Ashley Hampson
Vena amoris.
An ancient Greek and Roman belief stated that there was a 'vein of love' connecting the wedding ring finger with the heart and, though modern science has long disputed this as fact, the symbolic connection continues to resound amongst couples across the globe.
The real fact is that wedding rings remain one of the most poignant signifiers not only of your love, but individual style.
With so many different options on the market, it's easy to see why their fashion fix status continues to soar. From bespoke pieces crafted from scratch to personalisation via design, inscriptions and gemstones, wedding ring buying has become less of a last minute chore and more of a modern trend.
After all, it's one of the only things that remains along with your love as the marital months turn to years, as designer Justin Duance (justind.co.uk) explains: "It's one of the few things from the day that you'll keep for the rest of your life, so making sure it's a personal and comfortable reflection of yourself is important. It's not just something that says you're married - it's also a reflection of your character."
We've enlisted the county's top jewellers and designer-makers to offer their expert advice on buying a wedding ring and delved into the range of styles available to help you get started...
Joshua Gooding
CLASSIC
If you're seeking something that spells immutable, then a classic wedding band is the ideal choice. A singularity of colour, design and material oozes simplicity of statement and ensures an element of both modern minimalism and timelessness.
Metal is an important consideration because, though gold remains a popular choice, there's an array of alternatives, as Katie Elvin from Michael Spiers (michaelspiers.co.uk) elaborates: "Metals wise, platinum is the ideal metal of choice as it is pure white in colour. It's also the hardest wearing so it's ideal for setting diamonds."
"Palladium has grown in popularity since receiving precious metal status in 2010," continues Matthew Holt from Coopers Couture (cooperscouture.com). "Another pure white metal, this is currently around half the price of platinum and is a very good choice for those wanting a hard-wearing ring. White gold is graded in different grades of whiteness with the grade determining how quickly or how much the metal will lose its bright white colour. Coopers Couture only use Grade 1 whiteness in all their white gold rings, meaning the colour is not lost over time."
VINTAGE
Whether heirloom, antique or vintage-inspired, the sense of history, bygone glamour and sentimentalism that a vintage piece represents adds another dimension of individuality.
However, matching a wedding ring to an antique or vintage engagement ring can prove difficult. "This is because both the styles and techniques of making jewellery have evolved over time," explains Matthew. "Many modern wedding ring designs can appear to overwhelm a delicate antique engagement ring for example, or the charm of a vintage ring can clash with a shiny new wedding band." Try to select similar designs and metals to maximise the durability of both.
Alternatively, Coopers Couture offers a curated collection of genuine antique and vintage wedding rings that match with many styles of engagement ring; from hand-engraved wedding bands to diamond-set art deco eternity rings. What's more, their goldsmiths are able to design perfectly matching wedding rings to suit all styles, and can even use old-cut diamonds for a genuinely antique appearance.
Emma Solley
CONTEMPORARY
From bright, bejewelled pieces to delicately designed slim bands and bold, eye-catching diamonds, contemporary wedding rings are all about 'you' style.
A subtle infusion of colour also seems to be growing in popularity, as Laura Hoole from designer Erin Cox (erincox.co.uk) explains: "Erin has little coloured diamonds to add to wedding rings, which are elegantly understated yet sparkle beautifully like only a diamond can."
Beyond the embellishment, there's a wide choice of metals for the contemporary couple. "We've noticed a lot more people buying rose gold and even yellow gold seems to be making a resurgence," observes Justin. "Non-precious metals like titanium also seem to be more prevalent especially with men, which is a good option if he doesn't want yellow gold - it's a dark, almost blue grey similar to gun metal."
As well as co-designing your wedding bands with your chosen designer, another trend is to revamp and redesign pre-existing pieces. "We also offer the option to use your own metals when making your ring," says Justin. "We can remake a family heirloom or an old piece of jewellery into something new and uniquely personal to you while retaining its sentimental value."
HIS 'N' HERS
Nothing smacks of unity like matching wedding rings. Mirroring your sense of style along with marital bond, his 'n' hers are all the rage for the way they accentuate meaning as well as your unique coupledom.
Whether you have them made especially for you or select a supplier that stocks a matching selection, the movement is gaining popularity amongst couples and designers alike.
"Matching wedding rings can be difficult when trying to accommodate different tastes. Erin makes her beautiful molten designs in narrow and wide styles with various textures and finishes, which means that you can have different metals but still match the style of wedding band," comments Laura. "You can also add little touches: perhaps a diamond set inside the band for the groom for hidden sparkle and one on the outside for the bride."
There are also some exquisite options for coordinating engagement, wedding and eternity rings. "We have a beautiful collection of bridal suites featuring perfectly matching engagement, wedding and eternity rings designed to be worn together," says Matthew. "These have the benefit of matching profiles and metals, minimising wear and ensuring perfect proportions."
BESPOKE
Still the buzzword for weddings the world over, why settle for a generic piece of wedding jewellery when every other aspect has been individually considered? From updating vintage finds to commissioning your own designs, bespoke wedding rings can take a variety of fabulously unique forms.
"There is now a whole industry where couples can pay to go on a course and make their own wedding rings," elaborates Justin. "Or you might have some inherited gold remade into wedding rings. We get lots of people wanting to inlay some woods that mean something to them. We use salvaged wood from Cornish boats or ancient forests to make rings that are a little different for people."
PERSONALISE
If your hearts are firmly set on a family heirloom or you'd like to individualise a plain set of bands, then a little personalisation can instantly transform, update and stamp some character.
"Michael Spiers offers an engraving service where couples can have their wedding rings personalised with names or the date of their special day or a personal message to each other which can be a nice touch," suggests Katie.
"The traditional plain wedding band can be adapted to include a distinctive pattern or even diamonds," reveals Matthew. "You can choose the style of ring you would like and then customise it, adding a vintage-style mill grain edge to your rings, a modern groove, a satin finish, or add single or even multiple diamonds to create the ring of your dreams."
TOP TIPS FOR BUYING A WEDDING RING
Money matters. Work out your budget and don't leave it until the last minute. Justin Duance
A question of wear. Consider when and where your ring is going to be worn when choosing your metal, as some precious metals are more hard-wearing than others. Matthew Holt
Love story. Go for the ring you like the most. Jewellery is such a personal thing and it's important that you love your ring for years to come. Katie Elvin
The size issue. The thickness and profile of a ring affects the ring size. A wider ring needs a bigger size. Justin Duance
A good match. Ensure that the metal of the engagement and wedding ring matches, as different metals worn together can cause damage and wear to the softer metal over time. Always match the carat of gold of the engagement and wedding ring, whether it's 9ct or 18ct white or yellow gold. Platinum and palladium can be worn together as they are around the same in hardness. Matthew Holt
Scroll through our picture gallery (below) for more inspiration...
words Hannah May
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
