With all the different types of wedding rings, it can be confusing and difficult to find the perfect one for you and your loved one. Wedding rings come in different styles, materials, sizes, and designs, all of which can differ between men and women. 

We’ve aimed to collate a wedding ring Wikipedia to improve your understanding. While not as complicated as shopping for an engagement ring, it’s not simple with options for metal, weight, shape, size and finishes on the plain wedding band. 

So here’s a wedding ring guide to help you to discover the different options and types of wedding rings available in the UK.

How To Choose A Wedding Ring

With all of the different options and types of wedding rings available in the UK, it can be difficult to know how to choose a wedding ring. But there are 7 things that you need to decide when choosing the perfect ring:

  1. Size
  2. Shape
  3. Metal
  4. Style
  5. Weight
  6. Stones
  7. Budget

You’ll need to consider the options in each of these 7 areas. So think about what shape you and your partner want, consider which metal will give you the colour and durability that you want, and also set a budget

Let’s look at all of these 7 options in turn. Or you can read our other blogs for even more tips and information:

Which wedding ring metal is best?
How to choose a wedding ring
Choosing Your Wedding Ring finish

1. What Ring Size Am I?

The first thing you need to do when you start shopping for your wedding rings is work out your ring size. 

You can do this yourself at home, but using a proper ring gauge will give you a more accurate reading.

Free Ring Sizers UK

Some wedding ring companies offer a printable ring sizer, and others will send a free ring sizer in the post for UK residents. Getting an actual ring gauge will always give better results and can be used for both men and women.

free ring sizers in the UK

How to use a ring sizer

The ring sizer works just like a belt. You just put it on the finger and push the end through the hole to make a loop.

Once the ring sizer is on your finger you can adjust it to make sure it is the right size and a comfortable fit. Bear in mind you might want to take it off so it needs to be able to slip over your knuckle.

The ring gauge is marked to show the ring size, so you can easily order online knowing it will fit.

You can also buy cheap Ring Sizers on Amazon if you’d prefer to not get a free one from a wedding ring company.

How To Measure Your Ring Size At Home?

You can measure your ring size easily by using a string of paper. Usually, the end of the day is the best time to measure due to swelling during the day.

  • Cut a strip of paper or a piece of string
  • Place it around your third finger
  • Mark with a pen the points where the ends meet
  • Measure between the two points in mm

Once you have this measurement, you can use a chart to choose your closest ring size. And don’t forget that your fingers can swell in warm weather, so don’t go too small. 

Can you get sample wedding rings?

Yes, some jewellers offer silver wedding ring samples for under £10, refundable off the final purchase. This is a great way to confirm your finger size and also try out the style and width of ring.

Types Of Wedding Rings

2. What Are The Different Shapes Of Wedding Rings? 

Whether you need a wedding ring for a man or a woman, there are lots of different shapes to choose from. Each one has different benefits, from being lightweight, having a traditional look, being ultra-comfortable, and sitting nicely next to an engagement ring. 

When choosing the right shape of the wedding ring for you and your partner, you should consider all of the different types as it isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ situation. So whether you want a ring to fit a man or woman, let’s consider what the different shapes of wedding rings are. 

These may also be called profiles, and a bit variant in the different types of wedding rings.

Court Shaped Wedding Ring

Often referred to as the “court profile wedding ring”. It is one of the most comfortable ones that you will come across. It appears rounded, but its cross-section is almost oval.

It’s designed to be smooth and round so there nothing to rub against your finger causing friction and being comfortable.

D Shaped Wedding Ring

As the name suggests, the cross-section of this ring looks like the letter D. It has a rounded top but the inside edge of the ring is flat.

They are known to be fairly lightweight and one of the most traditional wedding bands. They also fit well next to an engagement ring. 

Double Comfort Wedding Ring

Totally the opposite is the double comfort shape wedding ring. It is flat all around with a rectangular cross-section. 

They are most common as a men’s wedding ring and has a modern, stylish look and feel to it.  

Flat Wedding Ring

The flat profile is exactly how it sounds; flat on all surfaces, inside and out! The result is a chunky style with a nice heavy feel.

Flat Court Wedding Ring

Similar to the flat profile, however has a curved inner edge for a comfortable fit. The flat-court still attains the look of the flat profile when on the finger, but much easier to wear if you are not used to wearing rings.

