On more than one level, Wedding rings are revered as symbols that hold massive relevance worldwide. Wearing one represents the fact that two people are married and are therefore “unavailable” to potential new partners.
However, as far as men are concerned, this wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until the turn of the 20th century that men took to wearing rings as remembrance for their wives and families back home, whilst away fighting in the trenches during the First World War.
This was the watershed moment for the practice, which carried through to WW2 and now permeates throughout modern society.
But don't just take it for granted.
There’s many caveats to explore – because, when choosing your wedding ring, there are several elements that must be taken into consideration.
Now that she’s said yes to her wedding ring, it’s time for you to say yes to yours.
Left Hand vs Right
If you find yourself trying to figure out which hand you should wear your wedding ring on - the quick answer is: The left hand.
BUT – if we were to dig a little deeper, we’d uncover a long and varied history that underpins the exchanging of wedding rings between two people. Which means the better answer to the question is: It depends.
The Vein of Love
For example, most American men wear their ring on the fourth finger on the left hand. It’s a tradition that stems from a belief that goes as far back as ancient Rome that there’s a vein running directly from the left ring finger to the heart. By placing a ring on this so-called ‘vein of love,’ a man was able to lay his proverbial (sometimes literal) claim to his bride’s heart.
Yet still, not all cultures agree.
There’s people around the world who opt to wear their wedding bands on the right hand. Take India, for example. Since the left hand is thought to be impure, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand. The hand they consider to be symbolic of honour and trust.
Culture Clash
At the end of the day there’s so many cultural traditions that it becomes a tricky situation, especially in countries where the population isn’t completely homogenous. This doesn’t mean that one way or the other is wrong. Simply, it means that different cultures have different traditions and beliefs on what a wedding ring symbolizes and how it should be worn
Ultimately then - the choice is yours.
Sizing and Fit
When you’re wearing something as meaningful as a wedding band, you want to make sure that you do it right – but, like finding your soulmate, you may have to try a few incorrect sizes before ending up with the right one.
More important than anything else, you really want to avoid guessing.
Proper sizing is key! The first few months of wearing an incorrectly sized ring is prime time for it going missing, leading to a costly replacement.
That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced jeweller for an accurate and professional measurement.
A ring that fits well won’t squeeze the skin or feel like it’s about to fall off. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. If your ring is too big, even just slightly, you’ll be much more prone to it slipping off accidentally when rummaging between sofa cushions, or pulling off a pair of gloves. Too small, and you’re at risk of damaging the circulation in your finger – which is something you’d want to avoid.
In short - you should be able to wear your ring and remove it when needed, without too much of a struggle. There should be relative ease when sliding the ring on and a little bit of resistance coming off over the knuckle. You shouldn’t have to twist the ring, or reach for baby oil or soap to reduce friction. This would be the clearest sign that your ring is too tight.
So, for accurate measurement, make an appointment to come and visit our showroom to speak with a design specialist. There’s no charge for this service, and it only takes a minute!
Choosing Your Metals
After finding your size and establishing what’s comfortable, here comes the part that ties it all together.
Gone are the days of simple yellow gold bands. Now there’s a variety of materials and designs to choose from.
However, the metal that you select is extremely important when making your final choice, as it can influence factors like price, maintenance and care.
Not all metals are created equally.
When making your decision, you need to keep in mind that your ring is something that you’ll be wearing for most of the time so, obviously, your choice needs to fit your lifestyle and unique needs.
Gold
The three most popular shades of gold are yellow, white and rose – all of which are solid options. However, even though each variant contains high quantities of pure gold, there are some differences.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is a classic and timeless option. Made with pure gold and a mixture of silver and copper it gives off a warm hue that tends to make diamonds stand out. Also, owing to its precious nature and rarity, yellow gold has been the primary material of wedding bands for centuries.
White Gold
White gold is a more contemporary style, an alloy that achieves its colour via the mixing together of metals such as yellow gold, silver and palladium. Its luminous shine is comparable to that of platinum – but with a unique flare that causes it to stand out in a way that’s truly remarkable.
Rose Gold
If you’ve been keeping up with the trends then you’re already aware: rose gold has been enjoying an immense spike in popularity. This trendy option is composed of yellow gold, copper and silver to deliver its trademark brass-like hue. It’s one of the trendiest metals available, especially when it comes to men’s jewellery, and it isn’t hard to understand why. This is a solid option.
