The Ultimate Guide To Buying The Perfect Wedding Ring

Wedding Ring Buying Guide

Most couples probably assume that finding the ideal wedding ring is easily done if you have a rough idea of your perfect wedding jewellery look.

But don’t be fooled, the ideal wedding ring search demands a lot of thought and research, considering you’ll want to wear it for the rest of your life – ideally.

Whether you’ll want it as something unique or just a traditional band, learning about your options and how to choose your perfect style that matches your budget is vital.

At Ovadia Jewellery in Hatton Garden, we are wedding ring experts and have dealt with many customers on their journey to identify their perfect jewellery match. We have used this experience to compile this comprehensive guide with the following tips that cover every essential factor you should consider before putting that ring on.

Factor 1: Clarify your wedding ring options

Gold – white or yellow, titanium, platinum – deciding on the metal for your wedding ring is always the right place to start. Although it seems overwhelming, you can think of it this way:

  • Are you after a simple band or one with an added touch?
  • Do you want a perfect complement to your engagement ring?
  • Should your ring and that of your partner match?

At our Ovadia London Jewellery shop, you will find different high-quality metals to choose from such as

Good value Yellow Gold – a very popular metal as it contains 70-75% pure gold layered up with alloys – offers a luxury look despite being affordable.

All-time-favourite Platinum – extremely durable metal for eternity.

Lightweight Titanium – ideal for the practical types as the hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant grey metal offers longevity.

Feminine Rose Gold – mainly chosen by women as this metal’s colour goes well with most wedding dress styles.

Resistant Palladium – this modern metal is popular among younger active couples as it withstands the hazards of everyday life.

Factor 2: Consider both the ring and the bands

Knowing the bands that match the engagement ring can help in your decision. For example, with a unique engagement ring, you’ll want a no-fuss band, while a simple engagement ring will demand a band with some embellishments.

Also, consider whether the rings fit together. If you’re planning on wearing both your engagement and wedding ring, go after an interlocking or a shadow band designed to complement the engagement ring.

However, if wearing your wedding ring alone is your plan, you might have to choose a bolder style and look to make up for the missing engagement ring.

Our jewellery experts at Ovadia Jewellery can advise you best on how to find a band that will work with your ring. We also offer creating or providing both rings for you to ensure you get the best wedding ring deal.

Knowing the bands that match the engagement ring can help in your decision. For example, with a unique engagement ring, you’ll want a no-fuss band, while a simple engagement ring will demand a band with some embellishments.

Also, consider whether the rings fit together. If you’re planning on wearing both your engagement and wedding ring, go after an interlocking or a shadow band designed to complement the engagement ring.

However, if wearing your wedding ring alone is your plan, you might have to choose a bolder style and look to make up for the missing engagement ring.

Our jewellery experts at Ovadia Jewellery can advise you best on how to find a band that will work with your ring. We also offer creating or providing both rings for you to ensure you get the best wedding ring deal.

Factor 3: Search for your ring early

Now that you have the basic idea of what kind of a ring is your ideal choice, it’s time to shop around and try them. Two or three months before the wedding date offers a good time frame without being in a rush.

You’ll also have this time to research prices, browse and revisit the rings your heart is set on. In case you got your eyes caught by a custom ring, it may take even more time, bearing in mind other services like engraving, can take almost a month.

At our Ovadia Boutique, we will inform you about the time it takes from picking your wedding ring to having it customized and individualized.

Factor 4: Mixing it up

You like platinum and your partner wants yellow gold? No reason to fret. It is not compulsory to choose the same metal or even style. You could split the difference by compromising with braided bands blending the two metals or you could choose different metals but have the same gemstones for example.

Finding something of mutual taste largely depends on choosing wedding bands that can unite your styles. We are happy to offer our advice as jewellery experts. You can compare various options before making a final decision.

Factor 5: Set a budget

Say ‘yes I do’ to that ring considering that spending around 3 percent of the wedding budget on the rings is a crucial assumption. Although the cost may vary based on the retailer, 14-karat gold or a simple platinum band cost approximately $1,000.