Halo Shaped Wedding Ring

Halo shaped rings are rounded on every side with a cross-section that looks like a full circle. 

They are popular as wedding rings for women as they are typically a thinner band that sits well next to an engagement ring.

wedding ring metals on a nail

3. Which Wedding Ring Metal Is Best?

Once you have tried a few different ring shapes and decided which works best for you in terms of look and comfort, it’s time to choose what metal you prefer too. Metal price may influence your decision and direct when the best time to buy a wedding ring.

Different metals have different weights, finishes, and colours, but should all be durable and hard-wearing. The metal will likely be the big decision when choosing between the different types of wedding rings available.

The best metals for wedding rings are:

Gold

You will find both white, yellow, and rose gold wedding rings. Yellow gold is the most common and traditional, but rose gold has been increasingly popular since Cartier introduced it for jewellery. But bear in mind that white gold needs more maintenance than rose gold due to it needing to be rhodium plated . 

Platinum

Platinum is a white metal, that is durable but usually costly. It’s one of the most popular metals for engagement and wedding rings. But consider the weight of platinum as it is heavier than other metals. 

Two Metal

The two metal wedding rings feature two types of metals that are combined to form an attractive piece. The metals combined can be gold/silver, gold/platinum, silver/platinum, and so on. 

Wooden

Wooden wedding rings are not as popular and usually almost exclusively reserved for the groom. There may be metal or precious stones combined with the wood, which is usually koa, walnut, maple, cherry, elm, poplar, aspen, sandalwood, hickory, eucalyptus, or others.

For more information and types of metals used in wedding rings, as well as the pros and cons of each, you can read our complete guide here.

5. How Much Does A Wedding Ring Weigh? 

Wedding rings can weigh differently for a number of reasons. Even if they look the same and have the same style and shape they can have different weights. The average weight of a wedding ring is about 4 grams, but this depends on a few factors like:

  • Material
  • Ring Size
  • Thickness
  • Shape

Consider all of these factors when choosing your ring as you might find that a lighter ring is more comfortable to wear. Traditionally, women’s wedding rings tend to be lighter than men’s wedding rings, but it should come down to personal preference and comfort. 

gold wedding rings with diamonds

6. Stones

Wedding rings can be inlaid with precious stones. The most sought after stone for a wedding band is diamond, but other stones can be features in wedding rings either on their own or in clusters. You can read our extensive guide to gemstones for a more detailed breakdown.

Diamond

Diamonds are the most common and most wanted stone on wedding rings. They are stunning and really are something special to see. But their value usually means that buying a diamond wedding ring can be costly. 

Birth Stones

Other stones, like ruby, emerald, sapphire, and amethyst, are also common features on wedding rings. There are a host of other birthstones that are chosen for the price points and the way they look on a wedding band. 

7. Does A Wedding Ring Have To Be Expensive?

When you choose a wedding ring, bear your budget in mind. Wedding rings don’t have to be expensive. Some metals and styles of wedding ring are more expensive than others, so bear this in mind when choosing which wedding rings to buy.

If you want a less expensive or cheap wedding ring consider:

A Stoneless Band

Adding a stone, like diamonds or sapphires, will increase your cost. Keep your wedding band plain and stoneless to keep the price down

Cheaper Materials

Titanium, zirconium, and tungsten are common wedding ring metals that are a lot cheaper than more traditional metals like gold and platinum. But they are just as durable. 

Second Hand

You might not have considered buying a second hand ring before, but you can grab a bargain by buying a used wedding ring. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller who has certificates for any stones. And never send money for a ring you haven’t physically seen.

The Complete Guide To Different Types Of Wedding Rings

You might not have known that there are so many different types of wedding rings available in the UK. And while it’s not as complicated as shopping for an engagement ring, it’s not altogether simple either. 

Make sure you carefully consider each of the seven options in our guide, from size, shape, and style, to metal, weight, and stones. And don’t forget to factor your budget into your decisions as you can easily spend thousands of pounds on just one wedding ring nevermind two.

For more information about budgeting your wedding, you can find lots of tips, tricks, and information in our complete guide to wedding budgets.

For the chance to win £500 off your wedding ring, visit our competition page to win a wedding ring.

 

 

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