Wedding rings
Buying a wedding ring is a personal and important decision to be made by both the bride and groom. A wedding ring is probably the most symbolic piece of jewellery you'll ever own.
The tradition of the wedding ring
The very centre of the wedding ceremony, the wedding ring has a long history and tradition. The wearing of wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand dates back to the 17th century BC. Ancient Egyptians believed that this finger contained the "vena amoris" – the vein of love, that runs directly to the heart. By placing a continuous band of precious metal on this finger, it was thought that everlasting love was ensured.
In Roman times simple iron bands were used as wedding rings and this has stayed with us today but using materials such as gold and platinum. A wedding band can be plain and unadorned, feature engraving or studded with diamonds.
Choosing the right wedding ring
The most traditional wedding ring is a simple, plain gold band for the bride and the groom.
You don't have to stick to the traditional – your wedding rings reflect who you are and, from Russian wedding rings to patterned rings, there is a huge choice for you. Of course, you can never have too many diamonds! A diamond-set wedding ring combines the beauty of diamonds with an eternal band of precious metal.
Plain, patterned or diamond-set, whether you choose yellow gold, white gold or versatile two-colour gold will depend on the colour of jewellery you usually wear.
Many couples are choosing platinum wedding rings. Platinum is a rare, durable metal which doesn't lose its beauty. Increasingly, men are opting for titanium wedding rings – a white metal that is hard-wearing yet lightweight.
Bridal sets – the perfect match
At Ernest Jones, you'll find an exquisite selection of bridal sets – engagement and wedding rings that fit perfectly together. With specially selected matching diamonds, ring sets represent your unity beautifully.
A few tips
Remember that the bride's wedding ring will need to sit comfortably with her engagement ring.
If you do manual work, choose a heavier weight ring for extra durability.
A court wedding ring is slightly curved on the inside of the band and can provide additional comfort.