The perfect engagement ring deserves the perfect matching wedding band. Yet, how much you want your wedding set to match all comes down to personal preference. Some want an exact match, while others prefer a more intricate pairing. Whatever you’re dreaming of for your bridal set, this guide to choosing a wedding band will help you find the right match.
To find your perfect match, you’ll want to pay attention to your rings’ design details. The more design elements two rings have in common, the more they will appear to go together. If you want your rings to look perfectly matched, you’ll want them to share most or all of the same design elements. If you want your rings to look complementary, but not exactly the same, you’ll want them to share several, but not all, of the same elements.
Metal Match
If you want your wedding ring and engagement ring to be a very close match, you’ll certainly want them to share the same type of metal. Precious metal color is a powerful design element that can strongly tie two different pieces of jewelry together, even when they’re otherwise very different from one another.
If you don’t want a perfect match, you can experiment with different metal pairings. You can mix and match metals however you like, but know that mixing and matching high contrast metals tends to look more intentional than pairing similar metals together. For example, if you have a rose gold engagement ring, a platinum wedding band will contrast more than a yellow gold band, and thus the pairing will look more intentional.
Band Shape
An important aspect of finding the right wedding band is understanding how other rings will rest against your engagement ring. Some engagement rings have raised settings that other rings can slip under, allowing straight wedding bands to sit flush against them. Other engagement rings have lower settings that stop straight bands from sitting flush against them. A gapped effect can be especially noticeable on lower profile rings with elongated stones or protruding halo settings.
For a close match, you’ll want your rings to fit together seamlessly like puzzle pieces. That’s easily accomplished if you have space for a straight band to fit under your engagement ring. If you don’t, you’ll want to consider a curved wedding band or a dramatically contoured wedding band, depending on how much curve you need.
Diamond Shape
If you’re searching for a diamond wedding band for a diamond engagement ring, pay attention to matching both the shape and cut of your ring’s diamonds. Diamond shape is an obvious design element, but diamond cut is a finer detail not everyone is familiar with.
There are two main types of diamond cuts: brilliant cut and step cut. Brilliant cut diamonds have tiny facets that create lots of sparkle, while step cut diamonds have linear facets that create flashes of light reflection. Examples of brilliant cut diamonds include round brilliant, oval, princess, marquise, and cushion. Examples of step cut diamonds include emerald, asscher, and baguette cut diamonds.
Matching both the shape and cut of your center diamond and accent diamonds creates the closest match, but that’s not always easy to do if your ring has unique stone shapes. While it’s easy to find a round pavé diamond wedding band, a wedding band with asscher cut diamond accents is a rare find.
If your engagement ring features a more unique diamond shape, you can still create a close visual match by choosing a wedding band with the same cut style. A round pavé diamond band will match most brilliant cut rings, while a baguette wedding band will look lovely with most step cut rings.
Gemstone Type
If you’re choosing a wedding band for a gemstone engagement ring, consider whether you want to pair it with a plain band or a gemstone band. A plain wedding band in a matching precious metal can provide a close match, while a ring with gemstones that echo your center stone would be the closest match. If your gemstone ring has diamond accents, choosing a band with the same type of diamond accents is also an excellent matching option.
Style Details
Another way to create a great match is to choose a band that matches your engagement ring style. For example, if you have a vintage engagement ring with milgrain detailing, choose a vintage wedding band with milgrain detailing. Or, if you have a sleek twisted band engagement ring, opt for a twisted wedding band.
For some, having wedding rings with the exact same design details is too matchy-matchy. If that’s the case for you, consider going for a wedding band with just one or two of your engagement ring’s design details, or a classic wedding band with no adornments. There’s a reason plain metal bands are an eternally popular option. Their plain design not only makes them great for those with active lifestyles, but also allows them to match a wide range of engagement ring styles.
Find Your Perfect Wedding Band at Bridal Rings
Find a beautiful match for your engagement ring at Bridal Rings. Explore our wedding ring collection and discover a wide variety of modern, vintage-inspired, and classic styles. Visit our Downtown Los Angeles showroom or browse our online jewelry store and discover your perfect pair of rings.