One of the main things I take from each of my meetings, is that people are often unaware of just how much choice there is when designing your wedding rings, and tend to be overwhelmed by the whole process.
I’m here to help with these decisions and as I have over a decade of experience I can use my knowledge to help you decide which would be the most suitable choice for you. Obviously this works best when we are having a meeting, whether it’s in person or via zoom as we can go through the choices in real-time and before you know it you have the idea for your perfect ring.
I understand that a meeting may not always be possible at first, and if you’re just in the process of beginning to think about wedding rings, then you may not want to commit to a meeting, this is why I have created the step by step design form, a quick and simple way to navigate the main questions you need to answer to decide what ring is best for you.
Metal:
There are many different precious metals to work with, the most popular are harder wearing metals such as gold and platinum. If for example you know you would like gold, then you have the options of white gold, yellow gold or rose gold, you also have the quality of the gold to consider, 18ct is a purer gold, but typically would not be quite as hard wearing as 9ct.
Another point to consider is that the ring which is going to worn next to an engagement ring will inevitably rub against it, this overtime can mean that the weaker of the two metals will wear down, so I always advise to try and match the metal of your wedding ring to that of your engagement ring.
Band Shape:
This is one that people often are unaware of, the shape of the wedding band, this all comes down to personal preference but there are multiple options, ranging from a flat band which is exactly how it sounds, flat on the top, and flat on the bottom, to a Halo shape, which is rounded all the way around.
To help you understand further, one of the more popular choices is the Court Shape which is slightly curved on both sides, this means that the curve on the inside makes it a little more comfortable to wear, and the curve on the outside gives that more traditional look. Alternatively you can have the Easy-Fit shape, which has the curved inside for comfort, but the flat outside for a more contemporary looking ring.
Thickness:
This is fairly self explanatory but essential nonetheless. It’s worth considering your hand size, and what will suit you. A good idea, is to try other rings that you may already own to get an idea of what size goes with your engagement ring.
It’s worth bearing in mind that a really thin size will not be quite as strong as a thicker size, but also worth noting that the thicker size will require more metal, raising the price in relation.
The depth thickness also needs to be considered, if this is thicker then the ring will sit slightly higher on your finger.
Shank Setting:
This only really needs to be considered if you are having stones set into your wedding ring, there a few different choices depending on how you want the stones to be displayed.
In relation to the shank setting, you’ll also need to decide on what type and size stones you will like, as well as how far around the band you would like the stones to go.
Finish:
The finish of the ring will ultimately affect how the ring appears, the main choices are a traditional shiny finish, making your ring really stand out, If you would like a more subtle ring then your best choice will be the brushed finish, this leaves a very faint brush affect which gives the ring a matt look, perfect for those of you that prefer an understated look.
You can also have other finishes such as hammered, which creates multiple surfaces, this works well with both the shiny and the brushed finish.
Size:
Ultimately the most important part to get right as you’ll be wearing the rings for the rest of your lives, if you are unsure of your size then please let me know and I can send you a ring sizer.
Bespoke:
Most people requiring a wedding ring to fit alongside their engagement ring will require some sort of curve to ensure the rings fit flush together, this can go from an almost imperceptible curve, to a fully cut out design that the engagement ring can slot into.
To know what curve would best suit your engagement ring, feel free to send me a photo of your engagement ring on your hand, directly from above, and I can digitally sketch some ideas and send them over, to help you decide on a preference.
Engraving:
The perfect way to add a personal touch to your rings is to have them engraved, some popular choices are the wedding date, each other’s names, the co-ordinates of your favourite place, or even each other’s finger prints. This really makes your wedding rings stand out and makes them even more personal to you both.
Budget:
Everyone’s budget is different and that’s fine, if you let me know how much you are looking to spend, I can look through your design preferences and tailor these to suit your budget. Changing metal types and thicknesses can make a big difference to the overall cost so if you’re flexible on your preferences then we can make it suit your budget.
Hopefully by the time you’ve filled in the design form, you’ll have a much clearer view of what you’re after and what would suit you. Send it through and I will get back to you with a no obligation quote.
If you then decide to proceed with your rings then we can have a chat over coffee (either in person or via zoom) to finalise the design and you can then start your making journey, a unique experience that keeps you up to date and involved in every step of the process of creating your rings, meaning that you will have even more knowledge of how your rings are made and the work that goes into each stage.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in then take a look at the design form, alternatively if you already know that you would like to work with me then feel free to arrange a design meeting and we can get started right away.
