Why not ‘ring’ in the month of love by putting a wedding ring on it? Did you know that November – February is known as the proposal season and that a whopping 40% of engagements take place during proposal season? What’s even more fascinating is that 43% of millennials say that they would choose Valentine’s day to propose to someone or get proposed to! If you are part of that 43% then you have come to the right place. We are going to give you the lowdown on all things wedding rings.
We don’t want to see you crying to the Beyonce lyrics, ‘If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it. Oh oh oh.’ So sit back and relax as we take you through the rabbit hole of rings.
Wedding Rings: The Metals and Materials
Platinum
When it comes down to the material that the wedding ring is made of, it is advisable to go for harder materials. This is because you would want your ring to last as long as your marriage; which is ideally a lifetime. A good option is a platinum ring. Platinum is a firm favourite as it is extremely tough and the beautiful white colour never fades. Platinum does come with a bit of a hefty price tag, but it is worth the investment.
Gold
The next option is gold. Three of the most popular shades of gold are; rose gold, white gold and yellow gold. The more traditional couples tend to opt for yellow gold as it is a classic, but if you want something a bit more spunky, rose gold is the way to go. White gold rings are often plated, and therefore they are at risk of fading and losing its colour over time.
Silver
Silver is also another favourite for wedding rings. Its popularity is because it is inexpensive and beautiful. The only downside to silver is that it can scratch easily.
Titanium
If you or your loved one has sensitive skin, then you should consider titanium as it is hypoallergenic. Although it is lighter in weight, titanium is strong and durable. Titanium is a darker metal and easy to identify.
Stainless Steel
If you are picking out a ring for your groom, stainless steel is an excellent option to consider. Wedding rings made from stainless steel are inexpensive, strong, durable, hypoallergenic and scratch resistant. Unless you leave it in front of some pigeons, there isn’t much that could go wrong with a stainless steel ring.
The other materials that wedding rings can be made of are ceramic, tungsten, zirconium and wood.
Here’s a little bit more about them:
Ceramic rings
We are sure that you’re thinking coffee cup, right? Well, ceramic rings are made up of a strong compound of titanium and ceramic called titanium carbide. These are especially popular for male rings.
Tungsten rings
Tungsten is a dull silver-coloured metal with the highest melting point of any pure metal. It is more resistant to fracturing than diamond and is much harder than steel. The strength of this ring is what gives it its nickname of ‘The Unbreakable Ring’.
Zirconium rings
Zirconium is a corrosion resistant metal that is also used in nuclear reactors! A zirconium ring is lighter than steel, and its hardness is similar to copper.
Wood rings
These are the new kids on the block and look to be a great trend for 2018! Rather than having the entire ring made up of wood, which would result in the ring being flimsy and not very durable, the wood is inserted into a ring that is predominantly made of metal.
Love Stoned
‘A kiss on the hand might be quite continental darling, but diamonds are a girl’s best friend.’
Ever wondered why diamonds are a firm favourite? Apart from its beautiful appearance, diamonds are the hardest substance on earth, and the only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond.
If you are going to go for a diamond though, be prepared to part with a lot of your cash money dollar! Perhaps even your car!
Two diamonds of equal size can vastly differ in price. The better the colour of the diamond (if it isn’t very yellow) the more clear the diamond is, and the more you will pay.
When choosing a diamond for your wedding rings, you should take into consideration the 4 C’s of diamond quality:
Colour – the colour evaluation of most diamonds is actually based on the absence of colour. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond doesn’t have a hue, it is like a drop of water, and therefore a higher value. Diamond colour-grading systems measure the degree of colourlessness by comparing a stone under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions to master stones of established colour value. GIA’s D-to-Z colour-grading scale is the industry’s most widely accepted grading system. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colourless, and continues, with the increasing presence of colour, to the letter Z. Many of these colour distinctions are so subtle that they are invisible to the naked eye; however, these colour variations make a big difference in diamond quality and obviously price.
Cut – natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure in the earth. This process results in a variety of internal characteristics that are called ‘inclusions’ and external characteristics which are called ‘blemishes.’ When you evaluate diamond clarity you need to determine the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics. While no diamond is perfectly pure, the closer it comes, the higher its price. Many of the inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. This is why expert and accurate assessment of clarity is critical when choosing diamonds for your wedding rings.
Clarity – diamonds are renowned for their ability to transmit light and sparkle. We often think of a diamond’s cut as shape (round, emerald, pear), but a diamond’s cut grade is actually about how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. Precise artistry and workmanship are required to create a stone, so its proportions, symmetry, and polish deliver the magnificent return of light only possible in a diamond. There are three things that need to be tested for. They are; brightness, fire and scintillation. Brightness refers to the internal and external white light that is reflected from a diamond. Fire is the scattering of white light into all the colours of the rainbow and scintillation is the sparkle that a diamond produces.
Carat weight – diamond carat weight is how much a diamond weighs. All else being equal, diamond price increases with carat weight. Two diamonds of an equal carat weight can have very different prices depending on the three other factors within the 4C’s.
Colour me pretty
If you want something a bit more colourful, why not go for some gemstones? Tanzanite stone is a beautiful and vibrant blue stone that is extremely rare. It can only be found in Tanzania near Kilimanjaro. Buying this stone will not just win your partner over, but it will also be a financial investment due to its rarity.
Pink is always a winner with the ladies! Morganite is a rare semi-precious gemstone and is known for its durability. They are also found in larger sizes which enable them to make stunning wedding rings!
If she or he is hot with passion, why not get them a Ruby? Rubies are a popular choice due to their rich colour and uniqueness.
Once you know what you want, you will need to know the size, check out our blog on ring sizing here!
Now that you know the in’s and out’s of wedding rings, why not book your wedding with us? We are sure they’ll say yes!
