5 Tips on How To Buy Wedding Rings
Long after the wedding photos are stored away, your
wedding rings will remain a visible and beautiful reminder of the day
you wed, the vows you took, and your enduring marriage. To ensure the
shiny wedding rings you select remain as cherished on your 50th anniversary as
on your wedding day, consider these factors before you buy:
1) Know Your Jewelry Style
Are most of your
clothes classic, contemporary, or casual? Do designer labels fill your
closet? Choose a wedding ring style that complements your wardrobe, and
you'll have a ring that matches your look and life-style. Well-known and
talented jewelry designers creating some of the most artful wedding rings
around today include Henry Dunay, Whitney Boin, Christian Bauer,
Reinstein & Ross, and Alex Sepkus.
2) Decide on a Precious Metal
Gold or platinum? It might seem a simple
choice, but there are things to consider if you pick gold wedding rings. First there's
color: Do you prefer yellow gold? White ? Or rosy-pink? Then there's
the amount of gold content, which ranges from standard 14k, to finer
18k, to 22-24k (which can be too soft to hold a shape over the years).
Platinum, today's "hot" metal, is more expensive and heavier than gold.
3) Stones or No Stones?
Diamonds and other
precious stones add to the cost of a wedding ring. If you have an engagement
diamond ring, a matching diamond wedding band can be a beautiful
complement. Of course, not all young couples can afford diamond bands
(and most men don't care for them). You can always start out with simple
gold wedding rings -- and upgrade when an important anniversary rolls around.
4) Find a Jeweler You Trust
Visit a local jeweler with a good reputation to see
what types of wedding rings he or she stocks. While there, ask the
jeweler to measure your wedding ring sizes. If you don't see something you like,
the jeweler may be able to custom-order a wedding design. You may be able to
find good deals and a wider range of designs from online wedding jewelers which are listed on MoneyJingle.com.
5) Matching or Not?
Today most couples select wedding rings that either match or have common elements. Typically a woman's
wedding band is smaller in size but a few millimeters taller than a
man's. Couples with different tastes can find common ground in wedding rings of
the same metal, but not necessarily the same design. Whatever beautiful
style you ultimately decide on, wear it proudly and for a lifetime.