Platinum
Platinum delivers a consistent white shine – without the need for rhodium plating. Easily one of the most popular choices for wedding bands. It’s one of the toughest metals. However, the only snag is its premium price tag. With such extreme hardness and density, platinum is the pricier option when compared against gold and its variants. The biggest advantage of Platinum over White Gold is that is is fundamentally a white metal that will not need replating. Whereas White Gold is still yellow in hue without its plating and requires more care to keep it looking white.
In summary, when it comes to the material your ring is made of, the harder the metal – the better. Your ring needs to stand the test of time.
The Diamond Debate
The days of wearing boring wedding bands are over.
People often ask if diamonds, mixed metals, or intricate designs are too feminine. The bottom line is, when it comes to rings these days simplicity no longer applies.
After all, diamonds are known to represent strength and love, and isn’t that what marriage is all about?
Wedding rings for men come in all sorts of designs. Some contain one large stone and others feature a cluster of stones while still maintaining a robust and sturdy look.
The tradition dates all the way back to medieval times when members of the nobility wore engraved signet rings. The engraving was used to make a print, in candle wax, to seal or sign official documents. Very manly indeed!
Or take Maharajas of India for example, who wore jewellery encrusted with pearls, emeralds and rubies to reflect magnificence, lineage and wealth. Such adornments were a way of establishing structure and hierarchy.
Louis XIV of France valued diamonds in particular. Creating a larger than life aura, he often wore opulent jewellery packed with shining stones as a display of political strength and power.
So don’t be afraid to let your ring reflect your personal style. You want a diamond in your ring? Then get yourself a diamond. You want hundreds of diamonds? Why not! Spoil yourself.
It is also worth noting that the biggest watch houses of the world today also adorn their timepieces with Diamonds from Patek Philippe to Rolex, they all have a wide range of diamond set models today. When everybody has something plain, “Stand Out!” Is our motto.
A wedding ring is a piece of jewellery that you’ll be wearing for several years to come. It’s important that it truly reflects who you are.
Keep Your Ring Safe
After buying your ring, you have one very important job: NOT to lose it!
A lost wedding band is no laughing matter – that sinking feeling in your gut, the frenzied search and the inevitable guilt is enough to make you want to crawl under a rock for weeks. But before you go into full panic mode, take a deep breath. Here’s some tips and tricks to help you keep your ring right where it belongs.
Get Insured
Ring insurance seems like an unnecessary expense, especially with a big wedding on the horizon. But, rest assured, it’s worth every penny.
Certain activities can be fraught with peril, which can put your ring at risk. In fact, any activity that can cause your ring to become impossible to retrieve should be considered carefully.
Vacations for example. Of course you want your finger bling to travel with you, but – take our word for it, the last thing you want is for your ring to slip off your finger and into the deep blue sea.
This is why insurance is key. If the unthinkable happens and your ring goes missing, insurers will replace it – which should give you some peace of mind. Rockford can help with any valuation certificate should you need it for insurance too.
Maintenance & Care
Now that it’s time to settle into wedded bliss, there’s a few things that you’re going to want to know to ensure that married life goes off without a hitch.
Cleaning your wedding band may seem like a no brainer, but most of us simply never think to do it. Just like cars and houses, your ring will need some periodic maintenance. Are you thinking about how good your car looks after it’s been waxed and detailed? Well, that’s awesome! Because your wedding ring can be just as shiny.
Your wedding band will be with you for life – but that shouldn’t mean the dirt that it collects has to come along for the ride. At least once a year, take your ring to your jeweller for inspection and cleaning to keep your band in like-new condition.
Or if you prefer the do it yourself route, you should soak it in a mixture of warm water mixed with a few drops of soap. Let it sit for a few minutes before gently scrubbing with a soft bristled toothbrush. Finish by polishing with a soft lint-free cloth to bring back some serious sparkle.
It’s really that simple. Literally, in just a few minutes, your ring can go from dull to brilliant...
Avoid using abrasive chemicals like bleach on your ring. Some of these products contain harsh chemicals that can cause staining, tarnishing or warping.
Final Thoughts: It’s up to you now
Now that you’ve got the general run down of the do’s and don'ts when it comes to shopping for and taking care of your wedding band, you can always reach out to us if you have further questions.
If you need any more info please start a live chat or contact a specialist today.
