The wedding ring is a story that goes back a long way.
”It is the most stubborn piece of jewellery, like a tattoo it seizes, binds and refuses to come off.
These are the the most enduring expression of the culmination of your commitment journey you'll own.
We’ve assembled this wedding ring guide to help you understand the different finishes and looks in order to make your choice. We can offer styles to suit every taste, from the classic plain bands, to more elaborate pieces utilising different techniques, and/or gemset.
DEFINITIONS
‘The Ring’ is a very generic term which covers every aspect of a ring. It is perfectly acceptable to describe the wedding ring, but other terminology you might hear is ‘band’. This is a slightly more specific term, which does describe the metal encircling the finger. However either term is understandable, especially as it usually comes prefixed with ‘engagement’, ‘wedding’, eternity etc etc..
BAND WIDTH
This is the horizontal measurement of the band. Standard widths are between 2-4mm for women and 4 - 6mm for men. It is what suits the finger best.
It is possible to buy wedding rings which have been matched to engagement rings, ensuring a perfect fit. In addition, couples can match the general style of their wedding rings together, creating their ideal set.
BAND PROFILE
This describes the shape of the exterior of the band. There are two main types, although perhaps unsurprisingly, several variations beyond this.
Round Profiles
These are as described, curved profiles at different heights. You may already have heard of ‘d-shaped’ which is a popular choice, if you imagined the ring sliced through, the profile would be like a capital ‘D’. There are many other to choose from though.
Flat Profiles
These are bands which have a flattened or level outer surface. These rings are selected for a bolder, more contemporary look.
Comfort Fit
This is a standard description for the inside of the band. Comfort fit is where the band edges have been curved, to ensure the finger slides into the ring comfortably.
PROFILE FINISHES
A ring finish is the general appearance of the band profile. While a polished finish is often the most popular choice in the UK there is a variety available, and can be combined to create unique styles. We’ve detailed the most common below – click on an image for more details;
POLISHED
A high shine finish achieved with polishing brushes and emery powder.
BRUSHED
The surface of the ring is finished using a coarser brush creating a textured finish.
SATIN
This is another brushed finish, however it is much finer than matte
MATTE
A smooth finish achieved by polishing the surface of the ring with a wire brush.
WEAVE/BRAID
A raised design that resembles strands of metal woven together.
MILLGRAIN
A raised, beaded line on the ring's profile.
Additional Advice
If you want more information on metals - we've written an article comparing platinum and gold, with a few buying insights included.
Interested in making a new wedding ring with your old one? You can learn a bit more about reusing your jewellery here, and also see what we did to one client's old wedding ring here, as well as how we incorporated part of a client's grandfather's ring into his and her wedding bands.