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Pairing an Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

pairing engagement ring wedding band

For many people and couples, engagement rings and wedding bands serve as two halves of an eventual whole. They will wear their engagement ring during the period of engagement leading up to the wedding, after which the wedding band will be combined into this design for a pairing that’s meant to remain for the rest of your life.

At AAA Jewelers, we’re happy to assist with both parts of this approach, from beautiful diamond engagement rings to numerous wedding band and ring options, including for those who want to pair these two items together. For many, the real crux of this is the wedding band — you’ll already have selected a wonderful engagement ring for yourself or your partner, and the main goal will be finding a wedding band that’s complementary. Here are some important variables to consider as you’re going through this process.

Gemstone Selection

The first and one of the most important parts of this process, and one that traces back to the engagement ring selection, is gemstone selection. You’ll want to make sure that the gemstones on both the engagement ring and wedding band are either of the same or similar colors. If they’re different, it can look a bit off, no matter how well they may be paired together.

Diamonds are the most popular gemstone selection for wedding bands, as they can match with any color stone on an engagement ring. However, other gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds can also be beautiful selections for either the engagement ring or wedding band. Some people prefer to match their wedding band with colored gemstones, for instance, while having a diamond engagement ring. If you’re going this route, it’s important to decide which will be the center stone of your ring and base all other decisions off of that.

Setting Technique

Once you’re fully decided on the gemstone itself, it’s time to think about the wedding band’s setting and how this will complement or contrast with the engagement ring. You’ll want to make sure that the setting style on the wedding band is either similar or different from the engagement ring. If they’re too close together, it can look cluttered; if they’re too far apart, there can be a noticeable contrast and clash.

There are six primary settings for wedding bands:

  • Pave: This setting refers to a collection of small gemstones that line the band, leading to a sparkly and luxurious look.
  • Channel: This setting is similar to pave, but with larger gemstones set in a metal channel. This gives the band a more streamlined and geometric appearance.
  • U-Shape: This type of setting features a row of gemstones that curves around the top half of the band.
  • Bezel: In a bezel setting, the gemstone is surrounded by a metal border. This makes the stone appear as if it’s floating on the band and creates an elegant look. This is also a very secure setting for any ring.
  • Prong basket: This setting uses metal prongs to create small “baskets” around the gemstone. This setting is common with diamond engagement rings and gives a more vintage look.
  • Compass: If you want a setting that aligns each prong with cardinal points from the compass, this is the option for you.

Stone Shape

The actual gemstone used is very important, as we already discussed, but often overlooked is the shape of the stone. Different shapes can evoke different feelings or moods, so it’s important to select a shape that will mesh well with both the engagement ring and your personal style.

You’ll want to consider the following shapes when selecting your wedding band: round, princess, marquise, cushion, pear, oval and emerald. Again, you can choose either the same shape or different shapes for both the engagement ring and wedding band.

For instance, if your engagement ring is a round solitaire diamond, you might want to chose a round wedding band. Alternatively, if your engagement ring has a marquise diamond, you might want to choose a wedding band with marquise-shaped gemstones.

Width and Style of Band

When selecting the width of your wedding band, it’s important to keep in mind both the size of your fingers and the overall style of your ring. If your fingers are on the smaller side, you’ll want to choose a narrower band so that it doesn’t overpower your hand. Conversely, if your fingers are on the larger side, you’ll want to choose a wider band that will complement them.

The style of the wedding band is also important to consider. You’ll want to choose something that will be in keeping with the overall design of your engagement ring. If your engagement ring is a more simple design, you might want to choose a simpler wedding band. Conversely, if your engagement ring is more elaborate, you might want to choose a more intricate wedding band.

Metal Color

Another vital consideration when pairing an engagement ring and wedding band is the metal color. You’ll want to make sure that both rings have the same metal color, or if they don’t, that they complement each other well.

The most popular metal colors for wedding bands are yellow gold, rose gold, white gold and platinum. However, you can also choose a wedding band that’s made of titanium, tungsten or cobalt chrome. Some people will go outside the box and choose a wedding band that’s made of a different metal than their engagement ring, such as copper or brass.

When selecting your metal color, it’s important to keep in mind the type of metal that your engagement ring is made of. If your engagement ring is made of platinum, for example, you might want to choose a white gold wedding band. Or if your engagement ring is made of yellow gold, you might want to choose a rose gold wedding band.

When selecting your wedding band, it’s important to keep all of these things in mind. By choosing a ring that meshes well with your engagement ring, you’ll ensure that you have a beautiful and cohesive look that will last for years to come.

For more on how to pair your wedding band with the engagement ring that’s already been chosen, or to learn about any of our diamond engagement rings or other gemstone options, speak to the staff at AAA Jewelers today.