Many people ask us: “what type of wedding band will go with my engagement ring?,” and, “do I have to wear one?” Today, there really is no right answer. As a matter of fact, engagement rings themselves aren’t necessarily quite as traditional as they used to be. The traditions of yesterday have changed drastically, and the rules are: there are no rules.
The sapphire was the original engagement ring, and it’s making the rounds back to us again. While most women still dream of that big diamond ring, some opt for a less-traditional approach with a colored gemstone. Many go for the sapphire; some even go for an aquamarine. Some don’t wear an engagement ring at all; they simply get married with a wedding band.
While some are fortunate enough to find the perfect wedding band to match their engagement ring and others have one custom made, some don’t run into that problem at all. The option of no wedding band at all is common today, with a wider diamond ring and no need for the band. Wearing the engagement ring on the right hand while wearing the band on your left also eliminates the need for the rings to fit together or match perfectly. Stacking rings on your left hand, such as using “bookends” with the engagement ring in the middle is also a great alternative.
Now, moving on to the men. Matching wedding bands are certainly a personal preference. They do look nice in wedding photos, and it’s a great idea to think of them as a “set.” However, if the engagement ring you love is white gold, and your hubby-to-be prefers yellow, let him have it. You could argue if you’d like, but the fact of the matter is, he’s stuck with that band for the rest of his life. It should be something he really likes. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll get a fiancé who doesn’t have too strong of an opinion, and you can choose anything you’d like. The point is, don’t get too hung up on rules. Do what you like, and be sure that you’re happy with what you end up with.
While the traditional engagement ring/wedding band set will always be at the center of the bridal jewelry industry, it’s good to know that there are other options for those who are not quite so traditional. Your wedding ring(s) can be as unique as you are, and every once in a while, it’s good to break the rules.
Our new in-store collection, The Renaissance Collection, is a sterling silver recreation of some of the most prominent pieces in Renaissance history. Made in the Netherlands, the pieces are hand-crafted from original Renaissance period molds,and includes many Art Neuvo and Art Deco designs.
The Renaissance Period was characterized by an exponential growth in knowledge, artistic expression, global exploration, and trade. The search for beauty was a prominent objective during this time. Jewelry played a large part throughout the times, with the European fascination of gold and gemstones.
Luxuries during this period were mostly confined to the upper class, with the rich finding it easiest to condense their wealth into the more easily exchangeable currency of gemstones. Such jewels and gem stones became symbolic for wealth, with Monarchs and European nobility holding the majority of divine gems.
While many pieces during the period were focused around larger gemstones, cabochon stones as well as baroque pearls were extremely popular. Many pieces featured pearl accents, and exotic animals were quite popular. It was common to find pendants adorned with parrots, pelicans, and lizards. The period also saw early stages of costume jewelry, with beads in place of pearls and conch shell rather than stone cameos. Jewelers introduced parures, suites of matching jewelry, such as a diamond tiara, earrings, necklace, and brooch. These sets were popular among royalty, and have managed to hold an influence on today’s jewelry trends.
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