How Much Is The Cost Of The Average Wedding Band
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While engagement rings for ladies are undoubtedly expensive, wedding bands for the groom are significantly cheaper. For instance, a typical wedding ring for the groom will cost around $500.
Unlike womens rings unfairly pressured into meeting a diamond standard, most men prefer tungsten for their wedding band. Besides tungsten, platinum, white gold, and titanium are also in demand. Note that the cost of high-end wedding bands for grooms will still pale in comparison to the cost of the brides diamond ring. Even if the bride in question opts for an opal, emerald, or another inexpensive gemstone, you can usually expect a lower price point when shopping for the groom.
Engagement Ring Vs Wedding Ring
Traditional engagement rings typically have one dominant stone, which either stands alone or is surrounded by additional smaller stones. An engagement ring is usually given as part of the proposal, or if not, at an early point in the engagement.
By contrast, a wedding ring is traditionally a plain metal band or a diamond-encrusted eternity band that you receive when you exchange your vows during the wedding ceremony and wear from then on. Typically, there’s also a fairly significant price difference between engagement rings and wedding rings even if the wedding band has inlaid diamonds or other gemstones, their total carat weight is generally less than that of the engagement ring.
You can, of course, throw tradition out the window. According to Taylor Lanore, a diamond consultant and engagement ring designer for Lauren B. Fine Jewelry and Diamonds, brides are having more of a say in the choice and design of their rings. And not only are they parting with tradition, but they’re opting to diversify their engagement and wedding ring selections. “People are doing whatever they want, and wedding bands offer the opportunity to have more flair,” she says.
Meet the Expert
Taylor Lanore is a diamond consultant and engagement ring designer for Lauren B. Fine Jewelry and Diamonds.
A Love To Last A Lifetime
Whether you wear your diamond engagement ring and wedding band on your right hand or left, your index finger or thumb, your ring finger is not what matters. More than just beautiful pieces of jewellery, your engagement and wedding rings symbolise a promise of your commitment to one another, your future experiences and your union together. They are an unwavering symbol of your love, now and Forever.
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What Is The Wedding Ring Finger
Sometimes, traditions can go unnoticed and blindly accepted for centuries. However, you might recall the first time you remember noticing married people wearing a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. Perhaps you wondered why everyone chose that particular hand and finger to represent their and marital bond.
You don’t have to go on wondering. By looking at the history of this symbolism, you can learn about the original meaning and folklore behind some jewelry customs.
Wedding Ring History: Ancient Rome
In Ancient Rome, the groom would present his bride with an iron ring, which is the origin of todays metal wedding bands. The durable material symbolized strength and permanence. It is believed that the Romans were the first to have their rings engraved. The Romans, as well as the Greeks, placed the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand because they believed that the finger contained the vena amoris, or the vein of love. Another theory behind the tradition is based on the Christian marriage ceremony. As the minister recited the binding prayer, he touched the thumb, forefinger and middle finger while saying in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. When the word amen was spoken, the minister placed the wedding band on the ring finger to seal the union. Rings still symbolize the union of two people and identify them as a couple. Although couples in many European countries wear their rings on the right hand, there is a theory that the left ring finger was selected as the preferred choice because the ring would receive less damage since most people are right handed.
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Romantic Engravements For Her
You may consider a romantic engravement for your bride-to-be. Especially if she watches a lot of romantic movies.
Anniversary of Your First DateWhats more romantic than remembering the first time you spent together as a couple? She will appreciate that you remember the date of your first date together.
The Date You ProposedOr, the date she proposed to you! Whats better than one of the most joyful moments of your life? This is a great option to engrave on your wedding ring.
Love QuotesLove quotes are always a good idea for romantics at heart. Take inspiration from poetry, or it could be something you all say to each other often. Even something as simple as I love you is an excellent option for engravement.
Sentiment of ForeverYouve found the one. Why not put it on the ring that youve found your forever love? Some examples of this could be Infinity or Forever and Always.
Family NameWhats more romantic that bringing together your families? Does she have a child already? Or a beloved pet? Put all your initials together for the perfect engraving.
Old EnglishPull inspiration from Shakespeare or other Old English writers. An engravement that has Old English is perfect for an English lover.
Native LanguageDoes your bride-to-be have a different native language than you? How romantic would it be to engrave a romantic quote in her native language? Only advice here is to make sure to have another native speaker double check it.
Find The Perfect Match At T H Baker
At T. H. Baker, we offer excellent customer service both in-store and online. We love to help couples on their unforgettable journey from those first thoughts of getting engaged to tying the knot and beyond. With over 130 years experience in the jewellery industry, you can buy from us with confidence. We wish you all the best on your quest to find the perfect wedding rings.
Explore our Wedding Rings Collection in store or online today.
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Get Your Perfect Wedding Ring With Portfolio Of Fine Diamonds
Now that you know the meaning behind the wedding ring and its symbol of love and honour, be sure to check out the great range of ladies wedding rings and mens wedding rings with our portfolio of diamond jewellery experts.
If you’d like to find out more about picking the perfect wedding ring get in touch with our team of experts today, and make your wedding day and the exchanging of vows, even more memorable.
Choose Jewelry That Reminds You Of Your Goals
Another way to level up your jewelry is by selecting pieces that can serve as a reminder to you. Represent your essence by choosing rings and other jewelry that symbolize your goals and purpose.
One piece of jewelry that can remind you to honor all sides of yourself is the Vitruvian Man ring. This piece of jewelry draws on a design from Da Vinci, and it posits the thought that humankind is multifaceted and always more than one thing.
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What Is A Wedding Ring Set
A wedding ring set has three matching rings – an engagement ring that matches the style of the bride and groom’s wedding bands. Most reputable jewellers sell wedding rings and engagement rings as a set so that they look stylish when they’re worn together, and the other matching wedding ring can be purchased alongside it.
