Down the Aisle of Wedding Rings - Selecting the Ultimate Ring

You've waded your way through the first few steps of wedding to do's and now you've paused for the ultimate in wedding decisions, the rings.  Titanium rings, Gold, Silver, Platinum, Tungsten and even Palladium are among the many choices available today.  Wedding and engagement rings are not only symbolic of your love and commitment, they are the one lasting physical piece of the big day that stays with day in and day out, year after year.  It therefore, should be not only your most important decision, but the one that you find the most pleasure in. 

Tens years from now, you won't care if you had mints or nuts, pink or blush, the red toaster or the silver one; but you will care if your ring has tarnished, scratched, bent or corroded.  Selecting rings that are quality, timeless and representative of your unique tastes is of the utmost importance.  Weddings are also the single most expensive event you'll probably experience in your lifetime, even a college degree can run a distant second behind most weddings today.  So every dollar needs to be weighed and appropriately distributed.  You don't have to limit yourself to luxurious wedding rings with luxurious price tags, there are many options and styles at a variety of price points.  Ensuring you get the highest quality and the rings that best fit your tastes and budgets requires a little homework, but this article will help you make your way down the aisle of wedding rings to selecting the perfect rings for your lifetime commitment.

Selecting The Ring - Style & Color

When it comes to wedding rings, you have to keep in mind that despite the special day associated with the ring; this will be an everyday ring.  You need to ensure that the style, weight, form and fit result in comfort and a look suitable for everyday wear, from casual to elegant.  Simple bands are always a solid choice, whether you're in favor of gold or silver, titanium ringsor tungsten rings, you can never go wrong with simple elegance.  Whatever metal you decide, make sure it fits with your lifestyles.  If your active, a fan of the water or tend to work with your hands often, you may want to stay clear of gold which is a softer metal and more prone to corrosion and look towards titanium rings, which are corrosion resistant and adverse to reactions with salt, water and skin.  If the cool gray of titanium is not of your liking and brilliance and sheen are important, consider tungsten rings.  Tungsten carbide rings are not only exotic, but they are really the only metal that can be permanently polished.  Unlike gold, platinum, silver, and even titanium rings, Tungsten carbide rings hold the brilliance and shine, looking freshly polished forever. 

Comfort & Fit

Titanium rings are extremely lightweight, almost as light as aluminum, offering comfort to those who are not used to wearing rings.  When you are wearing a titanium wedding band, it's not uncommon to forget you have a ring on your finger.  Tungsten rings are on the opposite end and a bit heavier, perfect for those who like the feel of heavy jewelry.  In between you'll have gold, silver and platinum.  It really is a matter of personal preference and lifestyle.

Quality Selections

Whether you decide upon white gold, yellow gold rings, platinum, titanium rings or tungsten rings, the most important part of the purchase is the quality.  The right style or look is irrelevant if the ring is not made to last  through the years.  For gold, 24k is the most pure, it is also the softest. Sticking to 18k is best if you want to avoid scratches.  Platinum is a good choice for those who tend to wear both silver and gold, but it is also the most expensive of options.  A better alternative to the warmer tones of gold, is titanium and tungsten rings.  Titanium rings are ideal for people who are not used to wearing rings as they are not only light weight, they are very strong.  Tungsten rings are also nearly indestructible, and adverse to scratches, dents and other imperfections. 

Additional Features

If a simple band is not your style, you can customize and modify your wedding rings with the addition of precious gems, diamonds and other stones as well as include different finishes such as multifaceted or two tone rings.  When it comes to gems and stones, aesthetics and symbolism aside, there is a reason people go with diamonds, they are the toughest stone, ranking a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.  This scale measures the resistance to abrasion and fracture under pressure.  Diamonds are expensive and while diamonds are forever they are not for everyone.  Rubies are a good choice as well, red in color and symbolic of love, they are rated a 9 on the Mohs scale.  Sapphires are also a 9, with Emeralds holding a strong 8.  Opals while beautiful for their rainbow like color, are not ideal for your wedding ring as they are only a 6 and too soft for everyday wear.  As long as you select a stone that is at least a 7 or higher you shouldn't have any reason to worry.  Just keep in mind this is an everyday ring, designed to be worn for the rest of your life.  So the higher the quality, the harder the stone, the better off your investment will be long term.  Always keep in mind that stones are priced by the 4c's cut, color, clarity and caret.