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Contents
- Important
Considerations - Most Popular
Wedding Band Styles Explained- 1- Classic Wedding Band
- 2- Eternity Wedding Band
- 3- Infinity Wedding Bands
- 4- Channel Set Wedding Bands
- 5- Pave Wedding Band
- 6- 5 Stone Wedding Bands
- 7- Matching Curved Wedding Band
- 8- Twisted Wedding Band
- 9- Vintage Wedding Rings
When it comes to
bridal rings, engagement rings get all the attention. So much so that even a
simple search for wedding ring styles will bring up information mainly on
engagement rings.
But for most people,
the wedding ring is much more important than engagement rings. It represents
the marriage and is hardly ever taken off. Taken this way, picking out the
right wedding band is crucial if you want to get something that you’ll love for
a lifetime. Which is why we think it’s important to talk about wedding rings
and the different styles they come in.
If you’re looking to
choose your wedding band, here are the most popular styles to look out for.
Important
Considerations
Before we delve into
the styles of wedding rings, it’s important to consider what is most important
to you when selecting your ring. Consider:
- Durability – a wedding ring should be able to take
knocks, bumps and impact and still look amazing. The materials and design play
big roles in durability. - Symbolism – different ring styles come with their own
symbolism. If this is important to you, think about what you want the ring to
represent. - Price – more elaborate wedding ring styles will cost
more. Setting a budget will help you to choose within that range. - Your
Personal Style – are you into
minimalist or maximalist styles? Your wedding ring should be a true reflection
of you and should be able to blend into what you normally wear. - Comfort – comfort is key when choosing your ring
because it’s something you’ll be wearing every day.
Most Popular
Wedding Band Styles Explained
Most people think a wedding band is simply a plain gold band, and while
it can be just that, it can also be so much more. Here are the most popular
styles to choose from:
1- Classic Wedding Band
Classic yellow gold wedding ring.
See this ring here
Since the earliest
times, the wedding ring was simply a metal band meant to represent eternity,
love and devotion. Yellow gold was the traditional metal used and there was
little embellishment. Even today, this classic style remains among the most
popular.
Plain wedding bands
are typically designed with precious metals and feature a smooth, reflective
finish. They can also feature a range of different finishes, including matte,
satin, textured, hammered and brushed. These finishes aren’t shiny but can offer
more depth and interest to the ring.
2- Eternity Wedding Band
Diamond eternity band.
See this ring here
The eternity band has been popular for a long time because of its obvious
beauty but also for its symbolism. This ring style typically features diamonds
surrounding the entire circumference of the ring. There are variations to the
ring style, including:
- Half-eternity – here the diamonds
only go around half the band - Gemstone
eternity rings – other types of gemstones are used instead of diamonds - Different
shapes – different gemstone cuts are used instead of the traditional round
diamond - Various
settings – the diamonds or gemstones can be set in different ways, including pave,
channel or prong
The eternity wedding ring symbolises eternity, equality and loyalty. It’s
a classic design that offers you style, glamor and sophistication.
3- Infinity Wedding Bands
Infinity wedding band.
See this ring here
Infinity wedding bands feature the infinity symbol, the sideways figure
eight shape. The infinity symbol has been around since the mid-1600s
representing a line that has no end. Similar to the eternity band, the infinity
band comes in a range of designs and styles, with the main identifying point
being the infinity symbol. While some feature the symbol surrounding the
circumference of the band, others may feature just one infinity symbol incorporated
into the design.
This type of wedding ring is perfect for someone who’s after a meaningful
design that also looks beautiful.
4- Channel Set Wedding Bands
Princess cut channel set wedding ring.
See this ring here
Channel setting is a style in itself as well as a way to mount diamonds.
This means that it can be used in conjunction with other wedding band styles
too where diamonds are channel set.
Channel set bands are typically found in the eternity band style, with
the diamond set into a groove which keeps them secure. The diamonds can be of
any shape, although round and princess are the most popularly used.
This is a great choice if you use your hands a lot at work and are afraid
of getting your diamonds damaged or knocked. Channel set stones don’t snag on
every day objects or clank against items, making them comfortable and easy to
wear.
5- Pave Wedding Band
Diamond and blue sapphire pave set wedding band.
See this ring here
Pave setting refers to
stones that ‘pave’ the metal band, creating a continuous and beautiful line of
gemstone. Pave set rings are commonly crafted using diamond melees but can also
incorporate other stones. This style of rings is highly brilliant and feature
the diamonds to great effect. But they can also get damaged as the diamonds are
more exposed than channel set diamonds.
