Choosing
The Perfect Wedding Ring
- by KissMeGoodnight.com
The
wedding ring is perhaps the single most important piece
of jewelry that you will give to your spouse
in your lifetime. It is important that you choose a timeless
ring that will not become outdated or unstylish after a length
of time. Men and women have different options available to
them when choosing a wedding ring and it is not required that
they choose matching rings. The couple traditionally picks
out their rings together so there is no need for either the
bride or groom to become unnecessarily stressed out about choosing
the perfect wedding ring. Choosing the rings together takes
a great deal of pressure off of the couple because they do
not have to worry that their spouse may not like the ring that
is expected to last for their entire lifetime.
The
material of the ring is an important consideration for
both men’s and women’s rings. The most common materials include
gold, silver and platinum although the rings can be made of
any material that the couple chooses. Gold is the most popular
wedding ring material. Gold can be 14 karat gold, 18 karat
gold and 24 karat gold. Of these three options 14 karat gold
is the type that is most recommended for wedding rings. 14
karat gold is durable without sacrificing luster. 18 karat
gold can also be used for wedding rings but because it is a
softer metal it is more prone to scratches. 24 karat gold is
even softer than 18 karat gold and many do not recommended
creating rings out of 24 karat gold because it is so prone
to scratches. Silver is another metal that can also be used
in creating a wedding ring. Silver is a soft white metal that
is very soft and therefore prone to scratching. Additionally
it is also prone to tarnishing and discolorations but it is
still a popular choice because of its relatively low cost.
Platinum is a precious metal that is becoming increasingly
popular as wedding ring material. Although platinum is considered
too soft to be used in making rings, small amounts of ruthenium
and iridium can be added to platinum to increase the hardness
and result in a wedding ring that is extremely durable.
After
choosing a metal for the wedding ring, it is time to consider
the style of the ring. When it comes to style there
are even more options available then there are for metals.
Some of the basic wedding ring styles include flat bands, half-round
bands and comfit bands. A flat band is one that is rectangular
in cross section. These types of bands are also decorated with
engravings. Half-round bands are the most traditional style
available. These bands are flat on the underside or against
the finger and have an arched structure on the top. Comfort-fit
bands feature an oval cross section and they are heavier and
more expensive than the other types of rings. If a bride intends
to wear her wedding band with her engagement ring, she should
consider choosing a wedding band style that matches her engagement
ring so that neither one overpowers the other.
Once
you have decided on a metal and style, it is time to choose
whether or not to engrave your wedding ring. A good
jeweler should be capable of engraving anything you want onto
your ring including letters, numbers and symbols. Many couples
choose to have their names or initial along with the wedding
date engraved on the inside of the ring. This is not necessary
though as the couple is not required to have the rings engraved.
If the couple does opt for engraving though, they must realize
that they can choose to engrave anything they wish on the rings.
It could either be names and the wedding date or a phrase that
has significant meaning to the couple.
The wedding ring is a very important piece of jewelry because
it is meant to be worn for a lifetime. When choosing a wedding
ring the material of the ring, the style of the ring and whether
or not to include an engraved sentiment are just a few of the
factors to consider. Shopping for a wedding ring can be a wonderful
experience if the couple makes an effort to enjoy the experience
instead of stressing about it.
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KissMeGoodnight.com : 2005
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