Improve Your Mood This Winter

Posted on: 12 February 2016

Wedding rings are a nuptials custom in many cultures. Your wedding ring will serve as a sign of your commitment and love for years to come. There are many interesting traditions in other cultures related to the exchange of rings, including:

• In ancient Rome, the bride wore her wedding ring on her thumb.
• The Puritans didn't wear wedding bands at all, as they considered them garish.
• Colonial couples exchanged wedding thimbles, which were considered a more practical alternative to wearing rings. After the nuptials, the bottom of the thimble was removed and cut away to create a ring for the new bride.

If you're planning on sticking with American wedding ring traditions, keep the following in mind when shopping for wedding rings:

To match, or not to match.

You definitely do not have to agree on the same band for both spouses, and in fact, many couples are each choosing their own distinctive band. Instead of potentially getting into a dispute regarding which ring to buy, choose a common feature that the two rings might have in common. For instance, select bands in the same kind of gold, with a similar stone, or that have an engraved message on the inside.

All gold is not created equal.

Do you know the difference between 24k and 14k gold? Is platinum better for bands than gold? The type of metal used in your ring directly impacts the price, so this is where your budget may come into play.

Talk to your jeweler about the different types of gold:

• 24k gold is 100% gold, without alloys.
• 18k gold is 74% gold, with some alloys that make the metal stronger.
• 14k gold is 58.5% gold, with alloys that make it harder still.
• Platinum is stronger and more expensive than 24k gold.

If you and your fiance are active individuals, a stronger ring might be a wiser choice. In this instance, it makes sense to consider going with 14k or 18k instead of pure gold bands, or to invest in the pricier and stronger platinum option.

When it comes to wedding rings, there really is no reason for either of you to settle for a ring that you are less than thrilled about. With so many options and unique approaches available, take a detour from tradition and create your own distinctive ring. Talk with quality jewelry retailers regarding your options and the best wedding rings to fit your budget.