When purchasing jewelry, you need to consider a few factors to ensure that what you get not only fits you but is also pleasing to the eye. However, when it comes to engagement and wedding rings, it’s understandable that you would want to take more things into consideration than just the fit and design.
Apart from being a symbol of the love you share with your partner, it’s something that both of you are going to possess for the rest of your lives. As such, you’ll need to find the perfect rings for you and your future spouse.
If you’re not sure how to choose the best wedding rings for women to buy for your loved one, here are a few important factors to consider:
1. Ring metal
One of the first things you should consider when you go ring shopping is the type of metal. Remember, this is one of the biggest investments you’ll make as a couple. Therefore, it’s important that you choose pieces that will not only serve your fashion needs but that can also withstand the test of time. You’ll want wedding rings made from material that won’t wear out after many years.
So, what are some of the metals to consider in your decision-making process? Common options include gold, platinum, titanium, and palladium. Between all the available choices, you’ll definitely find something that fits your needs. Of course, you should be sure to do research on all the metal options so that you can thoroughly assess their features before purchasing the rings.
For now, here are brief descriptions for the metals mentioned above:
- Gold
Gold is one of the most popular materials in this industry, and it comes in three forms—yellow, white, and rose. So, you have the option to choose among different colors, especially if you or your partner are particular about matching your rings with other pieces of jewelry.
This metal is regarded as a sign of luxury, but you’ll need to be careful when selecting bands of this material. With gold, a higher karat doesn’t necessarily guarantee the best quality. On the contrary, rings with a higher karat tend to bend or scratch more easily. Rings with a lower karat, on the other hand, are often stronger because they’re alloys with other metals, like copper and silver.
- Platinum
If you consider your love with your partner to be precious and rare, platinum might be the best metal to symbolize that, as it’s one of the rarest metals across the globe. Being a very strong metal, it can handle wear and tear better than pure gold. It’s also able to hold other materials together for the longest time possible. However, all these features make it an expensive option, so it would be best to save up first if you want to go with platinum rings.
- Palladium
If platinum is out of your budget range but you’d still like something with similar features, then palladium might be a great option. Although its durability doesn’t exactly match up to platinum’s, it comes very close, and it features a mirror-like finish. However, palladium rings would have to be well taken care of, as the material is prone to getting scratches easily. Additionally, it may be challenging to resize.
- Titanium
Titanium is a great option for men’s wedding bands. It was once used in industrial processes because of its strength, and that feature can be important in wedding rings. If you or your spouse aren’t used to wearing jewelry, titanium is the perfect option because of its lightweight nature. It’s also scratch-resistant and requires minimal maintenance to keep it looking good throughout the years. However, it’s almost impossible to resize, which might be a deal breaker for some people.
2. Your spouse’s needs
Another important factor to keep in mind when shopping for wedding rings is your spouse’s preferences. Remember, this isn’t a one-person decision; you’ll both be wearing these rings for the rest of your lives. So, you’ll want to get a pair that makes both of you happy.
For one, most people—especially women—prefer a ring that matches most of the jewelry they already own. Be sure to understand the needs of your partner in that regard. It’s also prudent to purchase something that reflects you and your spouse’s lifestyle and personality. Consider whether you both prioritize comfort or whether you’re more concerned with style.
3. Your budget
Your budget is one of the most crucial things to consider in your wedding ring hunt. Nobody looks forward to spending an exorbitant amount of money, but they also don’t want their decision to work against them in the long run if they decide to get the cheapest ring they find. Though it might not be something you want to think about, it’s recommended that your budget take the front seat in ring shopping, whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or a wedding ring.
To have an idea of how much it should be, you can start by confirming other people’s average spending on wedding rings. This way, you’ll know what range to work with as you visit stores. On average, a groom typically spends around USD$572 on his wedding ring, but there are those who’ve found ways to cut that value by over half.
It’s worth noting that the price of a wedding ring is determined by many factors. First, the type of metal you choose will have a huge impact on how much you’ll be spending. Plain gold bands can cost anything between USD$100 and USD$200. However, if you’re planning to go for precious metals like platinum, you should be ready to spend upwards of USD$400 per band.
The total budget should also include engraving. Depending on the metal and the professional you hire, you could be charged anything between USD$1 and USD$10 per character. The method of engraving and the font you pick will also play a role in the total cost.
Conclusion
Planning a wedding can be very draining, especially when deciding on important aspects, such as the theme, venue, number of guests, and rings. Wedding rings symbolize the love shared by two partners and the idea of living together as one for the rest of their lives. As such, it plays a huge role in the wedding and, hence, should be given the seriousness it deserves. So, when you go shopping for them, keep the above factors in mind.
References:
“The Pros and Cons of Titanium Wedding Rings.” Hitched. Published: April 7, 2016. URL: https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/bridalwear-articles/titanium-wedding-rings/
“What’s An Appropriate Amount To Spend On An Engagement Ring?” CNBC. Last modified: June 16, 2022. URL: https://www.cnbc.com/select/how-much-to-spend-on-engagement-ring/
“Which Type Of Ring Metal Should You Choose?” Brides. Last modified: May 2, 2022. URL: https://www.brides.com/ring-metals-5070639
