If you have decided on wedding rings made of gold for your upcoming nuptials, you must have already been feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there. There is so much information that it can get challenging to know what to trust and what not to trust. Allergies, durability, gold content, design, cost, size, etc. are only a few of the many factors you must consider before purchasing diamond wedding bands.
Here are some pointers that will help you choose the perfect diamond wedding rings for you and your significant other. These lifelong reminders of love will be the ideal way to symbolize your commitment to each other.
Choosing the Right Karat
Karat is a unit used to denote the purity of gold. Karat comes from the carob seed, which are leguminous seeds of uniform weight. Carob seeds were used in ancient cultures to weigh precious metals, and this practice has lent its name to the karat unit. 24 karat gold is the purest form of gold there is. Wedding rings are generally 18 karat or 14 karats. 18K gold rings get made of an alloy that is 75% gold, while the 14K variety is made of an alloy that is only 58.5% gold.
The alloy gets hardened to deliver the resulting ring, as pure gold is somewhat soft and malleable. 14K gold rings are more hardy and inexpensive when compared to the 18K version. However, the 18K rings have a vibrant and rich color that is hard to find in other varieties.
Alloys, Allergic Reactions, and Rashes
Gold is generally alloyed with copper, silver, platinum, etc. to increase its durability and hardiness. Many goldsmiths also alloy gold with a specific mix of metals to give it a characteristic color. Examples include rose gold and white gold. Gold is a noble metal and is very non-reactive. That is why humans are not allergic to gold. However, some people can develop allergies to the other metals that gold is sometimes alloyed with.
Allergic reactions to yellow gold are infrequent, but there can sometimes be allergic reactions to yellow gold that has been alloyed with nickel and copper. Rashes and skin irritations generally occur if the ring is too tight. If you get rashes and skin irritation, it would be a good idea to expand your ring size.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Wedding rings made out of gold are easier to maintain and clean than stacking wedding rings and infinity rings. It is because gold does not tarnish and fade, even over time. It will help if you clean your ring regularly by first washing in warm soapy water. After that, you should polish it thoroughly with a jewelry polishing cloth. If your ring gets scratches, then you should take it to a jeweler for servicing. Depending on the make of the ring, a few minutes at the polishing wheel will return your ring to its brand new condition.
Matching or Contrasting Rings
When it comes to selecting diamond wedding rings, you can go for one of two available options. You and your significant other can either go for a matching set of rings, where the design and shape of the rings will complement each other. It is the traditional choice opted for by a lot of couples. However, if you want to do something exciting and non-conformist, you should go for rings with entirely different designs and shapes. The set of contrasting wedding rings would look very nice. However, this choice remains solely up to the discretion of you and your spouse-to-be.
Men’s’ Rings vs. Women’s Rings
As men generally tend to have larger hands and thicker fingers, men’s’ wedding rings tend to be thicker and have larger circumferences. Size-wise, men’s’ wedding bands are generally 5 mm to 8 mm-wide. Only a few men choose rings with a width of less than 5 mm or greater than 8 mm. Traditionally, men do not wish to wear engagement rings. In recent times, men have started to wear lovely engagement rings as well, in addition to the wedding ring. Women’s wedding bands are generally on the smaller side, ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm.
Final thoughts
These are the pertinent facts and figures you need to keep in mind while shopping for gold wedding rings. While you are buying, try to keep an open mind and consider alternative options like solitaire rings, eternity rings, etc. Also, try not to leave ring shopping until the last minute. Give yourself and your partner enough time so that you can pick the perfect rings. Check out these tips and embark on your purchase spree.
