is that wider bands will add
width to your fingers and hand, and longer rings will add to the length of your
hand. The bands with flatter appearance, those with diagonal design as well as
those with light, open, wide spaced designs usually look better on slim, narrow
hands.
If you've chosen a diamond ring, you should remember that
smaller hands will look better with rings that contain multiple smaller stones,
while larger hands will be complimented by a single large stone.
Learn more about Diamonds.
It is important to see what metal both of you usually
wear, but even if your styles do not entirely match there are a number of
characteristics that could help you in this choice:
Yellow Gold
The most common and classic choice for the wedding bands
Yellow Gold is less expensive than White Gold or Platinum and has a warmer
appearance. When considering your lifestyle it is important to know that it is
a lot softer and more easily damaged than Platinum. For those reasons it will
wear away over time, but is easier to repair and polish than other metals. Gold
is available in 14, 18 and 24 Karat (K), the larger the K the larger the
percentage of gold in the alloy, the more golden in color the ring will be.
White Gold
Though White Gold is less expensive than Platinum it
still has a similar sparkle and cool brilliance. Just like Yellow Gold it is a
lot softer and more easily damaged than Platinum, but unlike Yellow Gold it
will loose its silverish appearance and will need to be brought to the jeweler
for a rhodium treatment about ones a year. Though it will wear away over time
it is relatively easy to repair and polish. Just as with Yellow Gold, White
Gold also comes in 14, 18 and 24 Karat (K).
Platinum
Platinum is the most expensive of the jewelry metals but,
lasting and enduring like your love, it is also the strongest of them. It is
very durable and highly resistant to damage and unlike Gold it will not wear
away or loose its color. However it isn't indestructible, and because of its
strength and durability it is hard to repair or polish.
Mixed Metals
If you're having a problem compromising on a single
metal, you might consider rings of mixed metals. No matter what color of metal
you usually wear, rings of mixed metal would go with any jewelry you already
own and will be an interesting and unusual choice.
Learn more about Jewelry Metals.