How to Choose a Matching Wedding Ring for Your Engagement Ring

Consider the size, shape and intricacy of your engagement ring when choosing your wedding ring.

With the intricacy of today's engagement rings, choosing the perfect wedding ring is more dizzying than decades ago. However, there are certain characteristics that you should focus on to ensure that you pick the right ring for you.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Examine your engagement ring and imagine what kind of wedding ring you would like to pair with it.

2. Ask the jeweler who sold you or your partner your engagement ring if the ring comes in a set. Determine whether you like the way the two similarly designed rings go together, or whether you would prefer something that stands out more.

3. Ask the jeweler what types of rings would be possible to match with your engagement ring. Take into consideration the size, shape and intricacy of your engagement ring. Remember that some designs, such as the antique look with pave diamonds bordering the center stone, may need a curved wedding band to accommodate the bulky stone design of the engagement ring. Most jewelers will have a selection of curved wedding bands, or you can have one custom made.

4. Research the various styles of wedding rings and determine what style would go best with your engagement ring. Take into consideration the level of intricacy and ideal design styles you'd like to see, as well as how often and where you'll wear the ring.

5. Determine what material, design and stones, if any, your ring will display. Try on a variety of styles that catch your attention, noting characteristics like size, shape and comfort.

6. Examine yourself in a full-length mirror to see how you look with the wedding set on. Then take your engagement ring off and see how you look with just the wedding ring on.

7. Finalize any customized details.

Tips & Warnings

• Always consider the combined weight of your rings. Platinum, for example, is quite heavy, so if both your engagement and your wedding band are platinum, then the combined weight may become uncomfortable during extended wear. This is especially important if your work involves a lot of typing.

• Be careful when mixing different gemstones in your rings. The diamond in your engagement ring can severely damage softer stones, such as emeralds, if they rub up against them in your wedding band.