Have you ever put on the engagement ring of your dreams, only to then think: "But what wedding band would go with that?" Or maybe you are admiring how the diamond sparkles, then it hits you: "Will this look cute with a wedding band?" Or "Am I going to end up with two beautiful rings that do not match together?"
This is a concern that keeps many Australian couples awake during the engagement planning process. You may have the engagement ring of your dreams, but when you start planning the wedding you get this sudden realisation that you are going to need a wedding ring for a matched set. It can feel like a ton of pressure when you are making decisions that will last a lifetime.
Understanding Ring Personalities
Each engagement ring has a style that dictates what wedding bands will look best. Imagine your engagement ring is the lead singer and the wedding band is the back-up musician. The wedding band needs to be a perfect supporting role that complements the performance without taking away from the lead vocalist.
Solitaire engagement rings are like versatile performers. They work with almost any wedding band style because their simplicity doesn't create visual conflicts. You can pair them with plain bands for understated elegance or diamond-studded bands for extra sparkle without overwhelming the overall look.
Halo engagement rings already make a statement because of the surrounding diamonds. Because of this, halo engagement rings usually look better with simpler bands that don't take attention. A thin, plain band or a plain band with some milgrain would pair well with a halo engagement ring and complement the extravagant halo.
Vintage Motif engagement rings require wedding bands that share the same design characteristics. For example, if the engagement ring design is Art Deco, then a wedding band with similar style elements or a design element popular in the same time period will pair very nicely with an Art Deco engagement ring.
The Fit Factor
Compatibility also matters in regards to the physical as well as visual. Some engagement rings with large settings and curved bottoms create gaps with straight wedding bands. Gaps allow dirt, soap, and debris to collect - which will be hard to clean and may cause damage to both rings over time.
Curved wedding bands help alleviate some fitting challenges, as they are designed to nestle against engagement ring settings and provide seamless contact between both rings. This close fit provides a more finished look and protects both pieces from unnecessary wear.
Think about how both rings may feel together on your finger. If both bands are thick, they may feel bulky or uncomfortable during daily activities. If your engagement ring has a thick band, think about wearing a thinner wedding band so the two rings can successfully balance the overall feel and look.
Make sure to put the rings together to the test while you are doing different activities. Write with a pen, type on your computer, or hold onto the steering wheel while putting both rings to the test. If they pinch, catch, or feel awkward while doing these activities, it may be time to adjust before making final purchases.
Metal Coordination Strategies
Matching metals provides the most cohesive looking aesthetic, but mixed metals can work splendidly if done thoughtfully. White gold and platinum pair well given their similar looks. Rose gold and yellow gold can complement each other depending on how well the tones can blend.
Having a two-tone engagement ring allows you some flexibility on the wedding band you choose. You can match one metal tone, or you can choose a wedding band that incorporates both metals to create visual continuity between the pieces.
Think about how different metals age over time. Platinum develops a soft patina that many people may find attractive. White gold keeps its lustre through rhodium plating, which we do every so often. If you're using mixed metals, be sure to recognize the difference in maintenance for keeping both systems looking good.
Climate can also affect what metals and what combinations are appropriate. Living in Australia, we have different climates to consider. Coastal dwellers must account for the salt air, while inland dwellers will have drier and hot heat. If you can, stick to metal combinations that will do well in the climate you experience daily over decades of wearing your rings.
Width and Proportion Balance
When wearing multiple bands together, the width of the ring is part of the comfort and aesthetic side of things. Very thin wedding bands may appear to get lost beside heavier engagement rings, while thicker wedding bands can be cumbersome for the lighter fine engagement ring setting.
As a general guide, we recommend keeping the width of the wedding band half the width of the engagement ring. Finding that happy space balances the interaction between both rings while viewing the whole combination at once; no one ring dominates the duo, the duo created balance proportions together.
Finger size makes a difference to those proportions too. Length of fingers usually determines if a wider band combination looks okay. Thin fingers may struggle keeping thicker bands proportional to the hand size.
Diamond and Stone Considerations
When selecting a wedding band with diamonds, it's important to consider the interaction between the diamonds in your wedding band, the stones in your engagement ring, and the overall feel you want your rings to convey. If the quality of the diamonds are sufficiently similar, the two rings can create a harmonious, repetitive diamond look; if the qualities of the diamonds are significantly different, the disparity can make one of your rings look inferior to the other, unless of course you intended for it to look inferior.
Diamonds around the entire circumference of the band (an eternity band) will provide the most sparkle; however, they are usually on the expensive side and tend to be difficult to resize if you ever needed to.
Wedding bands that use alternative stones are a beautiful combination for the diamonds in your engagement ring. Sapphires provide lustrous colour and are a complementing choice as they have the same hardness rating as diamonds. Emeralds or rubies are bolder alternatives, but they are soft for rings and require more care.
Overall, decide if the intention of your wedding band is to provide additional sparkle to your ring look or more of a calm backdrop to your engagement ring. Both approaches are valid as long as thoughtful ring choices are made.
Australian Style Preferences
Australian couples often weigh practicality alongside beauty in their selection of ring combinations. Given the active lifestyle Australians lead and the transient climate conditions, durability can be an important consideration when choosing daily wear pieces of jewellery.
Beach culture affects many decisions made by Australians, so couples increasingly prefer lower-claw settings, and perfectly fitted stone settings that lessen the chance of catching sand or sports equipment while swimming or surfing. In active lifestyles, smooth and rounded band profiles often work better than sharp-edged designs.
Many Australian couples prefer understated elegance rather than the bling factor. Couples are choosing a bridal set of simple wedding bands that compliment and not fight with the engagement rings. So they are looking to have rings that reflect refined styling rather than flashiness.
Many local jewellers such as Pear Jewels Australia get an understanding of couples' needs, so they willingly stock coordinated sets designed with the accommodation of the Australian lifestyle. Lab-grown diamonds enable couples to achieve the required aesthetic and look within their budget while maintaining the same quality and durability requirements.
Making Your Final Decision
Take your time with this decision! Unless you have a shortlist of restaurants for dinner, these rings should work together beautifully for decades. Purchase the rings together, or at minimum, try them in different combinations. Seek advice from friends and consider what feels good for you; just don't rush into something that you don't feel comfortable purchasing.
Don't forget trends change and trends can shift quickly, but classic combinations age gracefully. While it may be fun to engage with the trend of the moment, do your best to prioritise combinations that truly represent your style and will continue to please you in twenty years.
The combination of your engagement ring and wedding band, and how you wear them together every day, should tell your love story in a way that feels right for your relationship, and fit well with your life!