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Wedding Information
Shopping for Engagement & Wedding Rings
The first decision you must make when shopping for engagement rings and wedding bands is what type of metal you prefer. Which one complements your lifestyle, matches your existing jewelry "wardrobe," and fits your budget: platinum, yellow gold, white gold, or a mix?
Here is the 411 on metals and finishes to help you make a choice.
But first, one note: When shopping, make sure bands have two marks inside the shank ("ring" part of the ring) There should be the manufacturer's trademark (proves they stand behind their work) and quality mark (proves that the metal is what they say it is). If the ring consists of two or more metals, make sure there is a quality mark for each.
- Yellow Gold
- The gleaming color of gold has been revered throughout the centuries as a symbol of royalty and riches. It is the traditional wedding band metal, and many believe it best reflects the warmth and love of a marriage. Visually, gold's rich color best complements darker skin tones or those with a yellow undertone, and provides a complimentary setting for rich colored stones such as rubies or amethysts. But the reflection of yellow gold on a colorless diamond can make the stone appear yellowish and therefore less valuable. But it also can help mask the tint of yellowish diamonds by making the diamond look brighter.
For jewelry, 14K and 18K gold are most often used (the quality mark you should find inside the shank is simply 14K, 18K, etc.). The "K" indicates the gold's karat, which is a measure of its purity: a 24K band is pure gold and has the brightest yellow color, but is too soft for most jewelry, especially a ring you will wear every day. A lower karat means metal alloys (copper, zinc, silver, nickel, etc.) have been added to strengthen the metal. These extra alloys diminish the gold's brightness and may be irritating to people with metal allergies, but they greatly enhance the durability of the ring.
Most engaged couples choose 18K gold because it offers a good balance of gold color and strength. Of course, the purer the gold, the more expensive it is.
- White Gold
- When certain combinations of metal alloys are added to gold, it can produce different colors, as seen in the popular rolling ring wedding band, which consists of three intertwined bands, one each of white, yellow, and rose gold. White metals are white-hot in the jewelry market today, and white gold is the "cool" metal of choice for those who can't afford pricey platinum (white gold costs approximately 45% less than platinum).
- Platinum
- Purer, rarer, and stronger than gold, platinum is an ideal -- if expensive -- choice for your eternal symbol of love. It also has an interesting history: Between 1900 and 1940, platinum was the most popular white metal for jewelry. When World War II began, platinum was declared a strategic metal needed for wartime use (it's as hard as iron) and thus was banned for "frivolous" uses such as jewelry. Now resurging in popularity, platinum has the cachet of all things, well, platinum, whether it's a platinum record or credit card.
Platinum's purity makes it hypoallergenic; its strength and density make it the safest choice for holding gems securely and resisting wear and tear (the surface will scratch just like any other metal, but will not dent as deeply).
- Mixed Metals
- Can't decide? Choose a ring design that gracefully blends the beauty of yellow and white metals. Combine elements of platinum and yellow gold, white and yellow gold (for a less expensive but similar look), or several different shades of gold (the least expensive combo). A classic new look sandwiches an 18K yellow gold band between two narrow bands of platinum (or vice-versa). This dual-metal and duo-tone band need not be very wide to convey an intriguing mix of elegance and individuality.
- The Finishing Touch
- Choosing the metal for your wedding band is just the beginning: You can also add a finish (surface treatment) for a little extra pizzazz. Besides high polish, popular treatments include Florentine (crosshatched), hammered, brushed, satin, and matte. The beauty of finishes is that they can be applied, removed, and changed at will (except the hammered finish). Active types should avoid matte finishes and decorative details such as engraving, filigree (twisted wire), or milgraining (beaded border).
Shopping for Jewelry?
Are you shopping for an engagement ring, wedding bands, or that specialgift for your bridesmaids? Take a look at our shopping guide and find a jeweler that meets your needs: New Hampshire Jewelers.
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