Diamond embellishments and engravings will quickly add to the cost. It is important to note that the engraving price is generally based on the font used, the number of characters, and whether it is a machine or hand engraved.

Trying to reduce wedding costs to save money isn’t easy if you don’t want to compromise. You might be tempted to get cheaper jewellery, but your wedding ornaments are timeless and priceless memorabilia that can be handed down from generation to generation. Good quality can last a lifetime. So, think twice where you want to make those savings.

Factor 6: Let the ring suit your lifestyle

Remember you’ll have to wear the band every day. So, choose a wedding ring style that will conveniently remain a part of your life. If you like playing instruments or sports, having a slimmer, more comfortable ring will be more advisable as it won’t hinder you executing daily tasks.

If most of your work involves your hands, a simple metal ring would be the best, but avoid gemstones and carvings that might become loose or get stuck. For the super active, the best ring metal would be the extra durable platinum which is merely affected when scratched.

Factor 7: Try different rings

Buying The Perfect Wedding Ring

We have often witnessed that couples end up loving something completely different from what they originally envisioned. Wear it on your finger while in our store, try doing different tasks like texting, writing, and other comfort tests that might help you get a better feel for the ring.

Factor 8: Take it for the long term

Fashion trends can impact our choices. It is therefore important to carefully think about the ring you will love for years and years to come. Your taste might change so you should choose a style that you’re sure to enjoy and cherish as long as possible.

You can always make changes, for example, from platinum to yellow gold or by adding diamonds. Later on, you can mark changes by a special anniversary or added engravings.

Factor 9: Remember the maintenance

The following simple tips will help you keep your precious jewellery pieces in perfect shape

  • Warm, sudsy water will help to keep your ring stunning.
  • Soak the ring in the water, then with an eyebrow brush or a toothbrush, brush it gently.
  • Avoid exerting too much pressure when brushing; it can loosen the stones from their original setting.
  • Use a soft lint-free cloth to rinse and dry it.

However, if you go for a platinum or fuss-free gold ring, a simple rub using a soft, lint-free cloth should do the job.

Factor 10: Consider the size

Remember to make sure your body temperature is average and also that you are calm when scheduling the fitting for your final ring. Don’t schedule it first thing in the morning; your body could have retained the water from the night, just like your fingers swell right after exercise.

Your hands may also shrink or expand when you’re extremely cold or hot.

Factor 11: Check for the quality

For quality control purposes, manufacturers often provide proof for their metal quality. For example, a PLAT or 24k quality mark implies that the metal quality covers what the retailer promises. Both engagement rings and wedding bands are subjected to quality controls at Ovadia Jewellery through our expert designers.

When it comes to diamonds, the quality criteria are much more elaborate. This is why they should be certified by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), which ensures that the diamond quality is the best and covers the following points, also known as the 4C’s:

  • The diamond cut

    Although diamond cuts are often used to select the right quality, the type of cut usually forms a shape of polished stone. It can give the diamond a better sparkle or even a more elegant look while some change for a fashionable look.

  • The colour

    The diamond colour usually is graded on a scale ranging from D, colourless, to Z, commonly known as light. The most expensive diamonds are genuinely colourless, and they are the rarest. However, the most popular diamonds come in white colour.

  • Clarity

    The more expensive a diamond is, the fewer imperfections it has and consequently, the brighter it is. If your jeweller mentions the ‘inclusions’ when describing diamonds, they are simply the tiny fractures or the minerals in the diamond. Fewer inclusions exhibit a better diamond.

  • Carat weight

    Carat is simply the weight of the diamond. The heavier it is, the more expensive. However, a master jeweller, through proper shaping and mounting can make the diamond seem to be larger than its carat weight could suggest.

You can speak to our master diamond experts at Ovadia about your individually crafted diamond(s).

Factors for bespoke and custom-made ring designs

Custom Rings - Engagement ring guide
Are you wondering how much a custom ring costs? If you’re planning to have a bespoke wedding ring designed, you are probably wondering what makes the distinction from other mass-produced wedding rings in the market.

