Are you looking for the perfect wedding ring? Our wedding ring buying guide is here to help! Discover everything you need to know about how to buy a wedding ring, from setting a budget to choosing the right style.
With our expert tips for buying wedding rings for women and wedding rings for men, you’ll find the best way to buy a wedding ring that symbolizes your love and commitment.
What do Wedding Rings Symbolize?
Wedding rings symbolize eternal love and commitment between partners. They are a physical representation of a couple’s vows and serve as a constant reminder of their union and devotion to each other.
Shop Wedding Rings for Him
Unique rings that fit your personality
Shop Wedding Rings for Her
Find the perfect ring for your special day
Origin Of the Wedding Ring
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings dates back to ancient Egypt, where rings made of braided hemp or reed were exchanged during marriage ceremonies. The circle was believed to symbolize eternity, with no beginning or end, much like the love between the couple. The practice later spread to ancient Rome, where the ring was worn on the fourth finger on the left hand, as it was believed that a vein in that finger, called the “vena amoris,” or vein of love, was connected directly to the heart.
In medieval Europe, durable metals such as gold and silver became popular for wedding rings. Gemstones such as rubies and sapphires were later added for their beauty and significance. Diamonds, first used in the 15th century, became the go-to stone for wedding rings by the mid-20th century. Today, while diamonds remain classic, gemstones like rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls are also popular choices.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Wedding Ring
This guide will walk you through the entire process, providing essential wedding ring purchase tips and insights on how to shop for a wedding ring. Whether you’re looking for classic elegance or modern flair, our comprehensive guide has got you covered. Let us make your wedding ring shopping experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Setting a Budget
Before you start shopping, you should sit down and do some financing with your partner, which involves allocating a budget for the wedding ring. You’ll find a wide range of options to suit every budget. Lab-grown diamonds are an affordable option if you’re looking for bigger carat sizes on a budget.
Choosing a Ring Style
Your wedding ring should reflect your partner’s personal style and the bond you share. You can choose a plain wedding band for a timeless look or opt for a modern wedding ring with intricate details and a center stone.
Some of the most popular wedding ring styles include:
- Eternity: This ring features a continuous line of diamonds or gemstones encircling the band, and signifies never-ending love.
- Half-Eternity: This ring features stones set across the top half of the ring. They are less heavy and more comfortable for daily wear.
- Ring Enhancers: Ring enhancers add more embellishment and texture to your engagement ring. They are super popular right now and are here to stay.
- Plain Bands: These are plain metal bands forged from precious metals like gold and platinum. A popular style for men, these feature various finishes like matte, satin, hammered and so on. Moreover, you can pick bands with distinctive patterns like arrow and milgrain, among others.
PS. If you haven’t shopped for an engagement ring yet, you can opt for a bridal set. This features an engagement ring and wedding ring designed to be worn together—although the wedding band will be worn only on and after the wedding day. Buying a bridal set is a great option if you’re looking to save time and effort shopping for a wedding ring while you’re busy planning the wedding.
We suggest you explore various styles to find one that speaks to you.
Selecting the Metal Type
The metal you choose for the wedding ring will impact its appearance and durability. Consider options like gold, white gold, silver and platinum. Gold is classic and warm, white gold is contemporary, silver is affordable, and platinum is luxurious and durable, ideal for a long-lasting ring. So, pick one that aligns with your partner’s lifestyle and preferences.
Shop Plain Wedding Bands
Traditional rings that symbolize your love
Picking the Stone
Choosing the right center stone is essential. While diamonds are classic, you can also consider gemstones like sapphire, ruby, emerald, pearl, amethyst, garnet and tanzanite for a unique touch. When choosing the center stone, consider durability, color, and personal significance. It’s essential to select a stone that not only looks beautiful but also fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Financing Options
Consider the various financing options available to make your purchase accessible and stress-free. Many jewelers offer credit or debit card payments, e-wallets, PayPal, wire transfers, and interest-free installment plans.
Warranty and Insurance
One of the most important wedding ring purchase tips we can offer you and that you should never forget is to invest in a warranty and insurance plan for your wedding rings.
An insurance plan will safeguard your ring against loss, theft or damage. It is recommended that you insure your ring upon purchase. You can add it as a floater to your home insurance plan or get standalone insurance for additional safety.
The Angara Difference
Angara is a family-run, family-owned business with generations of expertise in diamond and gemstone jewelry making. All our wedding rings and bands are handcrafted by our master jewelers. Our ‘Create With Angara’ feature allows you to create your dream ring from scratch – ensuring you get exactly the ring you want. What’s more, we have a free 30-day resizing policy in place, so you can make adjustments to your ring if needed. We also provide an Angara Certificate of Authenticity with every piece, detailing all the product details.
You can also use our free engraving service to add a heartfelt message to your wedding ring, making it even more special.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What to look for when buying a wedding ring?
When buying a wedding ring, look for the gemstone’s cut, carat, style and certification of authenticity.
2. What to know before buying a wedding ring?
Before buying a wedding ring, it’s important to consider the durability of the ring. Ideally, you must keep your partner’s lifestyle in mind when choosing a ring.
3. When to buy a wedding ring?
Ideally, you should buy a wedding ring 3-4 months before the wedding date.
4. How to buy a wedding ring on a budget?
Check if the jeweler has financing options. Angara offers Easy Pay installments, which allow you to shop now and pay back in 2 or 3 monthly installments. Lab-grown diamonds and gemstones are an affordable option if you’re on a budget.
5. How to go wedding ring shopping as a couple?
Discuss budget, preferences, and styles before shopping to ensure a smooth experience.
6. What are the rules for buying a wedding ring?
There are no hard and fast rules for buying wedding rings. However, it’s important to keep your partner’s preferences in mind when purchasing the ring since they’re the ones who’ll be wearing the ring eventually.
