How to Choose and Buy a Wedding Ring
Wedding rings are one of the most enduring symbols of a marriage, but they are often one of the most overlooked parts of wedding planning. Most people will wear their wedding rings everyday for life, so choosing something that will match your style is very important. Some couples opt for matching bands, others want simple, metal rings, and some choose to add some bling with stones. Whichever route you want to go, the most important thing to do is research your decision and spend time considering your options before making a purchase. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choosing a Wedding Ring
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Make a list of what you want in your wedding rings. Create separate columns for the bride and the groom. Some items to consider include your lifestyle, your type of work, your personality and any family traditions you hope to carry on. If you work with your hands on a regular basis, you want a strong metal like platinum and you might want to consider not adding stones. If your family historically uses a specific type of gold in wedding rings, take that into consideration. Write down the points that are important in the appropriate columns.
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Determine if matching rings are important for you and your spouse. You need to make a decision, as a couple, about whether or not your wedding bands should be the same or similar. Some couples choose to go for the exact same design in different sizes. Other couples opt for the same type of metal or same type of stones. If one partner feels strongly about having matching bands, it is probably best to go that route. You do not want to start your marriage off with hurt feelings.
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Establish a budget. Decide how much you want to spend on the wedding rings and be prepared to stick to that number. Your budget will dictate some choices, including the addition of stones and the type of metal used in your band. White gold looks like platinum, but is less expensive; the lower the karats of yellow gold, the lower the ring price.
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Look at different styles of rings, starting at the jewelry store where the engagement ring was purchased. The salesperson at the store where the engagement ring was purchased will be able to tell you if there is a wedding ring that is designed to go with the engagement band. You do not have to buy the matching ring, but it helps to at least look at the wedding band and get an idea of what jewelry designers think looks best with the engagement band.
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Work with a jeweler at the jewelry store to narrow your choices. Communicate to the jeweler your wishes and budget. You can also show him the list you made earlier. A professional will be able to direct you to rings that will best fit your style and your budget. The jeweler should be able to direct you to less expensive options if your budget dictates.
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Choose the metal and design of your rings. If you did not find a ring you liked at the first store, continue to visit other jewelry stores and look online for additional options. Some jewelry stores will also customize wedding rings if you are having trouble finding the perfect design.
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Decide on an inscription, if you want to add one. Many people have small sayings engraved on the inside of wedding rings. Some inscriptions are simple, for example, the wedding date or the couple's initials. Other people use Bible verses or special sayings. Your engraving will be limited by the size of the wedding band. The jeweler will be able to tell you how much room is available for engraving.
Buying a Wedding Ring
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Speak with your jeweler regarding the price of the rings and your store's policy on purchasing items. Some stores will let you make payments over time, while other require full payment at time of pick-up. Many jewelry stores also offer no or low interest financing if you buy the rings with a specific type of credit card. Choose the payment option that is best for you and your budget.
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Ask to see the certifications for the rings. Have an independent appraisal. Before buying the ring, know what you are getting. The karats on the appraisal should match the ring if you are purchasing yellow gold, and the correct metal has to be listed. You also want to check the descriptions of any stones. If a jeweler is unwilling to show you the official paperwork on the ring, it could indicate a problem and you might want to reconsider buying the ring from that store.
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Purchase insurance for your wedding band through your homeowner's or renter's policy. Many policies have limits on the amount of coverage available for jewelry unless you purchase an additional rider. In case your home is ever burglarized or catches fire, an insurance rider will allow you to replace your ring without worrying about paying for it again.
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Purchase the ring at the jewelry store using your preferred payment method. If you have a credit card you use to accrue rewards, such as airline miles, consider using that card for the purchase to rack up additional points.
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Tips & Warnings
Many jewelers will not adjust the sizing on rings or engrave them until the purchase is finalized. Buy the wedding rings far enough in advance of your wedding so any details like those can be taken care of before your ceremony.
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