Types of Wedding Rings: What Are the Different Types of Wedding Rings?
Sep 16, 2024
With all the hype around finding the perfect engagement ring, it can be easy to forget about an equally important piece of matrimonial jewelry: the wedding ring (or wedding band).
Not sure where to start? Check out this helpful guide to the most popular types of wedding rings, their pros and cons, how much they cost, how to match each one to an engagement ring, and more.
Different Types of Wedding Rings
The most popular types of wedding rings are plain metal bands and (half) eternity bands. You can never go wrong choosing these classic designs. However, if you want a unique wedding ring, curved wedding bands and willow rings are excellent choices.
1. Plain Metal Bands: Popular, Minimalist, and Versatile
This is a simple type of wedding ring with no gemstones, and it's usually made of a precious metal like platinum or white, rose, or yellow gold.
Rosery Poetry Plain gold wedding band in silver and 10K gold starting from $39, SHOP NOW.
Pros:
- Is a great choice if you're very active and don't want to take off your wedding ring
- You don't have to worry about damaging settings or stones
- Can coordinate with any engagement ring style
Cons:
- Might be too plain for some people's tastes
- Can be difficult to personalize
How to Match an Engagement Ring?
One of the best things about plain metal wedding bands is that they match any style of engagement ring. Just make sure the colors of the metals match!
Price Range
Anywhere from under $20 to over $2000, depending on the type of metal used, the manufacturer, engravings, etc.
2. (Half) Eternity Bands: The Most Luxurious
Moissanite half-eternity band $69.9, SHOP NOW.
The eternity band is a design with a sentimental touch. The ring is encrusted with a circle of identically-sized diamonds (or diamond alternatives like moissanite or other gemstones) symbolizing eternity.
Half-eternity rings only include stones on the outward-facing part of the ring, as this design can be more comfortable.
Pros:
- Is often bold enough to wear without an engagement ring
- Even if it spins on your finger, you'll still see diamonds
- Can be easily customized with different diamond cuts or different gemstones
Cons:
- The stones going all around an eternity ring can be uncomfortable
- Full-band eternity rings can't be resized
How to Match an Engagement Ring?
These types of wedding rings will look great with most types of engagement rings, but the look will be more cohesive if the stones have the same setting.
Price Range
You can use diamonds of many sizes on eternity rings, so the potential price range is massive! These rings can range from under $1000 to well over $10,000.
3. Curved Wedding Band
Rosery Poetry Curved moissanite wedding band $85, SHOP NOW.
Looking for a departure from the typical round wedding band? Uniquely-shaped rings like V-shaped and U-shaped wedding bands add a little extra flair.
Pros:
- When paired with the right engagement ring, they create a solid look
- They're ideal if you want a unique-looking wedding band
- Many of them have a vintage appeal
Cons:
- They can be very difficult to resize
- Some people think they look incomplete when worn without an engagement ring
How to Match an Engagement Ring?
There's a lot you can do when it comes to matching these types of wedding rings. You can stack a U-shaped or V-shaped wedding band with a similarly shaped engagement ring, or you can use one with a low-profile engagement ring for a "nested" look.
Price Range
These types of wedding rings have endless setting options. Some might have a simple accent diamond. Others may be encrusted with multiple large stones. You can find them from around $500 to over $5000.
4. Bezel Setting Ring
Oval moonstone ring vintage style art deco $56.9, SHOP NOW.
In a bezel setting, a band of metal (as opposed to a prong) holds each stone in place. This type of setting can be found in a wide range of jewelry styles.
Pros:
- Very secure, so you're not likely to lose or damage the stones
- They make stones appear larger
- Can protect stones from damage
Cons:
- Can look bulky
- Can reduce the sparkle of a diamond or other stone
How to Match an Engagement Ring?
The right match will depend on how many bezel-set stones your wedding band has (and how large they are). But generally, bezel-set wedding bands look best with engagement rings that have a relatively simple, unadorned band.
Price Range
Depending on the exact style of a bezel-set band, the price can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand or more.
5. Pavé Wedding Rings
Teardrop moonstone ring sterling silver moonstone ring $56.9, SHOP NOW.
In a pavé band, small gemstones (often diamonds) are set right into the metal. The setting creates a uniquely glittery effect.
Pros:
- Offers plenty of sparkle without prongs
- Can be easily customized with different patterns
- You can include just about any gemstone
Cons:
- Can sometimes compete with the sparkle of a flashy engagement ring
- Can be expensive
How to Match an Engagement Ring?
Pavé wedding bands go best with engagement rings that also have some level of pavé. For instance, an engagement ring with a pavé band or a ring with a paveé halo setting would go beautifully.
Price Range
Usually, about $500-$1500 (or more) for rings with natural diamonds, though less expensive stones will make them considerably more affordable.
6. Channel-Set Bands: Vintage-Style
In a channel-set wedding band, stones are set in the center of the ring between two metal walls.
Pros:
- Helps minimize imperfections in each diamond
- Can make smaller stones look larger
- Protects stones from damage
Cons:
- Can accumulate dirt easily
- The style was most popular in the 80s and 90s, so some might think it's a little dated
How to Match an Engagement Ring?
These types of wedding rings are pretty versatile when it comes to matching. But if you really want to make a statement, pair a channel-set wedding band with an engagement ring that also has a channel setting.
Price Range
Channel settings are generally very cost-effective. You can find high-quality wedding bands for $400-$3000, although there are of course more expensive options.
7. Willow Rings or Twisted Rings: Unique and Creative
Willow wedding rings are designed to look like winding tree branches, and the diamonds (or other stones) are often cut to look like leaves.
Twisted bands also have this winding or twisted look, though the stones may or may not be leaf-shaped.
Pros:
- Their artistic design sets them apart from many other bands
- There's plenty of opportunity for customization
- With the right engagement ring, you can create a beautiful stack
Cons:
- Can be difficult to resize
- They're not quite as common as other types, so design choices may be limited
How to Match an Engagement Ring?
These types of wedding bands offer you a chance to get creative when it comes to matching. A similarly-designed engagement ring can pair nicely, but so can a simpler ring made of the same metal.
Price Range
Many jewelers offer great willow rings or twisted rings in the $700-$2000 range, although rings with many stones or extra-elaborate settings may cost more.
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