You’ve decided that you’re ready to make the leap. Perhaps it will involve surprising your partner with a proposal, or maybe you’ve planned something together, but whatever the case — and if all goes as planned — you’re about to be engaged to be married!
Getting engaged means lots of things, but one thing it almost always means is that it’s time for you to start thinking about engagement rings and wedding bands.
For some, this can be one of the most exciting things about getting married, but for others it’s intimidating, even overwhelming! There are a lot of questions that need answering when selecting an engagement ring or wedding band, enough to make someone’s head spin:
- How much should I spend on an engagement ring or wedding band?
- Which metal is best for wedding rings?
- Should an engagement ring have a diamond? If not, what other gemstones make sense?
To a certain degree, these questions can really only be answered by you and your partner. Everyone’s tastes and desires are different! Some may feel that an 18K gold band with a dozen diamonds is the height of bridal style and elegance. Others may be drawn to a solitaire ring with their partner’s birthstone. Some couples are perfectly happy with a simple sterling silver band for each of them, with each abrasion sustained by the metal representing the challenges and resiliency of their relationship. All of these approaches are valid!
Still, while the choices are yours, there is plenty of basic engagement ring and wedding band knowledge that will help you make the right decision for you. By the time we’re done here, you’ll have the answers you need to select the ultimate symbol of your commitment, and will be able to approach any jewelry store (like our shop in Ann Arbor, for example!) with confidence.
What size ring do I wear, and what size does my groom/bride-to-be wear?
Somewhat surprisingly, this is probably the hardest question to answer, so let’s get it out of the way first!
Rings, for better or worse, are like blue jeans in that there’s no reliable, universal sizing system. One maker’s rings might fit completely different from that of another. Even if two shops are using the exact same measuring tool (known in the industry as a mandrel), there are differences in tooling which cause differences in the stated size. Also, one shop may determine ring size based on where the ring’s outer edge falls on the mandrel, while another uses the middle of the ring’s width to determine its size. To compound matters, the width of the ring and its interior profile will also impact the final fit.
This is why we strongly recommend that anyone seeking an engagement ring or wedding band work with a local brick-and-mortar jewelry store instead of ordering online. Any reputable shop will have measuring tools that can help you determine your size in their particular system. Our shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for example, offers a sizer system, wherein you wear a temporary sizer ring as a real life "test drive". These rings, intended to be worn for a week or two in the same way that you’d wear your real wedding band (all day, every day in most cases), allow you to see how your permanent ring will fit when your hands expand or contract depending on temperature, diet, and the like. This system works to get the size right for you the first time, which means less time in the repair shop and less stress on your new ring!
Putting this much time and effort into getting the size just right may seem persnickety to some. Aside from ensuring maximum comfort, though, it is also likely to save you money down the line! We’ve seen customers reject careful sizing only to come back within a month with problems. Whether they lost their ring because it was practically dangling off of their cold finger or they got it desperately stuck on their warm, swollen hand, let their trials be a cautionary example. Repair costs can add up quickly, so it’s better to get things right the first time!
What is a reasonable amount to pay for an engagement or wedding ring?
Perhaps more than any other question here, this is something only you can answer for yourself. There is no standard range for what is appropriate to pay for a ring. It’s possible to get a great ring you’ll love for under $500, but it is also possible to spend well over $10K!
First and foremost, it’s important to set a budget and stay as close to it as possible. Don’t let an unscrupulous salesperson bulldoze you into spending more than you can reasonably afford! At the same time, remember that you get what you pay for, and that you’re unlikely to get heirloom-quality jewelry without spending some money on it.
Many factors contribute to the cost of a wedding ring. These include, but are not limited to:
The metal. The price points of different metals (and in the case of gold, different purity levels, ie. 14k vs. 18k) are all over the map. Choosing a more budget-friendly metal like sterling silver can save you money upfront, although you may find that it costs more down the line. You can learn more about the different options in our blog entry ‘The ABCs of Jewelry Metals‘.
The gemstone(s). Natural diamonds are the standard stone for wedding and engagement rings because of their durability and beauty, but that is also why they — along with other popular precious gemstones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds — are not cheap. There are lots of other options, many of which we explore in our blog entry ‘The ABCs of Jewelry Gemstones‘.
The means of production. Even today, most rings are made through the ancient process of lost-wax casting. In this process, a wax model is created either by traditional hand carving, or in more recent years grown using Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) processes and 3D printing (offering even more precision for stone settings and other design particularities). The wax is then encased in plaster and melted away to create the cavity in which the molten metal is cast. The fine metal finishing work is then done by hand under a loupe or microscope.
Name brand designers. Having an established name attached to your ring can bring with it an increased confidence in quality, a commitment to individual craftsmanship and quality, and sometimes even a lifetime guarantee!
As you can see, a lot goes into picking the perfect engagement and wedding rings! We hope that this article sheds some light on the subject. If you have more questions, though, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask! Our staff — and really, any jeweler worth their salt — is committed to helping you find the engagement and wedding rings that are right for you and your partner, and are more than happy to guide you through the process. Good luck, and let us be the first to say congratulations!