Wedding Ring Buying Guide

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! We’re delighted that you’re thinking of including Luxe by Hugh Rice in your big day. We’ve put together this helpful guide to wedding rings to ensure you make the perfect choice to express your commitment.

 

A symbol of commitment

Wedding rings have been worn to signify commitment for thousands of years. The first noted use of wedding rings was in ancient Egypt, over 6,000 years ago, where braided rings of hemp and reeds would be exchanged between spouses. The circle was considered a symbol of eternity, with the ring serving to represent their everlasting love.

Wedding ring being put on a bride's finger

It was also the ancient Egyptians who originated the tradition of wearing a wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand, as they believed that this finger contained a special vein connected directly to the heart, the symbolical centre of emotion.

In modern wedding ceremonies, it is traditional to exchange rings after making your vows; the moment of promise between a couple in which the hopes for their marriage are pledged. From then on, the rings serve as a beautiful statement of the everlasting commitment. Many couples choose to engrave the band with a meaningful message or the date of their big day.

 

Traditional, diamond or bespoke

Our ring choices are traditional, diamond, or bespoke:

A traditional ring is unadorned and available in a choice of profiles and widths. Traditional rings can also be finished externally with a choice of finishing options.

A diamond wedding ring is a more modern choice, for those who prefer a touch of sparkle. There is no need to select a profile or width as the type and size of the diamond will dictate this for a diamond wedding ring.

If you’d prefer a bespoke design, please email us at bespoke@hughrice.co.uk to arrange a free consultation. Bespoke designs are a passion for us, and we would be delighted to design something to your specification.

 

Profile

We offer a refined, uncomplicated choice of ring profiles:

 

Classic Court

A traditional and very popular choice; a Classic Court profile is slightly curved on both the inside and outside, providing a comfortable fit, perfect if you intend to wear your wedding ring permanently.

 

Lightweight Court

The same shape as a Classic Court profile, however the Lightweight Court is a slightly lighter metal, providing the wearer with reduced weight on their finger, ideal if you’re unaccustomed to wearing a ring.

 

Flat Court

As the name suggest, the Flat Court offers a flatter option over a Classic Court profile. It provides a contemporary, sleek look, with a chunkier, thicker aesthetic, with a slight curved inside for comfort.

 

D-Shape

A traditional choice, popular with both men and women, the D-Shape profile is flat on the inside and rounded on the outside. This provides a close, comfortable fit which is less likely to snag.

 

Consider how it will sit against your engagement ring, we also offer shaped wedding bands to sit alongside engagement rings.

 

Metal

Metal choice is paramount when deciding on your wedding bands. Not does it need to look attractive as you’ll see it every day, it also needs to be sturdy enough to take the wear your hands will put it through. We offer five metal options, each providing a superb option for your wedding band.

 

White Gold

Hard-wearing and beautiful, white gold contains a higher content of white metals than yellow gold, producing a much paler colour. White gold rings are plated with rhodium, a white metal which provides a brilliant shine. As such, they provide a superb setting for diamonds and are perfect for those who love gold but prefer a more contemporary style. The rhodium plating is hypoallergenic and helps to protect the white gold. It is worth bearing in mind that although the rhodium plating is very strong, it will wear away with time, revealing the pale gold colour underneath. We offer a re-plating service in-house at a discounted rate if your wedding ring is purchased from us.

Our white gold rings are available in 9ct or 18ct.

 

Yellow Gold

The traditional colour for a wedding band; nothing glistens quite like gold. The hard-wearing metal provides a warmth unlike other metals, and this time-honoured jewellery staple provides gorgeous shine that does not tarnish, meaning your wedding band will stay looking perfect for longer.

Our yellow gold rings are available in 9ct or 18ct.

Rose Gold

A modern choice, the blushed pink hues of a rose gold ring is a popular choice. To achieve the sumptuous colouring, a higher copper content is added to the alloy, providing a sturdy ring that evokes a romantic response and wears well over time.

Our rose gold rings are available in 9ct or 18ct.

 

Platinum

Platinum is one of the hardest metals. Its incredibly reflective, naturally-white colour will not tarnish, nor fade, and its rarity is a perfect parallel for the love you share. Heavy and strong, you can rest assured this symbol of your marriage will stand the test of time.

Our platinum rings are only ever crafted from the finest 950 alloy, meaning it is 95% pure platinum.

 

Palladium

Part of the platinum group, palladium is a white precious metal popular for a natural white colour that does not tarnish or need re-plating. It offers a more affordable alternative to white gold or platinum which is low-maintenance and incredibly durable.

Our palladium rings are only ever crafted from the finest 950 alloy, meaning it is 95% pure palladium.

 

Width

The width of a wedding ring is measured in millimetres and we offer 2 mm to 6 mm as standard. If you require a larger width, we would be happy to make this as a bespoke order for you.

The perfect ring width does not exist; it is dependent on the wearer. We would normally recommend between 2mm and 4 mm for women and 4mm to 6 mm width for men.

 

Size

To find your size, please use our size guide available here.

 

Wedding Ring FAQ

Is delivery free for wedding rings?

Yes, free Express Delivery is provided with your wedding ring order. Please see our Orders, Delivery and Returns for more information.

 

How long will it take to deliver my wedding rings?

We aim to process your order and deliver your Wedding Ring within 2-6 weeks as each ring is made to specifically for each customer. We’ll be in touch with you to let you know what stage your order is at. 

We’ll always do our best to meet the delivery times, but please be aware that during bank holidays and extremely busy times there may occasionally be a slight delay.

Please see our Orders, Delivery and Returns for more information.

 

Do you offer finance for wedding rings?

Our finance options are available on all orders over £300. Please see our Finance page for full details.

 

Do you offer gift wrapping for wedding rings?

Yes, we provide a complimentary gift wrap service if required with all wedding ring purchases, please select the Gift Wrap option at the checkout.

 

Can I order wedding rings over the phone?

Yes, please call us on 0800 3423180 and we’ll be happy to help process your order. Please note that we can’t take payment over the phone for your security, however we can take your details and email you a payment link.

 

What aftercare will I receive when I order my wedding rings?

We provide a complimentary lifetime cleaning service for all wedding rings purchased from us. At the time of cleaning, we will also inspect your wedding rings for any signs of wear or damage, and offer a repair service to help ensure your ring lasts a lifetime. For more information on how to return the ring for cleaning or repair, please see here.

 

Do you offer a warranty on wedding rings?

Yes, our wedding rings come with a 5-year warranty from the date of purchase. This covers against material defects and workmanship faults.

 

Can I return a wedding ring?

Yes, we offer free returns on our Wedding Rings within 30 days from the date of purchase, with the exception of wedding rings that have been finished or engraved.

Please see our Orders, Delivery and Returns for more information.

 

Can I book an appointment to speak to a wedding ring Specialist?

We would love to answer any queries via our LiveChat available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours please feel free to leave a LiveChat ticket or email us at info@luxehughrice.co.uk, or you can call us on 0800 342 3180.