Bradley Gough Diamonds Breaks Down the Most Popular Wedding Bands
A wedding band is the ultimate symbol of the love you and your partner share for each other. Naturally, you want to make sure it’s perfect, but with so many options it can be difficult to know where to start. You've got your classic styles for both men and women, plus a whole host of new, trending band styles.
Between picking a decent DJ and figuring out everyone's seating arrangements, you've got enough on your plate planning a wedding. Let your friends at Bradley Gough Diamonds give you the rundown on wedding rings, so you can focus on your special day.
Back to Basics: Classic Wedding Ring Styles
Just because you eschew the diamonds and gemstones doesn't mean you don't have options--you still get to pick your band size, thickness, and metal! While platinum and classic yellow gold are the most popular, gold has two other popular alloys: white gold and rose gold. Each hue has its own charms. Though you may want to match the metal on your engagement ring, there's no rule that says you can't mix things up with two different tones!
The plain, precious metal wedding band has stood the test of time. Simple metal bands may be basic, but they’re never boring. Understated and elegant, they typically do the best job of emphasizing your stone selection. So if you’re all about the rock, then a plain metal band might be to your taste.
Top Women's Wedding Band Trends of 2023
Our jewelry experts agree that a great way to learn about the different styles of wedding bands is to take a glance at the most popular styles of the year. These looks are usually trending for a reason, and just because a certain style is getting a boost now doesn't mean it won't look just as classy and beautiful on your tenth or twentieth wedding anniversary. If you are just beginning to explore your tastes and preferences, let this list be your introduction to the wonderful world of wedding bands.
Say Forever with an Eternity Band
The diamond eternity band is a departure from the typical engagement ring. Instead of one center stone, these bands feature a row of diamonds. These diamonds either extend halfway around the band, called a half eternity band, or the entire ring as in the full eternity band. The stones can be small or prominent, and cut in nearly any shape.
These rings are sometimes reserved for special wedding anniversaries, with each diamond signifying a key event or a year in your marriage. Recently, though, they've been trending as a great option for your initial wedding ring. The simplicity of the diamond eternity band pairs beautifully with even the most unique, standout engagement rings, while still being eye-catching in its own right. Thanks to the loop of diamonds, it's a bit more showy without overtaking the centerpiece of your engagement ring.
Color Your World: Gemstone Wedding Rings
When we think of wedding bands, we tend to envision plain metal bands or classic diamonds, but your band can be as unique as your love story! Colored gemstones are an increasingly popular choice in wedding bands. Stud your band with a particular color of gemstone or intermingle colored stones with diamonds for a gorgeous contrasting effect.
If you go the gemstone route, be sure to take gemstone hardness into consideration. Since you will be wearing your wedding ring for the rest of your life, make sure you pick a gemstone that can withstand daily wear. Though diamonds are the hardest stone, sapphires, rubies and emeralds are great choices if you're looking for color. At Bradley Gough Jewelers we can work with you to create your perfect custom designed wedding band with our expert in-house designers.
Pavé Wedding Bands: For A Diamond-Studded Love Story
The name of this wedding band style is derived from the French word for ‘pavement.’ That's because pavé wedding bands are ‘paved’ with diamonds around the band. Pavé diamonds get a delicate setting, much closer to being flush with the band, than the diamonds in an eternity band. This gives the look of a continuous sparkle, but without the same dramatic stone selection we see in an eternity ring.
The pavé technique uses smaller stones to emphasize your center stone. It can be paired with other dramatic stone settings like the diamond halo to give you an even more jaw-dropping sparkle. This is certainly a great look for those who love their diamonds.
Stackable Wedding Rings: Celebrate Your Love On Every Level
The term 'stackable wedding rings' can mean a few different things. It can refer to a style of wedding band that features an interlocking or slotted component for adding more rings, a single ring designed to look like multiple rings in one, or to delicate individual bands you can easily mix and match to create a stack.
We love the idea of exchanging or gifting rings for your major relationship milestones. Get creative and add more diamonds, different metals or colorations to help symbolize your cherished memories. When every day with your loved one is so special, you should plan to celebrate that love regularly with stackable wedding bands.
Chevron Rings: Simple and Stylish
The chevron, also called the wishbone ring, comes to a delicate point that makes a great setting for a diamond cut with a pointed end. These can be paired with other chevron rings to make naturally stackable rings. Some women will even choose a chevron ring as an "enhancer" for their wedding band and engagement ring set. By choosing the Chevron shape you can help give your engagement ring and wedding band a nice visual coherence.
Contour Wedding Bands: Add a Dash of Flair
The Contour Wedding band has a little bit of a wavy bend to the band that adds a funky flair. This bend can be exaggerated or subtle, but serves to add a visual interest to your wedding band. Contour bands are often made to fit the shape of a specific engagement ring.
They will "hug" along the shape of your center stone to create depth and ultimately provide a cohesive, attractive matching set. A contoured wedding band can even enhance the perceived size of your center stone.
The aesthetics of the contour wedding band are great on their own, but we like the symbolism behind it, as well. The road of love is winding, but beautiful in spite of all its twists and turns. If you want your wedding band to reflect that journey, the contour wedding band is a perfect choice for you.
Battle of the Bands
Some people search for matching wedding rings. Some seek unique styles that'll start conversations. For others, it's all about maximizing bling. No matter your style, the most important thing is that you choose a wedding band that represents your love story and brings you joy.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading a bit about a few of the most popular styles this year, and that it’s given you a good introduction into the world of wedding bands. If you didn't see exactly what you were looking for here, don't worry! There are plenty of options out there, and we invite you to come visit Bradley Gough Diamonds in Fort Wayne, Indiana to find the perfect wedding band for you.