You might not get a say in your engagement ring, but your wedding band is more likely to be your choice. With this in mind, you might be thinking about trying to match the styles so that you can wear them together.
Matching your engagement ring with your wedding band is a great way to ensure you can pair both pieces of jewellery without them looking mismatched. With vintage styles, the mismatched look can work quite well, but most people want a more cohesive and refined look for the engagement ring and wedding band.
Remember that you'll be wearing your engagement ring and wedding band for years to come, so you don't want to fall for the latest trends. You want to choose something timeless that you will be just as happy to wear in 20 years time as today. If you’re shopping for a wedding band to match your engagement ring, you’ll need to consider the following factors:
1. Think about your diamond cut
The cut of your diamond will influence the kind of wedding band you can add to it. Elongated cuts like an emerald or oval diamond will look best if they have a contour that fits around the diamond setting.
For raised settings, you can choose a straight wedding band, as the setting won’t get in the way. If you are choosing a contoured band, it’s best to have this custom made so that it fits around your engagement ring perfectly.
2. Choose the right metal
Ideally, you should match the metal in your bands so the two rings look more cohesive. However, there are exceptions to this. For example, you could pair white gold with platinum as these are both cool-toned metals. You may also get away with pairing warm-toned metals such as rose gold and yellow gold.
If you are choosing yellow gold, make sure the tone matches, as these have a tendency to clash, and one ring could end up making the other one look cheaper. The carat will have an impact on the shade of the gold.
3. Think about band width
In general, you should aim to achieve balance between the width of the rings. For example, if you have a very thick band on your engagement ring, it could look too heavy if you have another thick band for your wedding band. In this instance, you might choose something more delicate.
Likewise, if you have a very delicate engagement ring, you might want to pick something wider for your wedding band as this will create visual balance and create more impact.
4. The two don’t have to match
It’s a common misconception that the two bands have to match. In some cases, matching the styles could be a little overwhelming. For example, if you have a vintage style engagement ring with an ornate band, it might be a little overwhelming to match this style with your wedding band.
In general, if your engagement ring is quite dramatic, you might want to consider a more subtle wedding band. And if your engagement ring is quite simple, you can afford to be more daring with your wedding band.
5. Save space for an eternity ring
When thinking about your engagement ring and wedding band pairing, you can also think about how an eternity ring might fix into the set. An eternity ring is usually a simple band with pave set diamonds running around the whole band, this is to symbolise an eternity together.
It is usually given as a gift on a special occasion such as a wedding anniversary. It’s traditional to wear your wedding band, followed by your engagement ring and then an eternity ring.
6. Consider only wearing your wedding band
If you don’t want to match your wedding band and your engagement ring, you could also consider just wearing your wedding band. Many married people choose to only wear their wedding band as it is often more discreet and easier to wear.
Some professions would make it difficult to wear your engagement ring every day. There is also the risk that your engagement ring could get lost or stolen if you wear it every day, so it may be best to take it off. If you’re concerned in any way, then it might be best to wear a simple wedding band and save your engagement ring for special occasions.
Closing thoughts
Matching your engagement ring and wedding band can create a stunning look. If you’re in the process of choosing a wedding band, you should consider the cut, metal and width of both rings so they fit together perfectly. If you don’t want to match them, there is also the option to just wear your wedding band.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and taste. Try to avoid falling for the latest trends and instead choose something that reflects your personality and taste. This way, you’ll be able to create a look that is unique and timeless.
