Wedding Rings | Engagement Rings

Wedding rings

Try to choose a wedding ring that is similar in shape and material to your engagement ring. Check that the gold is the same carat, and also that they fit snugly and don’t rub against each other. Ordering your wedding ring at least eight to 10 weeks before the wedding is a good idea, in case it has to be altered. Increasingly, grooms are wearing wedding rings, and matching bride and groom sets are available. Visit a well-established jeweller who can help you make your decision.

At the ceremony, the wedding rings are traditionally looked after by the bestman until they are needed. Alternatively, a ring bearer carries the rings tied onto a cushion. Sometimes pretend rings are used, while the bestman has the real ones.

Engagement ring

Many couples are now opting to choose their engagement ring together. When choosing a ring, take colouring and shape of the hand into consideration. Tall and long-fingered people suit large rings, while smaller people tend to suit simple shapes. Gold is the traditional metal for engagement and wedding rings. It varies in colour according to the other metals mixed with it – from white, to yellow, to re-gold. Platinum, a natural white metal, is very hard wearing and is often combined with diamonds.

A carat is the standard measure of gold and precious stones. It indicates the quantity of other metal included to make gold stronger and harder wearing. Pure gold is considered too soft for continuous ring wear; 24 carats is pure gold; 22 carats is 22 parts gold and two parts other metals; 18 carats is 18 parts gold and six part other, and so on. For precious stones, 1 carat is 0.20 and is a measure of weight not quality.

Birthstones

Consider an antique ring, or one with your birthstone. An engagement ringset with your birthstone traditionally brings good luck.