You went down on one knee, they said yes, and a date is set. Happy days! Fast forward to when the excitement of getting engaged has settled down, and you actually have to figure out the planning of all the details, and one big decision still needs to be made. The wedding bands! There are a lot of options for women, and little fuss was made over what band the groom wears, but that has changed.
Men are discovering that there are a lot of options out there for wedding bands, and they can custom create one which suits their exact personality and style. Bespoke wedding bands are not only chic but also a forever purchase, so it only makes sense that men are willing to put in the work to find a wedding band that they can cherish for life. In your search for the best jewelry website for custom-creating a wedding ring, you may have come across a multitude of options and ways to customize your wedding ring design. If the choices have got you feeling a little overwhelmed, here is all you need to figure out.
What is Your Budget
There are two ways to go about fixing a budget. You can set the budget and then look for options that fit within the set amount. Or you can see what metal, thickness, gemstones, and other customizations you want for your wedding ring and then see what amount will comfortably accommodate all that you want. Whichever way you choose to go about it, you want to make sure you get the best ring you can purchase for the amount you have set aside for the wedding ring. For this, you will have to compare websites and see which seller offers the best deal for what you have in mind. Take your time, check customer reviews, and speak to the store’s customer service. This should help you decide which store to buy from.
What is Your Style
Understanding what style of wedding ring appeals to you is important. Broadly speaking, there are two styles: one is the classic wedding ring which has a plain all-metal band but can have rounded or flat outer and inner surfaces, depending on what your preference is. The second option is a wedding ring with either diamonds or other colored gemstones set in a manner of your liking. You can get your birthstone set into the design of your ring for added symbolism or get a gemstone for its spiritual and healing properties.
What Shape Would You Like
The next step would be to decide what shape you would like for your ring. You can choose from the following:
- Classic Shape—This refers to a style where the inner surface and the outer surface are both slightly curved. This rounded design is most comfortable for wearing and removing the ring when you have wider knuckles.
- Flat Shaped—This refers to the style of the ring where both the outer and inner surfaces are flat. This gives a ring a very contemporary look and allows you to opt for wider bands.
- D-Shaped—This refers to a style where the outer surface is curved, but the inner surface is flat. The cross-section of the ring will resemble the letter ‘D’ and hence the name.
What Ring Width Do You Prefer
The width of men’s wedding rings traditionally starts at 4 mm and can go up to 8 mm. The price point of the wider rings will be more than that of slimmer rings. However, you can trade off the width with the metal to get the desired ring. For instance, you can get a white gold ring in a wider band instead of platinum, which would cost more for a similar width. Also, keep in mind that wider designs typically look good on longer fingers. There are no rules to your personal style, so choose what you think goes best with your lifestyle and looks good on your fingers.
What Is Your Choice for Metal
The choice of metal must be based on your personal preference and the kind of lifestyle you have. If you are outdoorsy, work with your hands, or frequently play sports, you might want to go for platinum or tungsten, which are hard, durable, and highly scratch resistant. If these are above your budget, you can always opt for yellow, white, or rose gold. Bear in mind that white gold needs upkeep in terms of rhodium polishing once every few years. However, yellow and rose gold do not require re-plating. Other metal options include palladium, tantalum, tungsten, stainless steel, and silver.
What Finish Do You Prefer
The surface of the wedding ring can be finished in a few different ways. You can pick from the following:
- High Polish—The outer and inner surfaces are polished to a high shine, and it is smooth and very reflective.
- Satin Finish—This is the intermediate between a matte and high-polish finish. It is smooth but not as reflective as the high-polish finish.
- Matte Finish—This is where there is fine texture on the surface of the ring. It gives a very distinctive look and helps cover minute scratches and other irregularities which can occur with wear.
- Brushed Finish—This is a type of finish where the texture is a bit more pronounced than the satin finish. It is called so because of the brushstroke-like appearance on the surface.
- Hammered Finish—This type of finish has the appearance of the ring being hammered, with little dimples all across the surface of the ring.
What Fit Would You Like
Deciding what fit you would like is very important. Since you are going to spend a larger chunk of time wearing the ring, you might as well make it fit your finger in a way that is comfortable for you. You can choose between a comfortable fit and a standard fit. Comfort fit is where the surfaces are rounded and sit a little looser on the finger. This makes it easy to remove it and wear it, especially if you work with your hands or have larger knuckles. Standard fit is when the ring sits snugly on your finger, and the inner surface is flat.
Also See: Best Wedding Cufflinks
What is Your Ring Size
The fit of your wedding ring has to be comfortable. The ring also should not slip off with sweat or vigorous activity. It is always good to get your ring size measured by a jeweler. There are many online ring sizing charts that you can download to figure out your ring size. A point to keep in mind is that you need to go one size up. The size of your fingers keeps changing during the day and with the seasons. So try a few different sizes on different days to find out what size feels most comfortable.
There you go! We hope this has answered all your questions about how to go about choosing a wedding ring for yourself or your significant other. Wedding rings do need upkeep, so get them cleaned and checked for wear and tear by a jeweler once every few years. Avoid contact with harsh chemicals, chlorine, and perfumes while wearing your ring, especially if they have gemstones set in them. When not wearing your ring, store it wrapped in fabrics like satin, velvet, or silk.
