How to choose your wedding rings?

Introduction

Wedding bands represent the bond that unites you, the symbol of your love, of sharing, and of eternity. This is the piece of jewelry that will accompany you throughout your life, reminding you of your most memorable moments, the one that will embody your love story with a capital L. We all dream of finding the perfect wedding band, the one that truly suits us. So here is some information that might be useful in this delicate choice.

The History of Wedding Bands

Let's start with a few historical facts to set the scene.

Although they were long used to unite different clans through marriage, it all truly began during Antiquity. Indeed, it is since that era that simple rings have been exchanged to seal the love of two people.

Wedding bands represent infinity because their circular shape is endless. Did you know that they were first worn on the right ring finger, then on the thumb, and now on the left hand? However, there are still exceptions, as depending on religious confession or country, the wedding band is still worn on the right hand!

Matching or Mismatched Wedding Bands?

Let's get straight to the point. Just like your personalities, your tastes and preferences may differ, and that's perfectly normal.
Having identical wedding bands is not mandatory. It is therefore important to discuss it with your partner because it is a choice on which you must agree or at least be understanding! So take the time to get inspiration from existing sites such as Pinterest, Instagram, wedding blogs, or even stores! Follow your instinct and communicate with your soulmate.

Remember that it is not necessary to have identical wedding bands; they can differ in width, thickness, stones, color, etc. There are so many possibilities and variations that it is completely normal to have different expectations for the wedding band that will forever solidify your relationship.

When to Start?

There are many steps, and it is essential to have enough time to think. In this case, you need to start early. If you want to customize your jewelry, be aware: you need to find the right combination, find the right look, create the sketch, make the model, and most importantly, manufacture your jewelry!

We advise you to start looking into this 3 to 4 months before the event. However, our workshop makes your wedding bands between 1 and 4 weeks.

In any case, it is essential to reserve a guarantee time, that is to say, a safety period on which you can always rely if any unforeseen event occurs.

With or Without Stones?

Traditionally, wedding bands are half-round (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold). This classic piece is timeless.

It is also common for a woman's wedding band to be adorned with precious stones, unlike men's wedding bands, which are usually simple and sober. It is customary to wear a diamond on a wedding band because it symbolizes eternity. Indeed, as the most resistant and hardest stone on the Mohs scale, the diamond represents the longevity of a relationship.

Do you want to break the rules? Express your personality! Each stone has a meaning, so choose the one that means the most to you. (You can also find the different meanings of stones in our Instagram stories highlight on our account corneloup-paris.)

Nevertheless, a point not to be neglected is comfort. Even if we easily succumb to the beauty of a wedding band overflowing with precious stones, we must not forget that you can easily irritate the area around your fingers over time. Therefore, prefer a simple wedding band, adorned with a single stone or several stones up to the halfway point. Again, there are many different combinations, the most important thing is to follow your desires.

Which Gold Color to Choose?

You have probably asked yourself which shade to choose for your wedding band.

It is often recommended to choose a wedding band that is the same color as your engagement ring.

However, this is not a rule. Let us present the colors we offer and their meanings:

Characteristics of white gold: White is synonymous with purity, simplicity, and therefore discretion. White gold is known to be refined and to inspire wisdom. This gold will bring tranquility to your couple.
Characteristics of yellow gold: Yellow gold is a classic. It is associated with wealth, warmth, and energy. Therefore, the color yellow is associated with success.
Characteristics of rose gold: Rose is a color with feminine connotations, it evokes softness and romance. Rose gold will bring happiness to your couple.
Characteristics of palladium: Palladium is more of a masculine material. In Latin, palladium means protection. A piece of palladium jewelry can represent a shield and be synonymous with strengthening your couple.

Wedding Band Engraving

Engraving essentially originated in the Middle Ages. Primarily used in art, this technique also developed in craftsmanship and jewelry. Nowadays, it has become a classic in the design and personalization of wedding bands.

It is customary to engrave the names of the loved ones with the wedding date inside the wedding bands. For example: Paul & Sixtine - 10/04/2015. Or: (Paul to Sixtine) Paul - 10/04/2015 and vice versa.

