Wedding rings are a traditional part of weddings since the time of ancient Egypt. In the Western world, the wedding rings are worn on the left hand, on the third finger. In other parts of the world, the wedding ring is often worn on the right hand, on the third finger. Wedding rings are a symbol of unending love—hence the circle design.
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Traditionally, the groom will purchase an engagement ring for his intended. The couple later choose their wedding bands together. Note that wedding rings and wedding bands are terms often used interchangeably, but sometimes wedding bands denote just a simple band, while wedding rings denote a band with one or more stones. Be clear when communicating with the store you are purchasing from.
I often get asked: How much should I spend on an engagement ring? The tradition is generally two month’s salary. Then the next question I get is: How much should we spend on the wedding rings? Statistics tell us that most couple’s spend about $2000 for both rings. Of course, you can spend as much or as little as you like on a ring. Consider that long after the wedding day is over, the rings will be the lasting daily reminder, so choose well.
Wedding rings choices are many, and typical metals include silver, gold, platinum, and palladium. Gaining in popularity are wedding bands made from tungsten carbide, black tungsten carbide, black zirconium, cobalt chrome, and titanium. In addition, environmentally conscious couples are more and more choosing synthetic diamonds instead of the real thing. At a fraction of the cost, it is a viable alternative for many couples—and there is no discernable difference to the naked eye. We will explore all your options, as well as what to watch for when purchasing, in the next segments of this topic.
Remember, that when it comes to diamonds, the different grade levels can rarely been seen with the naked eye—unless it is a very low quality diamond. Most couples do not choose to go for an investment piece for their wedding ring, but choose something that looks nice to the naked eye.