Question 1

With so many different materials available for our wedding bands, how do we know the difference and benefits between them all to make the right choice for our wedding day?

Accepted Answer

Since the bride's wedding ring metal should be the same as her engagement ring, choosing a wedding ring can sometimes be easier than expected for the bride! However, the groom has a little bit more to choose from. The most popular wedding ring metals are: 9ct or 18ct white gold White gold is a modern twist on traditional yellow gold. It's made up of lighter alloys and is plated in rhodium, which is what gives it its bright 'white' and chrome-like shine. It's chosen as a cheaper alternative to platinum or palladium, but it does need plating every couple of years or so (depending on the wearer). 9ct or 18ct gold Also known as yellow gold, this metal is very traditional and 18ct gold costs more than 9ct because it contains double the amount of pure gold. A shiny, bright yellow metal that symbolises the light of the sun. 9ct rose gold Rose gold was popular for lavish jewellery pieces in the 1920s, and this blush metal is returning to fashion. Rose gold looks beautiful on those with olive skin because of the pink, rosy tones and it matches other rose gold and yellow gold jewellery pieces very well. Platinum Arguably one of the most luxurious wedding ring metals, platinum is a very sought-after, strong and precious metal. It has anti-tarnish properties, so it keeps its beautiful bright shine without needing to be replated (unlike white gold). Palladium Palladium is a strong, light and durable metal that's often chosen for its hypo-allergenic properties. Part of the platinum family but a cheaper alternative, it's more precious than gold or titanium. Titanium Discovered in Cornwall in the 18th-century, titanium has a slight natural grey colour to it. It's a wedding ring option if you want something light, strong and hard-wearing. Titanium is much cheaper than other metals like palladium and platinum, so it works well if you're on a budget. If you do a lot of hands-on tasks or work in a manual labour environment, it could be the ideal wedding ring for you!

Question 2

We're looking for the perfect wedding rings; what advice can you share with us?

Accepted Answer

To ensure you receive the perfect rings, have an expert jeweller make the pieces for you. That way, you'll receive something unique with the perfect design and fit.Sometimes when couples come to see me about having their rings made, they know exactly what they want. But more often than not, they need help discovering the options available. The fact that you'll wear these rings for the rest of your life can add a bit of pressure to the process. That's why we're here to share advice regarding the metal, purity, shape, width, size and finish. When creating the perfect rings, consider the metal and design of your engagement ring as well as your personal taste. A good jeweller can advise on practical aspects such as durability and comfort. Commissioning bespoke rings means you're guided through your decisions by an expert who knows this field like the back of their hand. That means the process will be stress-free and utterly enjoyable. After all, there's no jewellery more meaningful than the rings you give to one another as a symbol of your life-long partnership.

Question 3

We're trying to keep our wedding as eco-friendly as possible; what advice can you share with us?

Accepted Answer

When choosing diamonds and gemstones, it's important to enquire about the traceability of the precious stones you're interested in. Check that the pieces are ethically sourced and that the suppliers follow the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for all diamonds to ensure they're conflict-free. We have a continued commitment towards ethical and responsibly sourced materials as well as the people who mine them – particular female artisanal miners in Tanzania. It's important to empower women miners to work safely, mine better, improve financial security and create stable equitable markets for fair trade. Buying Fairtrade Gold jewellery means you're supporting small-scale miners to receive a fair deal for their hard work, protecting the environment and making life better for communities.

FAQs and expert advice about wedding & engagement rings