Welcome to the world of wedding ring shopping!
You’re just beginning to dip your toes in, and already the waters are feeling chilly and ominous. Words like “cut,” “halo,” and “budget” are swimming through your mind, and you’re only half sure what any of them mean. Yes, you have questions...and the good news is, we have answers! Take a look through our ultimate guide to finding a wedding ring:
Rings: The Giselle, The One and Only
1. Budget
First and foremost, you need a budget. Forget that outdated “rule” that you need to spend a certain percentage of your paycheck. After the engagement, there’s still a wedding to think about, not to mention all the costs that come with starting a new life. Take a realistic look at your finances and determine how much you can afford to spend on a ring. Set a firm upper limit, and don’t deviate from it. Remember, you can get gorgeous rings for under $100!
Ring: The Enchanted
2. Ring Source
The term “blood diamonds” haunts the jewelry industry, and wedding rings aren’t immune to the controversy. Blood diamonds refer to diamonds that have been sourced from locations torn apart by war, where mines are used to fun conflict. Since Modern Gents sells simulated diamond stones, you don’t have to worry about where your diamonds came from and who they affected along the way.
Ring: The Scarlett
3. Lifestyle
A wedding ring is meant to be worn continuously, so when shopping, keep lifestyle in mind. Those who have jobs where a metal ring would be dangerous can instead wear a silicone ring, and when you want to keep a low profile, a smaller band with a delicate stone fits the bill. Think about how the ring will fit into everyday life before you commit.
Ring: The Flex
4. Metal Finish
Silver has been the standard band finish for wedding rings for many years, but recently, rose gold has taken over in popularity. Rose gold is both delicate and stunning, and it complements stones of all shapes and sizes. For those who want a unique look, we also offer a ring with a yellow gold band.
Ring: The I Do
5. Shape & Cut
Shape and cut are two sides of the same coin (or in this case, stone). Shape refers to the look of the stone, such as princess, oval, etc. Cut is all about the facet angles the stone is cut at that give it a unique look and sparkle. At Modern Gents, you can find round, oval, cushion, princess, emerald, pear/teardrop, and marquise shape stones.
Ring: The Olivia
6. Halo vs. Solitaire
Another two terms you’ll encounter are halo and solitaire. Halo rings have a center stone with a “halo” of smaller stones surrounding it. Solitaire rings are, as you’d imagine, solitary stones. Halo rings can be in any shape, including round, oval, and pear.
7. Rings vs. Bands
In general, men get wedding bands and women get wedding rings. Right? Well, turns out it’s not quite so straightforward as that. Traditionally, the engagement ring will be the more flashy one that features a stone. This is then paired with (sometimes matching) wedding bands, one for the bride and one for the groom, that are exchanged at the wedding. You don’t need two different rings, but if you want to follow tradition, you can make it easier on yourself by purchasing a ring set.
Rings: The Lovely, The Elite
8. Clear & Colored Stones
When you think of wedding rings, you probably picture clear stones first and foremost. Sure, clear stones are the classic choice, but more often lately couples are choosing something a little different: colored stones. Red, green, gold, and even multicolored stones are in, and they’re making an impact.
Rings: The Sadie, The Halo Opal
9. Measurements
After you’ve decided on all the previous points, the last thing you need to do is figure out the proper measurements. You can do this in a few different ways. You can buy a ring sizer (they look like small towers that gradually get wider), and place a ring you know fits on it to find out what size it is. You can also take a 6-inch piece of string, wrap it around your finger where the ring would sit, then mark where the string ends. Lay the string up to a ruler and find out the millimeter measurement that is closest to the mark. Find a conversion chart, and you have your ring size! If you want to be 100% sure, we recommend going to your local jeweler or Wal-Mart and getting professionally sized.
Ring: The Alexandria
10. When to Start Shopping
If you’re not getting a custom-made ring, you don’t have to worry about the time it takes to get to you too much. Instead, what you should consider is how long you think it will take you to pick a ring. If you’re shopping for an engagement ring and have a specific date in mind to pop the question, start shopping at least 6 weeks beforehand to allow yourself plenty of leeway. If you’re buying a wedding band, the decision will be a little simpler so you can cut it a bit closer, but still aim for 4 weeks before you need it to get serious about shopping.
Rings: The Rose set
Need more inspiration and options?
Here are some more of our favorite rings from Modern Gents! There's a style, stone, and price range for everyone. Engagement rings and wedding bands don't need to be expensive. It's time to break traditions and put money towards more important things in life. Check out the full collection at Modern Gents here!
Ring: The Sofia
Ring: The Evermore set
Ring: The Daisy
Rings: The Bella, The Bliss set