Perhaps one of the most important pieces of jewelry you’ll ever wear, the wedding band is a symbol of love and commitment that dates back to the ancient world, but still influences us today. The never-ending circular shape of the ring was seen as a symbol of eternity and everlasting love, while the center of the ring was considered the gateway to the future of the married couple. Today, wedding bands remain an important part of the nuptial ritual and there are many styles to choose from and more ways than you would think to wear those bands. Jewelers Circle has put together some pointers on purchasing and wearing a wedding band, whether it’s a contemporary piece or a vintage jewel, there’s sure to be a style that’s right for you.
The Metal Band Keeps it Simple
The tradition of metal wedding bands was solidified in the Roman era, when iron was used to make rings due to its strength and permanence. Today gold or platinum are the most used metals to make bands. The plain metal band is a very simple style that is elegant and the easiest type of wedding band to wear. This band will easily match any ring style and if you opt to wear it on its own, it will blend well with other jewelry. It’s also a super good choice if you’re into sports, or other activities, as you don’t have to worry about damaging or losing gemstones.
You may want to have your wedding band engraved with your wedding date, or a sentiment that only you and your partner will see, making the ring even more personal. Engraving wedding bands is a tradition that dates back to the latter part of the Medieval era when posey rings were popular. These rings had engravings of French or Latin phrases that translated mean “you have my heart”, or “love conquers all”.
Colored Gemstone Bands
If you like a little color in your life, a band with colored gemstones may be the right choice for you. Also, if you have a colored gemstone center stone, such as a sapphire, you may want a wedding band that will match. Or if you have a diamond engagement ring, you can add a subtle pop of color with the band.
The way the gems are set is an important aspect of the band style. The setting can dramatically alter the way the band looks. There are multiple setting styles, but two of the most common for wedding bands are the prong setting and the channel setting.
A prong setting uses tines, or prongs, to hold a gemstone or diamond in place. Before the stone is set the prongs stick up from the ring basket. The stone is placed inside the prongs, which are then pressed into place and polished. Prong settings allow light to enter the stone giving it more sparkle.
A channel setting is a type of setting where the gems are placed tightly together in a groove so that they are all touching. There are no prongs or other types of metal between the stones. The metal edges on the channel setting are folded over to hold the stones in place.
A wedding band may have round stones or fancy shapes, which will also change the way the band looks. Round stones are classic and romantic, while fancy shapes have a more modern feel. Also, you will find some bands with gems all around, while other bands will have gems going half way around.
The Eternity Band
An eternity band has gemstones going all around the ring. These bands tend to have larger stones and they are generally diamonds. The gems may be round, oval, emerald or square shaped. The settings for these rings are created to show the gemstones. A diamond eternity band is dressy and glamourous. It’s also a great choice if you want to wear a band only, as it makes a nice sparkly statement.
Sometimes an eternity band will have gems halfway around the ring, so that the stones are all on the top of the ring. When the ring is made this way, it is sometimes called an anniversary ring and is meant to mark a milestone moment in a relationship. There is also the comfort factor. A ring with gemstones all the way around may feel bulky on the hand, if the stones are on the top only, the ring is a little more streamlined to wear.
Wearing a Band
The band you choose and how you choose to wear it, are personal choices that reflect your fashion sense and fit your lifestyle. There are a few considerations when choosing your wedding band. The first consideration is how it looks with your engagement ring. You’ll want your wedding band to echo the setting style of your engagement ring to create a unified look. It’s very important to try on a wedding band with your engagement ring to make sure it looks right and that it is comfortable.
When you wear a wedding band it should sit flush against the engagement ring. There are some wedding bands that have a “U” shape to accommodate the rounded section of a gemstone, such as a pear or oval shape. These are the only wedding bands that look awkward when worn alone due to their shape.
Traditionally, a wedding band and engagement ring are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. That is because in the ancient world, it was thought that the vein in that finger led directly to the heart. Today, we know that all veins lead to the heart, but the custom has stuck around for thousands of years. In some countries and cultures, the wedding band is worn on the right hand and in some places, the ring can be worn on either hand. Sometimes a wedding band may not fit properly with the engagement ring, so you can wear the engagement ring on the right hand and your wedding band on your left hand. Or you can wear your wedding band only.
Some couples choose to start with a band and then add more bands through the years to mark important life occasions, creating a personal stack, with each band representing a chapter in the story of your relationship.
A wedding band is one of the most personal and meaningful pieces of jewelry that you will own, so choose one that you love and that you will enjoy wearing. And remember as the years go by, you can always do an upgrade.
Top: Image by bettamendez75 from Pixabay.
Image by MasterTux from Pixabay; Diamond, emerald and platinum eternity band, signed Oscar Heyman, circa 1960s; Victorian Burmese ruby, diamond, silver and 18-karat gold band, circa 1890; Emerald cut diamond and platinum eternity band; Art Deco channel set diamond and platinum band, circa 1930; Diamond and 18-karat white gold eternity band, circa 1980s; Edwardian diamond, platinum and 18-karat gold band, circa 1910.
Authored by Amber Michelle