They don’t often get the same attention as engagement rings do, but wedding bands are just as important. They’re symbols of love and commitment that you’ll wear for the rest of your life. Naturally, you want to pick one that not only fits well, but looks beautiful and helps capture the essence of your love story. That’s no small task, and it’s normal to have a few questions before you start shopping.
We put together this guide to help you in your search. Read on to find answers to common queries about wedding bands, and to get a scoop on some of the most beautiful styles available right now.
Where Did Wedding Bands Come From?
Ancient Egyptians were the first to use wedding rings, viewing the unbroken circles as symbols of eternity. It was also the Egyptians who popularized wearing wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand. They believed that this finger contained a “vein of love” which led directly to the heart. We now know that’s not true, but the tradition of wearing wedding bands on the left ring finger has stuck around regardless.
Ancient Greeks and Romans adopted the practice of exchanging rings soon after the Egyptians did. Gold and silver rings were once only accessible to the wealthiest members of society. Average couples in Rome exchanged rings made of iron, while the typical Egyptian couple exchanged rings made of hemp or reeds. As time passed, the rings became more elaborate, and precious metals became standard for wedding bands regardless of the wearer’s social class.
How Should My Wedding Ring Fit?
Your ring should be snug enough not to fall off with daily activity, but loose enough that you can take it off when you need to. You should feel some resistance when trying to pull it over your knuckle, but not so much that it’s uncomfortable. If your ring gets stuck when you try to take it off, it’s too tight. If it falls off your finger while you’re gesturing or moving around, it’s too big.
To find your ring size, we strongly recommend visiting Levy Jewelers at either of our two Savannah locations. We have precise tools with which to measure your finger as accurately as possible, and our sales professionals have a good understanding of how your ring should fit, and can point out any fit issues you might not be aware of. Your local jeweler can recommend a ring that fits or resize one that doesn’t.
How Much Should I Spend On A Wedding Band?
There is no hard and fast rule as to how much your wedding band should cost. The most important thing is that you find one you love, and that fits you properly. That being said, if you’re looking for statistics, you’ll be relieved to know that wedding bands tend to be significantly cheaper than engagement rings. While the current average price of an engagement ring is $5,500, the average price of a wedding ring is about $550 for men and $1,100 for women.
Women’s wedding bands typically cost more because they contain diamonds, gemstones, or other elaborate details. However, this isn’t always the case. Plenty of women’s bands are minimalistic, and plenty of men’s bands feature diamonds, gemstones or other unique features. Again, it’s all about finding the styles you like best. Our best advice for wedding band shopping is to be smart about budgeting, but do make sure to consider important factors beyond the cost.
Do Wedding Bands Have To Match?
While many couples do choose similar styles, it’s totally up to you whether or not you want your bands to match. If you’re not thrilled with your options, you may want to consider custom wedding bands. A custom jewelry designer can make a wedding band for just you, or do a set–whether matching or not–for both you and your partner.
Popular Wedding Band Styles for 2024
We’re sure you’ve seen plenty of classic wedding band styles before: plain gold or platinum bands, bands studded with tiny pavé diamonds and diamond eternity bands are all great choices. But in this article we want to give you a look at some of the latest wedding band styles, which you may not be as familiar with. These styles are both trendy and timeless, combining modern elements and traditional features to create new, beautiful standards.
Thin Wedding Bands: Embracing Simplicity
Lately, wedding bands have been trending away from their traditional thicker look and toward a more petite one. Today’s brides seem to favor minimalistic rings, and we can see plenty of reasons why.
With the average engagement ring diamond carat size getting higher, brides are seeking dainty rings that allow those sparkling stones to take center stage. If you like to wear multiple rings, a thin wedding band might be the best choice for you, since its minimalistic style allows other jewelry some space to shine.
Curved Wedding Bands and Chevron Wedding Bands
Curved wedding bands and chevron wedding bands are similar, but not identical, styles that have been gaining popularity in the past few years. Curved wedding bands dip into a gentle, rounded curve, whereas chevron wedding bands dip into a pointed ‘v’ shape.
As with thin wedding bands, a big part of a curved or chevron band’s appeal is its ability to complement the engagement ring. The dip in the band accents the center stone of an engagement ring, drawing the eye thanks to its unique shape.
As with almost all other wedding band styles, you can choose a plain curved or chevron band, or you can choose to have it studded with diamonds or other gemstones. The customization options are just about endless!
Open Wedding Bands
Open wedding bands break from tradition by leaving a gap in the band rather than forming an unbroken circle. The gap provides a space for the center stone of your engagement ring to snuggle in, creating a nested, coordinated look.
There’s a theme at play in all of these trends: emphasizing the engagement ring. And while the open band certainly does that, it also offers another big advantage. If you have a low-set engagement ring (as in, an engagement ring designed so that the stone sits very close to or directly against the band), an open wedding band will allow your engagement ring to sit flush with your wedding ring.
Shop Wedding Bands At Levy Jewelers in Savannah, Georgia
Your wedding band is more than just a beautiful piece of jewelry. It’s a part of your personal narrative: an emblem of you and your partner’s eternal commitment. We hope that this blog helped answer some questions about choosing your wedding band, and introduced you to some styles to consider.
When you’re ready to take the plunge and start the fun, exciting process of shopping for your wedding band, we invite you to pay us a visit at either of our 2 Levy Jewelers Savannah locations. Our staff has decades of combined experience in the jewelry business, and we’re dedicated to finding you the rings you’ll be thrilled to wear for the rest of your life. And if you can’t make it to the store in person, feel free to check out our wedding band collection online. We look forward to working with you!