Your Guide To The Perfect Mens Wedding Band

From the moment of your wedding, your wedding bands will be something you will wear for the rest of your life, so it’s important to get it right. With so many things to consider, it can feel like a bit of a minefield, so we’ll cover all the aspects you’ll need to know about to make the perfect pick.

Style

The first thing to consider is the style of the wedding, know as the profile. There are three main categories of profiles, each with its own benefits.

• Court Profile

The Court profile is a traditional wedding ring style. It has a curved outside and a curved inside. The subtle curvature of the ring makes it a comfortable ring, so a popular option for gents not used to wearing rings. Slight Court profiles are also available, which have less of a curve to them.

• ‘D’ Shape

The ‘D’ profile is also a traditional wedding ring style. It has a more accentuated curve than the Traditional Court, but is flat on the inside. The flat inside also lends itself for clear engraving if it is wanted.

• Flat

The Flat profile is a very contemporary style. It has a flat outside and a flat inside. It tends to look chunkier that the Court or ‘D’ profile options. However, there are many variations you can have on the flat profile, such as having it with rounded edges to give it a slightly softer look. You can also have a flat outside with a curved inside, known as a Flat Court, which lowers the ring to fit more flush to the finger, often proving more comfortable for the wearer.

Metals

A very commonly asked question is, ‘What metal is best for me?’ This is a very easy answer for ladies wearing an engagement ring, but for a wedding ring that will sit by itself on the finger, there’s a little more to consider.

• 18ct White Gold

18ct White Gold is the most popular metal, combining durability and value. White Gold is softer in colour than Platinum, which ladies and gents often like. However, Gold is naturally a golden colour, it's the alloys mixed with the gold that determines its final colour. White Gold has a very slight hint of yellow in its colour, so it is Rhodium plated to give it its bright appearance, but this will wear off over time, so may need to be replated every few years.

• Platinum

Platinum is the hardest wearing of all the precious metals. It is a true white metal, so you needn't worry about replating. It has a slightly more grey tone than White Gold, especially after it has surface scratches. It’s particularly good for gents that have labour heavy jobs, as it will withstand the wear and tear, however it is the most costly of the metals.

• Palladium

Palladium is a true white metal from the Platinum family, a new-comer to the market. It is hypo-allergenic like Platinum and you won’t find it tarnishing over time. As it’s not as dense as Platinum, the equivalent wedding ring will feel lighter. However, as it’s a relatively new metal, not all jewellers will work with Palladium as it is harder to size and repair than other precious metals.  

• 18ct Yellow Gold

18ct Yellow Gold has a beautiful rich yellow colour. It is typically the traditional metal for wedding bands. It requires no maintenance and is easy to repair and resize. Yellow Gold is often chosen if the gentleman wears a yellow gold signet ring, so they complement one another. It is slightly softer than Platinum, but you shouldn’t find any real durability issues.

• 18ct Rose Gold

18ct Rose Gold has a real warmth to the colour, suited to certain skin tones. It has recently rocketed in popularity, now becoming quite a fashionable choice. It’s also hard wearing for Gold and, like Yellow Gold, requires little maintenance. It comes in slightly different colours, so can be a little more difficult to size. Its also not a colour to everybodies taste.

Width

The ideal width of a wedding ring really depends on personal preference. The difference in widths can have a big impact on the overall weight of the ring and of course, the price. The average gentleman's wedding ring is between 4mm and 6mm. Different hand shapes and sizes lend themselves to different widths. If you’re not sure, it’s worth trying them on to see which is best for you.

Weight

Once you’ve chosen the ring style you like, you can then choose the weight of the ring. It’s worth baring in mind the different weights can change the physical shape of the ring. The weight has a direct impact on the cost, durability and comfort of the wedding band, so it’s important to get one that combines these factors perfectly for you.

• Light-Weight

Light-weight rings are more suitable for certain profiles of rings than others, for example a light-weight Court profile can have a more pronounced edge, feeling a little sharper, whereas a light-weight ‘D’ profile sits very close to the finger, so some gentlemen say it’s very comfortable. Light-weight rings are also the most economic option in terms of budget.

• Medium-Weight

Medium-weight is the most popular. It combines durability and comfort. It’s a suitable weight for all profile styles. If you decide to go for a Palladium wedding band, we recommend medium-weight or higher, as it can be brittle.

• Heavy-Weight

Heavy-weight wedding rings are best for people who like to feel the weight of their ring in everyday life. Its also a popular option for gents that have a particularly manual job.   

A full selection of our wedding bands and all the options are available on our website. If you still want some more guidance or to try the rings on, feel free to book an appointment with us.

Don’t forget we also do bespoke designs, including mixed metals, and different patterns, finishes and engravings. Contact us today to discuss your bespoke requirements.