Explore
Wedding Band Guide
Weddings rings are symbols of love and commitment. At Starfire Diamond Jewellery, the advice we give to all our customers when they start the wedding planning process is that your wedding band should be number one on your list, as these beautiful wedding rings will be cherished for a lifetime of love. This guide will help you consider the different choices and design features so you both can choose the best suited rings.
Gold Metal
18k gold comes in three different colour varieties: white, yellow, and rose gold. All 18k gold is 75% pure gold, and the remaining 25% is made of a combination of different metals that provide additional durability and enhance the colour.
White gold is a bright white metal that takes an additional process to further enhance its colour. It is plated with rhodium, a white metal, to cancel the yellowish tones created by the gold content. For optimal brightness, this metal needs replating every 6-18 months. Starfire can re-plate your white gold jewellery for a minimal fee.
Gold rings can also be made with lower gold content such as 9k. This gold is available in the same colour varieties as 18k gold and is a slightly cheaper alternative than 18k gold due to its lower gold purity. However, 9k gold is more brittle and susceptible to cracks as its hardness weakens. Assess the suitability of using 9k gold for your wedding rings based on your lifestyle.
Platinum
Platinum is the rarest and most valuable of all the precious metals. Only a small amount of platinum is made each year which enhances its rarity. Platinum jewellery contains more fine metal than most other jewellery, being at least 95% pure. This rich purity makes platinum hypoallergenic and its natural white colour will never tarnish or lose its lustre.
For a unique design or pattern, some rings incorporate two or more gold colours as design accents, which creates a striking and eye-catching look. Use a combination of different gold metals or alternative metals that can equally work well for wedding rings.
Alternative Metals
Titanium and zirconium are two other metals that have gained traction over recent years in the wedding ring market.
Titanium, although not a precious metal, is a naturally grey charcoal coloured metal that has incredible strength and durability. Titanium is a lightweight option for jewellery and is hypoallergenic.
Zirconium is a metal with similar characteristics to titanium. The difference is that exposure to high temperatures creates a blackened surface on zirconium. This colour is caused by an oxidization reaction on the surface. Other black-coloured rings are either coated or plated which does not last for everyday wear, so the blackening process for zirconium allows it to be a suitable alternative. However, as this colour is surface level, please be advised that deep scratches may reveal the grey metal underneath.
This metal is more affordable than other options. However, it cannot be resized and cannot be repaired if damaged. Please consider these options as you see fit with your lifestyle.
Metal Considerations With an Existing Engagement Ring
Starfire recommends matching the metal of your wedding ring to the metal of your engagement ring. Choosing the same metal will create the best matching look for your bridal set and will also serve to the longevity of your rings. Each metal choice has a different hardness level, therefore mismatching metals may create scratches and wear away the softer of the two.
If your engagement ring is 18k gold, you can choose between the different gold tones: white, yellow and rose. Mixing gold tones is a great way to emphasise your bridal set and make a statement. However, if your engagement ring is made from platinum, we recommend complementing it with a platinum wedding ring, as this metal is harder than gold.
The width of a ring refers to how much length of the finger will be covered by the ring when worn. For some ring designs and styles, there can be some factors that ultimately impact the width of the ring such as stone setting or patterns. We want your ring to last a lifetime, so at Larsen Jewellery the minimum width we use to create our wedding rings is 2mm. This means your ring will be more likely to retain its structural integrity over decades of wear and polishing. Most ladies wedding rings are 2mm-4mm wide and most men’s wedding rings are 4mm-7mm wide, but this is just a guide and you should make your choice based on your own personal preference.
This measurement refers to the thickness of the wall of the ring, which can be seen by placing the ring flat on a table. Ring thickness is important to consider, as a thin ring can bend easily if worn every day. Details such as stone depth and engravings may increase the thickness of your ring.
The profile of the ring is the term of the outside shape of the ring. Wedding rings can be flat, rounded, pointed into a shape or completely round. This is an important consideration as the profile is a comfort factor, especially when it matches the profile of the engagement ring. The profile can be matched by hand in our workshop by our jeweller accurately. Men usually choose the profile of their ring based on the shape that most suits their hand.
At Starfire, we prefer a comfortable fit. This is when the inside of the wedding ring is slightly rounded, which makes wearing the ring more enjoyable and easier to put on and remove. A rounded profile sits comfortably on the finger and is smoother when rolling over the knuckle.
Finger size is an important consideration. Finger sizes may fluctuate due to a variety of reasons such as weather and physical activity among others, which is why your rings may not sit the same at all times. It is important that the ring stays on when your hands are cold, which is when your finger size is smallest, and equally in summer when your hands are a little swollen, it should not get stuck on your finder. Ideally, your ring should slide onto the finger and be met with some resistance when it is taken off. In essence, it should fit snugly, but not uncomfortably.
Although measuring your size by a professional at our store is preferable, we understand that this is not always possible. Please visit our Finger Size page to learn how to measure your finger at home.
Wedding rings are highly customisable, and includes many options for precious stones. For a classic look, a row of white diamonds is an iconic choice, but coloured precious stones are also popular to add some personality. Diamonds also come in a wide variety of colours, from white to pink and black. Diamonds are commonly used in rings due to their hardness and their resistance to scratches.
Wedding bands and the stones used are generally small and sit in line with the band. Wedding ring styles are suited to many shaped centre stones. Whether square, rectangular, or marquise shaped, they are commonly used in wedding bands. Popularly, square shaped stones are chosen for men’s stone-set wedding rings.
Typical Sizes Used in Wedding Rings
The stones used in wedding rings sit in line with the band rather than jutting out like a centre stone. The idea of the wedding ring is to complement the engagement ring and not to take the spotlight. The size of the stones can be from 1mm to 3mm in diameter, although there are striking designs that can also use larger stones if the design allows it. We can calculate the appropriate size and diameter of the band that is necessary for the accompanying diamonds.
Setting Styles
We have outlined the most popular settings for your chosen precious stones for wedding rings. You may choose the same setting as your engagement ring, or choose something different.
A micro-claw set ring allows for the stone to be secured by individual claws that carved are carved from the sides of the band. The settings are created from the sides of the band, therefore there is less metal visible around the diamonds and allows for a clean looking band. The width of this type of ring is determined by the size of the diamonds used, therefore a finer band would have smaller diamonds but if you prefer bigger diamonds or stones, the ring will be wider to accommodate the setting.