Difference Between Engagement Rings & Wedding Bands
Throughout the years, wedding ring and wedding band have become practically synonymous. However, these rings have slightly different characteristics. A wedding ring is a band paved with diamonds or gemstones, while a wedding band is made up of a plain, simple band. The main difference between the two is preference. There are options of his and hers wedding bands in order to keep the rings simple during the ceremony, but there are many other options when it comes to picking out the wedding ring. On the one hand, the groom may choose a simpler wedding band to complement the brides expensive and extravagant engagement ring, but on the other hand, the groom may choose a more lavish wedding ring if the engagement ring is less flashy.
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What Is A Bridal Set
If the term is new to you, a bridal set is the technical term for your engagement and wedding rings when worn together, in a set, as they will be after your wedding day. Sometimes this is referred to as a wedding set but this can alternatively mean your engagement ring and both you and your partners wedding bands, so make sure youre speaking the same language as your jeweler when using these oft-interchangeable phrases.
The Materials Used For A Wedding Ring
The different metals and gems used in the design of wedding rings also carry some meaning for a newly married couple. The physical structure of the wedding ring, and the metals used to make them are tough metals to crack and break, and this represents the fact that the love that a married couple have for one another will also be tough to break.
Many couples will opt to add gems to a wedding ring, with diamond wedding rings in particular being a popular choice in recent years. Not only will this type of ring sit well with an engagement ring, but the use of a diamond is a symbol of the indestructible love that a couple have for each other. Diamonds are one of the toughest materials in the world and this toughness helps to symbolise the everlasting love that a couple will have for each other.
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What Is The Ring Finger
In many Western cultures, the ring finger is designated as the fourth finger on the left hand. The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on this digit originated from the belief that this finger has a vein running directly to the heart.
“Historically, wedding rings have been documented to be worn on every finger, even the thumb,” says jeweler Stephanie Selle. “Today, wedding rings are most commonly worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. But some countries including India, Germany, Spain, Norway, and Russia traditionally wear their wedding rings on their right hand.” Overall, it seems cultural traditions and norms set the standard for this custom. “It’s interesting that with all of the wedding traditions and trends that people decide to make their own in some way, the ring finger is one that most people keep,” notes Selle.
Meet the Expert
Stephanie Selle is a jeweler and jewelry history aficionado with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She is the owner of Washington-based With These Rings, a workshop specialized in helping couples forge their own rings.
Below, we delve into the intriguing story behind traditional ring finger placement and why you might choose to follow this custom. Plus, uncover other commonly asked questions and traditions behind engagement and promise rings.
BAILEY MARINER/BRIDES
Are Engagement Rings And Wedding Rings Different
Yes, they are different as engagement rings are given at the time of a proposal, while wedding rings are exchanged at the wedding ceremony. Engagement ring styles tend to be more intricate as well, such as one featuring a center diamond or gemstone. Wedding rings, on the other hand, are usually classic and simple in design.
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Different Types Of Diamonds
Coloured Gemstones for Wedding Rings
If blue is your colour, then youll love a Tanzanite stone. This vibrant blue coloured stone is extremely rare and can only be found near Kilimanjaro Tanzania. Buying a Tanzanite stone for your bride-to-be will not only win her heart over but its also a great financial investment because of the stones rarity.
One of our personal favourites is the pretty pink Morganite! This rare semi-precious gemstone is known for its excellent durability. Morganites are also found in larger sizes which make gorgeous Wedding Rings! The unique bride will love the lush green Emerald gemstone. The emerald is not as hard as a diamond and should be cleaned often using only warm water. Rubies are also a very popular Gemstone because of their deep red tone and extreme hardness.
4. On Which Hand Do You Wear A Wedding Ring?
Interestingly, this actually differs from country to country. Whether you wear your wedding ring on your left or right hand is influenced by cultural beliefs and traditions where you are from. In South Africa, we wear our rings on the ring finger of our left hand. Have a look at the cool image below to see which countries wear their rings on which hand and why:
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What Is A Wedding Band
Do you know the difference between a wedding band and an engagement ring? Both rings carry different meanings and style features. In order to differentiate the two, you first need to know what a wedding band is. A wedding bandalso referred to as a wedding ringis a ring that is worn on the ring finger of your left hand to indicate that you are married. Although mens and womens wedding bands differ in appearance, stackable bands are usually designed with a plain or simple shank.
A wedding band represents the special bond between two people. While understanding the history and meaning of a wedding band is important, its also critical to understand what it means to you and your relationship. Once you are confident that you know what a wedding band is, you can then figure out the meaning you want its style to symbolize for your own wedding.
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Engagement Rings Vs Wedding Bands: Whats The Difference
An engagement ring is given during the proposal, while a wedding band, or wedding ring, is traditionally exchanged during the wedding ceremony. Another notable difference is that engagement rings tend to be more intricately designed, featuring a large center diamond or gemstone set either as a solitaire or with multiple stones surrounding it. A wedding band is typically simpler and less expensive than an engagement ring, consisting of a plain metal band that may or may not include small accent diamonds.
Who Wears Their Wedding Ring On The Right Hand
So we know some reasons why people wear their wedding rings on their right hand, but where is this most common? In Western society, and countries like the USA and United Kingdom, the ring is almost always worn on the left hand. So, lets take a look at some countries where this isnt the case.
Some countries where the ring is worn on the right hand include:
- Russia
- Portugal
- And some parts of Spain.
But, it isnt only different countries that wear the right on the right hand. It is also very common for couples who are in a same-sex union to wear their wedding ring on the right hand. This is simply a part of their culture, so there really is no correct hand to wear your wedding ring on.
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