Besides the noticeable distinction of being designed and handcrafted just for you, the significant difference is that you’ll have to pay some extra cash while saving more in the long run.

For example, a custom ring design that costs around £15, 000 – £30, 000 will typically get a bigger stone, it’ll have more personalised settings, and the accent stones will have more carat weight.

A bespoke wedding ring allows reflecting the style and personality of the intended wearer. They come with infinite options, from the metal type to diamond style and the different shape of the gemstone, to the style or the design era.
Developing a wedding ring design is one of the most heartfelt ways to express how much you appreciate your partner.

Here are the main factors to consider for bespoke or custom rings:

Factor 1: Consider browsing

Remember, inspiration can come from many types of sources, even from where you never expected it. The sources may include watching people on your daily commute or people in the jewellery store – you might get a glimpse of a ring you totally adore.

More than that, you can try to browse around for the best jewellers and jewellery websites as well and find out what you are particularly interested in. Jewellery and fashion blogs often offer valuable advice, like our Ovadia Blog.

As stated, creating a wedding ring for yourselves is indeed the most creative way to reflect you and your partner’s personality, though it doesn’t mean that the design must be a brand-new idea.

You can borrow from classic designs, vintage or have some additional touches to a ring seen elsewhere. One of the best aspects about going bespoke is that you can add or detract whatever elements you like or dislike, to arrive at your ultimate wedding ring.

Factor 2: Consider your budget

As mentioned earlier, determining your maximum spent is key to making a clear decision on the amount you can afford to spend. Your expert jeweller at Ovadia can help determine what your money can buy you and how you best use it. If you’re considering buying a diamond wedding ring, you can use a diamond value estimator, which gives you a rough idea about the price you might have to pay. Often you will find that the colour aspect of a diamond is the biggest money saver.

Factor 3: Reusing an heirloom

Bespoke designs are usually a creative way to recycle an old valued diamond or ring while presenting it to your partner as something extremely precious and personal though still new. Think about what you already have, the stones you may like adding to your ring.

Diamonds are unique, each featuring their own identities, characteristics, and inclusions which makes the idea of representing your love with a unique design so affectionate and very personal. At the same time, you might get a good deal.

Factor 4: Have a chat with your Ovadia Jeweller

determine-what-diamonds-you-want-to-buy-at-OvadiaYou can draw up your design or take with you some ideas of your favourite bespoke ring designs for your Ovadia Jeweller to see. We will help you find out all the possibilities and determine the right one for you.

Before making that final call there are numerous considerations to bear in mind, including you and your partner’s lifestyle, job, hobbies, and so on. Being specialists in helping you design your own wedding ring, our team of experienced jewellery designers craft the finest wedding jewellery with a personal touch like engraving your message or symbol of love. We offer all our customers useful 3D sketchbooks displaying all designs for inspiration.

Factor 5: The time needed to design a bespoke wedding ring

Although most jewellers require an average of one month to create a bespoke design, it is crucial to keep in mind that designing and creating a ring that can last for a long time might take longer, especially if you desire more alterations throughout the process.

Craftsmanship, after your own distinct design, will take more time compared to the market’s mass-produced rings. You should therefore always plan ahead so you’re not stuck in front of the altar.

Factor 6: Personal touches

Have you figured out those personal touches which could be included in the overall design to make it more meaningful? It could be a memorable quote inscription or the date or place when you first met.

Your partner could be having an interest, like butterflies or something more significant to be encapsulated into your rings. Should you have an additional request like special wedding engravings, you should certainly mention them as early as possible to not add to the length of the customization process.

Find some useful ideas here: https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-rings-engraving-ideas-tips

Good luck on your wedding ring hunt

We hope that our Ovadia Jewellery expert tips are helping you with your search for your ideal wedding ring. We are confident as a leading dealer of the best wedding rings to have given you useful tips that will enable a successful wedding ring hunt.  For more information simply give us a call on +44 20 7405 1063 or email us to info@ovadiajewellery.com.