To Bling or Not To Bling: That Is the Question
You’ve already answered one of the biggest, most important questions you’ll ever be asked. And with your affirmative answer, you were probably presented with an engagement ring. Most engagement rings these days feature a large center diamond, although many couples are opting for alternative gemstones. Some couples though prefer no stones. I salute those couples who are forging their own paths and bucking convention.
So how do you choose? How do you know if you’re the type of bride who should sport a knockout sparkler of a wedding band or if you should choose an un-jeweled metal band? Honestly, this is largely a matter of taste. But to help get the wheels in your head turning, here are a couple things to ponder while you consider your wedding band options.
The consideration at the top of your list should be your lifestyle. My mom works in a medical laboratory and although she has one of the most beautiful wedding ring sets I’ve ever seen, she usually wears a simple band that her husband gave her several years after they were married. Her reasoning was simple and the logic undeniable: her work gloves didn’t fit comfortably over her wedding set. The gloves pulled and in addition to not feeling great, it could be a health hazard if the latex glove was ever to rip. If this sentiment resonates with you, a lower profile wedding band with no stones might be a great choice for you. If this sounds like you, check out some of my top no-diamond wedding bands: The Half Round 4mm Wedding Band, straightforward and elegant, I like this simple beauty in 18k rose gold. Murano’s allure is in the antiqued scroll engravings. It is understated, but it captures the romance of wedded bliss.
Another person who might find it an asset to have a diamond-free wedding band is someone who spends a lot of time with children, especially babies (this could be early childhood teachers, childcare workers, and any mom). Most diamonds are mounted with prongs, and prongs stick up and could easily scratch a child’s delicate skin. In the interest of being fair, you have many mounting options. Timeless Wedding Bands offers a huge selection of wedding bands that have diamonds, but are mounted in other types of settings, like channel set or bezel set. Channel and bezel settings are low profile and don’t have prongs like the standard settings that come to mind when you think of diamond rings. In fact, when I had my engagement ring and wedding band designed (by the incredible artists at Andre’s Fine Jewelers in Brighton, MI), I specifically asked for bezel set diamonds, because I knew I didn’t want prongs. So if your sole reason for not wanting diamonds in your wedding band is your time spent with children, know that you have other options. You can have your bling and safety too. For a fetching and low profile gem ring sounds like it fits the bill of your demanding life, why not wear the Sabrina Wedding Ring? Sabrina parades channel set princess (square) diamonds all the way around the ring. For a more delicate ring, I’d choose the Arielle Wedding Band. Her offset bezel set round diamonds are reminiscent of bubbles, which say happiness and joy like nothing else.
I know a great many women who only wear their wedding band. They either never had an engagement ring, lost their engagement ring (oops!), or just don’t like wearing it. For the women who take a one-ring approach to their nuptial symbol, choosing a ring with diamonds might be just the ticket. Most of the ne’r worn engagement rings contained diamonds, as it is far more common for ladies to have jeweled engagement rings than not. Choosing one wedding band with diamonds kills two birds with one ring. You’re still able to go the simple route with one ring, but have your sparkle atop your finger too. For a single-ring diamond showstopper, you can’t go wrong with the Suzette Wedding Ring. Suzette is both feminine and strong, with an openwork floral design accented with round brilliant diamonds and milgrained metal.
Like I said, this is largely a matter of personal taste and style. Lifestyle is something to carefully consider though as you make this decision. Whichever choice you make will be the right one for you, so don’t fret too much. And if you’re really paralyzed by this quandary, just ask yourself: What would Rebecca do?
Diamonds, girl. Always diamonds.
Rebecca
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