The Perfect Pairing
Bay Magazine | Published on Sep 3, 2020
A couples guide to selecting wedding rings.
In a year where wedding celebrations have been forced to adapt to unprecedented circumstances, one bright spot of wedding planning that’s been relatively unchanged is the selection of wedding bands—a milestone that offers both brides and grooms the opportunity to choose a sentimental piece of jewelry symbolizing their love and commitment.
Chris Biele, owner of Atlantic City Jewelry, a family-owned business with locations in Tuckerton and Bayville, has thirty years of experience of helping couples choose their wedding bands. A third-generation jeweler, Biele is an expert when it comes to all aspects of wedding jewelry, and is able to tailor suggestions to the taste, lifestyle and budget of couples who visit his shop.
A proponent of custom design, Biele shares considerations, trends and advice for brides and grooms picking out jewelry for their big day and beyond.
For the traditional couple
The classic choice for both men and women who are traditionalists at heart is a simple, unembellished wedding band in a precious metal like platinum or gold, whether it’s white, yellow or rose. You can even consider matching the style of your partner’s ring, but it’s certainly not a must-do. Thin, plain bands are also great for brides who plan to stack their rings, or add more rings to commemorate special anniversaries.
For the sparkle lover
Diamond-encrusted bands are always a popular choice for brides looking to add a little (or a lot!) of sparkle to their finger, but the real detail is in the stones’ setting, Biele explains. Pave settings, where diamonds are set closely together with minimal visible metal, are a common request, especially when paired with an engagement ring featuring a pave band. Pave settings shine especially bright in platinum or white gold, allowing the metal to seamlessly blend in with the diamonds.
Shared prong settings are another way to incorporate sparkle into a wedding band while adding flair to your engagement ring pairing. For this type of setting, each diamond shares a set of prongs with the one next to it. Like the pave setting, white metals can contribute to a bright look, while visible metal in yellow or rose gold catches the eye with its contrast.
A third type of setting that’s sure to shine is the channel setting, where diamonds are set directly into a groove—or channel—around a ring, without any metal in between each individual diamond. Pairing with a plain engagement band or a matching channel band offers a clean, elegant look.
Eternity styles
No matter the setting, one element to consider is whether your band will be an eternity ring, where diamonds are visible all around. The pros, of course, include sparkle from every angle and a gorgeous piece that’s designed just for you.
The one potential downside of a full eternity band, Biele explains, is that eternity rings aren’t made to be resized easily. “It’s so important to meet with a jeweler who can create a custom piece, sized perfectly to your finger, versus buying one off the rack where the size may not be perfect for your hand,” he shares. While sizing down or up technically is possible, a reputable jewelry will walk you through the process (removing diamonds to go smaller or adding a piece of plain metal to go larger), and work to create a custom piece that fits correctly from the start, saving you time, money and potentially the integrity of the ring.
And if you’ve perhaps heard that eternity bands are more susceptible to lose stones, Biele is glad to clarify: “It’s a myth! A custom piece from a high-quality shop that’s properly maintained should not lose stones. It’s the display pieces from big box stores that are not properly constructed that give cause for worry.”
If you’re not ready to commit to all around jewels, or are looking for cost-savings without sacrificing style, consider a half or three-quarter eternity band, where the diamonds encircle half or three-fourths of the band.
Mixed metals
Typically, most brides tend to match their wedding bands to the metal of their engagement rings, but the days of never mixing metals are over. For those looking to experiment, mixed metal stacks can look chic and fashion-forward. Consider adding a yellow gold band or rose gold band to your white or platinum engagement ring, or vice versa.
Add a second
Can’t make up your mind between two decorative bands? Consider adding a second for a stacked look. “Stacks are an opportunity to get creative,” Biele says. The best part? They don’t even have to match. Consider experimenting with size, setting and color for a look that’s uniquely yours.
Alternative bands
Platinum and gold aren’t the only metals in town—more and more, especially for grooms, Biele receives requests for non-precious metals like tungsten, titanium, cobalt and ceramic. Tungsten and cobalt are popular choices due to their scratch resistant properties. Alternative bands are also a good option for those looking for a darker colored ring. “Design and price points are typically the driving factor behind alternative bands,” Biele says.
The downside of alternative bands? They can’t be resized, so Biele suggests prioritizing the most important qualities that you are looking for in a wedding band (color, metal strength, ability to resize, budget) and making an informed decision.
Ultimately, your wedding band should be a reflection of your personal style and a happy reminder of your commitment and love, made to last for a lifetime. Enlisting a professional, experienced jeweler from the start is the only way to ensure that your vision is brought to life, precisely the way you want it.
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Visit Atlantic City Jewelry at 437 Atlantic City Boulevard in Bayville, or 110 East Main Street in Tuckerton, or online at atlanticcityjewelry.com.
