The jewelry you wear can carry deeply personal meaning. Engagement rings and wedding bands are a tell-tale symbol of love and commitment. Searching for the right ring can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming with so many options to choose from.
There are several things to ask yourself before you begin the search for a ring:
- What type of wedding ring is right for you?
- Do you want your wedding rings to match?
- Do you want diamonds in your ring?
- Do you want to create custom rings?
- Will both of you receive an engagement ring, or just one?
- Will you be buying the rings together or individually?
Fortunately, it’s easy to explore all of your options online with Ritani, a high-end jewelry brand modernizing the way people purchase diamond engagement rings and jewelry.
Ring Styles
There are many styles and settings to choose from, so we partnered with the team of jewelry experts at Ritani to take a look at all the options available. These rings are perfect for engagement rings, wedding bands or both.
Eternity Rings
An eternity ring is a stunning option that has diamonds going all the way around the ring. It’s not only beautiful in its appearance but its symbolism for the eternal love you have for each other. Eternity rings are super versatile as they can be stacked with other rings or worn on their own. Eternity rings make a great engagement ring or wedding ring. They’re also an excellent choice for an anniversary gift.
5-Stone Bands
You guessed it—these rings contain five diamonds on the band. These bands are great for all genders and can also serve as an engagement ring or a wedding band. They are also perfect for stacking with other rings.
9-Stone Bands
These rings contain nine stones across the band. A 9-stone band makes a great option for all genders, and can also serve as an engagement ring or as an anniversary present. They’re also perfect for stacking. If you love diamonds but don’t want to go all-out on an eternity band, a five stone or nine stone band can be a more affordable alternative for you. Deciding the number of diamonds you want on your band is all about personal preference.
Men’s Bands
Men’s wedding bands come in many different styles to match your tastes and are a great option for people of any gender looking for a more masculine ring style. Ritani offers dozens of styles, from diamond, modern, classic and even trendy two-toned rings. The most common metals used for wedding bands are gold and platinum. Many people opt for platinum because it’s incredibly sturdy and will never require replating over time. Platinum has an average lifespan of 30-40 years while yellow gold has a lifespan of 20-30 years. White gold has a lifespan of seven to 12 years.
You should consider your personal style before selecting a band in order to get a ring you’re comfortable with. After all, you’ll be wearing it every day! For example, if you’re a T-shirt and jeans kind of person, you might want to opt for a plain classic band. Or if you’re more fashion-forward, you might want to opt for a modern ring.
Because men’s rings are generally pretty wide, they can be difficult to stack. People who wear more masculine rings and who have an engagement ring often opt to wear their engagement ring on their right hand and their wedding ring on their left hand.
Women’s Bands
Women’s bands also come in many different styles. Women’s band styles at Ritani are offered in plain, diamond and eternity. Women’s bands are a great option for people of any gender looking for a more feminine ring style with a thinner band size. Traditionally, your wedding band metal should match your engagement ring metal.
A classic band is perfect for low-key, everyday wear. A classic band will look great paired with any diamond engagement ring. You may want to consider a plain, classic band if you are worried about diamond or prong damage. If you’re looking for a little extra sparkle, opt for a diamond ring such as a French-set diamond ring or an eternity band. These rings will also look stunning when worn on their own. If you love the look of eternity bands but can’t reason with the price, consider French-set diamond rings. The diamonds on a French-set ring only encircle the top half of the band.
Should our bands match?
The choice of whether or not to have matching wedding bands is entirely up to you! After all, heterosexual couples don’t always have matching bands. Your ring should feel comfortable and match your personal style. But if you both love the same style of ring, then go for it!
Creating a custom ring
You may want to craft a custom ring that is as unique as your love.
Creating a custom ring can be an exciting and fun experience with your future spouse if you choose to create one together. Ritani allows you to consult a jewelry designer online for free. The jewelry designer will help you find the right diamond, create a custom 3D rendering of your ring, and quote you with a price. Ritani’s gemologists do not receive commission so you’ll never be pressured into buying a ring out of your price range. Once the ring is completed, you can preview it for free at a local jeweler. Most jewelers will preview a ring using cubic zirconia, but Ritani uses actual diamonds for the preview ring, so you can be satisfied with the final result. There is no obligation to buy your custom ring if you see it and don’t like it.
Congratulations on your engagement! Here’s to your future together—and hopefully some gorgeous rings.
This is a paid post in partnership with Ritani, a high-end jewelry brand modernizing the way people purchase diamond engagement rings and jewelry. See Ritani’s page in our directory of LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding venues and vendors.