There are a couple of different types of pave setting:
- French
pave diamond rings where the diamonds are set in such a way as to maximize their sparkle.
The metal creates a ‘V’ shape at the sides of the diamond, which exposes the
sides of the stone to light. - Scalloped
pave diamond rings feature a rounded base where the diamonds are set. This minimizes the
amount of visible metal and increases the exposure of the diamonds increasing
sparkle and brilliance.
6- 5 Stone Wedding Bands
Yellow gold and diamond five stone wedding ring.
See this ring here
Five stone wedding bands usually feature equal sized stones with no single
stone taking the focus. It looks similar to a half-eternity but here the
diamonds are typically larger and more prominent. There is no one meaning
attributed to 5-stone rings but rather, the design represents a several
possible interpretations:
- The five stones
represent love, commitment, trust, empathy and good communication - It represents the
first five years of marriage - It symbolizes eternal
love and commitment similar to a half-eternity band - You can personalize
what you want the five stones to represent which makes it a creative option
Five stone wedding rings are stylish and sophisticated, but like the
half-eternity, it can get annoying when the ring spins the wrong way and stones
dig into the sides of your fingers or get hidden behind your finger.
7- Matching Curved Wedding Band
Wishbone shaped diamond wedding band.
See this ring here
Sometimes the wedding band plays second fiddle to the engagement ring,
which you may want to highlight. If you have an amazing engagement ring that
needs to take the primary position, having a wedding band that complements it
by taking its shape may be necessary. In this case, choosing a matching curved
wedding band is a great idea.
Matching curved wedding bands come in several styles and shapes to suit
the engagement ring’s design. It can be channel set, pave or prong, the choices
are endless. However, it needs to work in unison with the engagement ring so
that will be the deciding factor when choosing this type of wedding band.
The common shape for these types of rings is the V or wishbone shaped
style. This adds an element of meaning to the ring. Wishbone rings are known to
represent good luck and fortune, wealth, hope, positivity and good fortune.
Coupled with diamonds which represent durability, strength, love and integrity,
you get yourself a ring full of meaning and symbolism.
8- Twisted Wedding Band
Diamond pave twisted wedding band.
See this ring here
The twisted wedding band style typically features two metal bands twisted
together into an elegant curving design. The symbolism is clear to see – the
design represents how two different people come together as one for eternity.
This is perfect symbolism for a wedding ring.
There are many ways to get creative with the twisted wedding band style.
You can opt for two different metal colors or utilize different embellishments
for each section of the ring.
9- Vintage Wedding Rings
Victorian wedding ring from the 19th century.
See this ring here
There are a host of vintage wedding ring styles out there which are
meaningful and unique. Some of our favorites include the gimmel ring and the
Claddagh ring, which isn’t really vintage but is an ancient Irish design still
popular today.
There are antique or replica rings available, inspired by historical
periods, with each offering something unique. Here are the most popular types
of vintage wedding rings:
- Georgian wedding rings – these were
primarily Greek-inspired designs, featuring natural motifs like leaves, birds,
flowers and wheat stalks. - Victorian wedding rings – bright colors,
vivid styles and bold designs were characteristic of this period. Gemstones
were often incorporated into the wedding ring designs as well. In the later
Victorian period, silver, platinum and diamonds became more popular. - Art nouveau wedding rings – these rings have
natural motifs and elegant, symmetrical lines. They feature a lot of wrought
metalwork and beautiful elegant designs. - Edwardian wedding rings – Edwardian rings are
feminine, delicate and beautifully sophisticated. Gold was popular for this
period and filigree and milgrain were commonly employed. - Art deco wedding rings – a period of
beautiful ring designs, art deco rings are characterized by geometric shapes,
neutral hues and linear designs.
By all means, this is not an exhaustive list. There are other types of
wedding bands out there and you may even have a unique band commissioned for
yourself. These, however, are the most popular types of wedding rings, and most
of the bands you’ll come across on retail sites will fall into one of the above
categories. Hopefully you’ve spotted one that you like or have been inspired to
create your very own wedding ring.
You may also like
A Guide to Green Gold – All You Need to Know
What on Earth Are Meteorite Rings?
Wedding Ceremony Ideas to Make Your Wedding Fun and Unique
Different Colors of Gold and How to Choose
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