Of course, there are more original ideas for your engravings. Here are some less classic but equally significant choices:

The birth dates of the future bride and groom
A quote (poetry, proverb, song lyrics or title)
The date you met
GPS coordinates
A personalized message to your soulmate (who will only discover it at the wedding!)

At Corneloup Paris, there is no maximum number of characters, as it depends on the width of your ring. However, we recommend an engraving of about thirty characters. Keep in mind that the longer your text, the less visible it will be.

We also offer two types of font. First, the "Bâton" (block) font, which resembles computer lettering, and secondly, the "Manuscrite" (handwritten) font, which is similar to English calligraphy, imitating a handwritten text.

Ring Size and Shape

You are certainly wondering about the width to choose, here are our recommendations:

For women:

1.5 mm: this is the classic width for women between 44 and 47
2 mm: beyond being the standard size for women, this is the classic width for women between 48 and 52
2.5 mm: this is the classic width for women between 53 and 57
3 mm: this is the classic width for women between 58 and 62

For men:

2 mm: this is the classic width for men between 48 and 52
2.5 mm: beyond being the standard size for men, this is the classic width for men between 53 and 57
3 mm: this is the classic width for men between 58 and 60
3.5 mm: this is the classic width for men between 61 and 63
4 mm: this is the classic width for men between 64 and 66

Of course, this is purely indicative and also depends on your taste. Sometimes, it can be relevant to choose a slightly thinner wedding band to pair it with a significant engagement ring, for example. You can also add half a millimeter if you want the wedding band to be more visible.

What about the different shapes of wedding bands?

First, the regular Half-Round is the most requested and traditional shape. The gold is enhanced by its domed exterior and flat interior. Specifically, the width is equal to twice the thickness. For example, for a 3-millimeter wide wedding band, its thickness will be 1.5 millimeters. The Half-Round allows for optimal engraving.

Obviously, there are other shapes that we can create, such as the Ribbon shape, which has a flat surface and straight sides, the Full Round, which has a perfectly round surface, and also the Comfort Fit, which is thicker than the classic Half-Round.

Budget

Apart from your engagement rings, wedding bands are "the" pieces of jewelry for which you should allocate a certain budget, as the price is a guarantee of quality. It is important to estimate your budget and agree on a price range or a ceiling not to exceed. Please note that:

The amount varies slightly depending on the size:

A woman's wedding band is generally narrower and thinner. Therefore, its cost will be slightly more affordable than a man's, if it is not adorned with diamonds.

It also varies depending on the weight:

And consequently, depending on the material. Indeed, the grammage influences the cost.

On a density scale, gold, for example, is denser than palladium (19.4 gr/cm3 versus 12 gr) and the latter is denser than silver (12 gr/cm3 versus 10.5 gr). So, among these three metals, gold will be the most expensive and silver the least expensive.

Lastly, it varies according to the variations:

Naturally, depending on the choice of stones, their quantity, the difficulty of the chosen model, or the metal variation, the value of your wedding band will evolve. Indeed, let's take the example of gold:

White gold, unlike rose gold and yellow gold, requires an additional manufacturing step called Rhodium plating, and therefore its price will be higher.

Made in France

France is renowned as the most romantic country, so why look elsewhere?

Treat yourself to a piece of jewelry that will accompany you throughout your life, specially designed in France in our Parisian workshops by exceptional and trusted artisans. What more could you wish for? French craftsmanship guarantees you better quality, greener consumption, luxurious and refined products, and above all, respected ethical values.

Wearing an Ancestor's Ring?

When receiving wedding bands from grandparents or great-grandparents as an inheritance, some do not hesitate to accept, but for others, this choice is not so obvious.

It is entirely legitimate to be mixed. Again, this choice will depend on your personality, your beliefs, and your values. Some will see it as a relic of love or a good luck charm, others will not be able to write their own story into this ring. They may see the reflection of another era. Moreover, the size of the rings or their appearance may not suit us.

Have you considered reproducing it by adding your personal touch? At Maison Corneloup Paris, you can create your own custom ring, we can clarify your doubts and work together to personalize your jewelry and create a unique wedding band.

In conclusion, don't hesitate to contact us for advice or to make an appointment!