Banding Together For Life

When it comes to rings that symbolise a couple’s love and devotion to one another, the engagement ring often hogs the spotlight probably because it is the one that seals the deal when the man proposes. In reality, it is the wedding band, exchanged when couples make their wedding vows, that is the all-important piece of matrimonial jewellery. Not only is it a symbol of their lifelong commitment to one another, it is probably the only matching piece of jewellery a couple will ever wear every day for the rest of their lives.

Given its significance both in the marriage and the accessories department, shouldn’t greater consideration be accorded to the choice of the wedding band? Here are some tips on picking a pair to last.

1. They Don’t Have to Be Identical

Wedding bands often come in matching pairs. While the idea of wearing the same ring may be romantic, there is nothing to stop you from picking different ones especially if tastes and preferences differ. To give a semblance of similarity, pick rings with common features such as the same type of metal, pattern or gemstone.

Love & Co’s LVC Algeria wedding band collection takes into consideration some men’s aversion to glitter by introducing designs that have diamonds set into the woman’s ring but not the man’s while retaining the same pattern and motifs.

Citigems has the same idea except that when their Perfect Love Bridal Collection wedding bands are stacked together, the patterns on the bands create a single perfect heart shape, giving new meaning to being “united in love”.

2. Don’t Forget the Engagement Ring

If you want to wear your engagement ring all the time, you have to consider how it looks with your wedding band.

To solve this problem, Love & Co’s LVC Perfection wedding ring collection incorporates the engagement ring into the wedding band for her.

For simple solitaire engagement rings, a wedding ring with pave diamonds will enhance the bling factor. For eternity engagement rings or half eternity diamond bands (bands with a continuous line of identically cut diamonds), a simple gem-less band will allow the engagement ring to shine.

Not all engagement rings feature diamonds. Some have coloured gemstone in which case, a wedding ring that incorporates the same gem or colour is a perfect match.

3. Consider the Type of Metal

The most popular types of metal for wedding bands are yellow gold, white gold and platinum. In Asia, yellow gold used to be de rigueur . But these days, given the fact that engagement rings tend to come in white gold or platinum, the latter two have overtaken yellow gold in the popularity stakes. Although white gold and platinum look similar, platinum is more hardy and hypo-allergenic and, therefore, more expensive. Of late, rose gold and titanium have also been added to the mix, widening the choices.

If you cannot make up your mind about which type of metal to go for, Cartier’s Trinity Wedding Band will let you have them all. This ring has three bands of gold - pink, yellow and white - symbolising love, fidelity and friendship respectively.

4. Think of the Style of the Bands

With so much attention given to the gem that adorns a ring, the humble band is sometimes ignored. But there is a lot that can be done with the design of the band. If your engagement ring is uniquely-shaped, choose a band that complements the curves of the engagement ring so the two rings will sit well together.

While rings have traditionally been round, complete circles, Cartier offers a creative take on this with rings that are feature an interesting curve or the Double C Wedding Band that is shaped like a “C” and bears the Cartier logo stamped onto the ring.

Couple Lab also has wedding rings that look like incomplete bands but on closer inspection, the two ends are actually joined. This creates an interesting visual break in the band.

The sides of the bands can also have variations. Love & Co puts a twist to the solid band with elegant curves traced with diamonds and multiple grooves worked into the band with polished rims.

The Cartier “Lanières” collection takes the solid band and breaks it up into perfect squares that allow for either coloured gems or diamonds to be incorporated into each square. Another band design is their Happy Birthday Wedding Band that has the Cartier logo engraved around the band.

5. Make it Personal to You

If you want to make your rings uniquely yours, there is more that you can do than simply engraving them with your names, wedding dates and a love quote or two. Love & Co has some interesting options. Love message in your own handwriting, signatures, picture and even thumbprints can all be engraved on their rings.

6. It Has to Be Comfortable

Be practical in your choice. This is the one ornament that will see you through everything you will be doing and every phase of your life from here on. Make sure it is sized right. A good time to try on your ring is in the afternoon when you are calm and your body temperature is normal. Avoid doing it in the morning or after you have exercised because water retention causes your fingers to expand.

Make sure it is comfortable. Soft rounded edges on the inside of the ring are preferred as are rings that are not too broad. The rings also should not have grooves and settings that will snag on clothing, scratch surfaces or retain dirt.

The wedding ring - a symbol of the commitment and unending love between man and wife. Given its great meaning to the relationship, getting the wedding band just right is perfectly understandable.

Shop with us:

Cartier
2 Orchard Turn
#01-20 & #02-10
ION Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: 65 6732 0181
www.cartier.com

Love & Co
2 Orchard Turn
ION Orchard
#B2-64
Singapore 238801
Tel: 65 6509 8633
www.love-and-co.com

Love & Co
68 Orchard Road
#01-07
Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: 65 6835 7533
www.love-and-co.com

Love & Co
252 North Bridge Road
#01-18
Raffles City
Singapore 179103
Tel: 65 6339 7633
www.love-and-co.com

Lee Hwa Jewellery
200 Victoria Street
Bugis Junction
#01-23
Singapore 188021
Tel: 65 6334 2838
www.leehwajewellery.com

Lee Hwa Jewellery
2 Orchard Turn
#B2-58
ION Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: 65 6509 8820
www.leehwajewellery.com

Lee Hwa Jewellery
9 Bishan Place
Junction 8
#01-45
Singapore 579837
Tel: 65 6354 3218
www.leehwajewellery.com

Lee Hwa Jewellery
68 Orchard Road
Plaza Singapura
#01-45
Singapore 238839
Tel: 65 6338 1930
www.leehwajewellery.com

Lee Hwa Jewellery
2 Jurong East 21
IMM
#01-11/12
Singapore 609601
Tel: 65 6563 5857
www.leehwajewellery.com

Citigems
2 Jurong East 21
IMM
#01-33
Singapore 609601
Tel: 65 6563 0292
www.citigems.com.sg

Citigems
2 Orchard Turn
ION Orchard
#B2-60
Singapore 238801
Tel: 65 6509 8545
www.citigems.com.sg

Citigems
9 Bishan Place
Junction 8
#02-02A
Singapore 579837
Tel: 65 6354 3196
www.citigems.com.sg

Citigems
200 Victoria Street
Bugis Junction
#01-37
Singapore 188021
Tel: 65 6337 2420
www.citigems.com.sg

Citigems
68 Orchard Road
Plaza Singapura
#01-25
Singapore 238839
Tel: 65 6336 5504
www.citigems.com.sg

Couple Lab
201 Victoria Street
Bugis+
#02-69/70
Singapore 188067
Tel: 65 6884 4145
www.couplelab.com.sg

Couple Lab
2 Jurong East Central 1
JCube
#02-21Z
Singapore 609731
Tel: 65 6570 2990
www.couplelab.com.sg

Couple Lab
9 Bishan Place
Junction 8
#01-K4
Singapore 579837
Tel: 65 6258 3850
www.couplelab.com.sg

Couple Lab
68 Orchard Road
Plaza Singapura
#02-34 & #B1-K3
Singapore 238839
Tel: 65 6238 8086 / 6238 0430
www.couplelab.com.sg