You have your wedding day all set. You have the location, caterer, flowers and officiate. Now you just need the wedding rings. Of all the choices you will have to make for your wedding day, choosing the right wedding rings is one choice that will be with you for years to come.

To help you with this special choice we have put together this easy to use guide to selecting the perfect wedding rings.

Deciding Which Precious Metal to Choose:
There are 3 main options when it comes to wedding rings: yellow gold, white gold and platinum.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is the traditional "marriage metal" that has been used for wedding bands. The yellow gold wedding ring is believed to best reflect the warmth and love of a marriage. The rich color of yellow gold complements darker skin tones and those with a yellow undertone, and provides a complimentary setting for rich colored stones such as amethysts and rubies.

Most wedding rings are made of 14 karat or 18 karat gold. The karat is a measure of the gold's purity. 24 karats is pure gold and has the brightest color, but is too soft to be used for jewelry. Anything less than 24 karats means that metal alloys (copper, zinc, silver, nickel, etc.) have been added to strengthen the gold. 18 karat gold is a popular choice because it offers a good balance of strength and gold color. 14 karat, the most popular among wedding rings, is also a respectable choice offering a less expensive option with more durability, although it may not be as bright as 18 or 24K.

For more information on the color of gold, please see our education pages.

White Gold

White gold wedding rings are a very popular and elegant option. Originally wedding rings were made of white gold to imitate Platinum during WWII, when Platinum was declared a strategic metal by the US Government thus disallowing its use for jewelry. Its popularity has remained constant since the ban on the use of Platinum was lifted and white gold is now an extremely popular choice for wedding rings. White gold wedding rings offer a great look similar to that of Platinum, yet is a much less expensive option.

Platinum

Between 1900 and 1940 platinum was the most popular white metal used for jewelry. This trend was interrupted at the outset of World War II when the US government declared Platinum a strategic metal thus disallowing its use for jewelry. By the end of the war Platinum had temporarily become a lost art. Due to its durability and versatility, however, over the past fifty years platinum has regained its popularity and is now one of the most widely used metals for wedding rings.

Platinum has numerous qualities that make it a very appealing choice as a wedding band. It's most appealing characteristic is its durability - it's more resistant to wear and tear than gold or silver. Other advantages to owning a platinum wedding band is its strength and purity - it will not easily chip or splinter. It is hypoallergenic and holds gems securely in the wedding band. Platinum is the most expensive of the metals discussed in this article, however due to these appealing characteristics many people believe Platinum to be the most desirable choice for a wedding band, and well worth the additional money.

For more information on Platinum please see our education pages.

Two Tone

Having trouble deciding which color to use? Two tone wedding bands offer an attractive choice by blending yellow gold and white gold together to form a beautiful two tone wedding band. Two tone wedding rings offer the best of both worlds and a ring that shines with elegance and sophistication.

Eternity Wedding Bands offers a large selection of two tone wedding bands in 14K gold.

Deciding Whether to Include Diamonds

Diamond wedding bands are a stylish option that beautifully complements a diamond engagement ring. Diamond wedding bands are commonly purchased for either the big wedding day or an anniversary. Many people choose to purchase a diamond wedding band to match their engagement ring for their big wedding day, and some choose to upgrade to a diamond wedding band for their anniversary. Whether it's your first, fifth or tenth anniversary, purchasing a diamond wedding band makes it truly special.

There are two main categories of diamond wedding bands - Eternity rings, and non-Eternity Rings. An Eternity Ring is one in which the diamonds go all the way around the band, versus a non-Eternity ring in which the diamonds are included only partially around the band. An Eternity Ring is appealing because it is always perfectly positioned with the diamonds facing outward - no matter how the ring is positioned on your finger!

A more expensive option than a solid gold wedding band, a diamond wedding band is a big purchase and one that should be investigated properly before making a decision. With the help of the internet there are many vendors that offer consumers many different styles and prices of wedding bands. Please be careful that you know the characteristics of the wedding band before purchasing. Some characteristics to note and possibly compare between vendors:

• the total carat weight of the wedding band
• the number of diamonds included in the ring (larger diamonds are more expensive than smaller diamonds. Thus if you compare two different vendors both that offer a 1 CT ring but one that includes 14 diamonds and one that includes 11 diamonds, they may have different prices.)
• The quality of the diamonds, including Color and Clarity
• The quality of gold (10K, 14K, 18K) or Platinum
• The Return policy - this is a big purchase, if you are not satisfied you want to be sure you can receive your money back! You should purchase from a site that offers at least 20 days before having to return the ring, and look for a site that offers a full merchandise refund. Many vendors require a fee if returning a custom ordered ring. This is a legitimate fee, as there is labor required to manufacture custom orders. However you should not be charged more than 15% to return a custom ordered ring.
• Shipping options - you may save on the cost of the wedding ring, but you must factor in all costs such as shipping before determining the difference in price!
• Is the site secure? Make sure you are dealing with a legitimate company before making this big purchase. Also make sure the site uses SSL encryption software (SSL encryption software allows a web site to securely communicate without risk of mistreatment or recipient impersonation and securely protect the privacy of their customers personal information). Also, make sure the web site has partnered with a company, such as VeriSign, that monitors each transaction and guarantees each purchase to be 100% safe and secure

Education is key! The first step to purchasing a diamond wedding band is to read about the 4 Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. See our educational guide to buying diamonds to assist you in purchasing your diamond wedding ring.

Wedding Rings for Men

Some men may feel divided on the question of whether to wear a wedding ring. In the United States prior to World War II it was rare for a groom to receive a ring. During the war, however, men's wedding rings became popular as a reminder of the wife who remained at home while the husband was off at the warfront. Nowadays it is customary for men to wear wedding bands, and many even opt for a more stylish option by choosing a diamond wedding band.
Many men are concerned about the comfort of a wedding band. The discomfort many men notice when first wearing a wedding band is usually temporary, and the ring should start to feel more comfortable and natural after he wears it for a week or so. The cause of discomfort is usually because men are not used to having a ring on their finger, and it just takes some getting used to. To ease in this transition process, we suggest looking for "comfort fit" or comfort feel rings, as they have rounded inside edges that provide a more comfortable fit for the wearer.

Deciding Whether to Match or Not

You may consider 'his and hers' wedding rings that either match or have common elements. Typically a woman's wedding ring is smaller in size although it is entirely a personal choice and many women opt for the same width as their men's band. If you and your husband or fianc?e have different styles, you can select rings of the same metal but different designs. A very popular option is choosing a diamond wedding ring for the woman and a similar diamond wedding band for the man, or choosing a diamond wedding ring for the woman and a simple, gold band in the same color for the man. No matter what option you choose, it will always be the right one if you love it. There is no right or wrong when purchasing wedding bands, it all comes down to personal taste!

What Else to Consider

The internet offers many great options and the ability to compare different styles and prices, but be sure you know exactly what you are getting before you purchase. Make sure the company offers a money back guarantee, and the site is secure before offering your credit card information.

Finding the perfect wedding band should be an enjoyable experience. But remember - there is no right or wrong. Bigger diamonds doesn't necessarily mean better, and the quality of diamonds and gold is a personal choice. Remember that the right choice is one that you're happy with!

With this information you should be all set to shop for your wedding rings. Eternity Wedding Bands offers a large selection of diamond and non diamond wedding bands in many different styles. Click on one of the categories to see a large selection of wedding bands at our low prices:

Diamond Wedding Bands

Eternity Rings
Anniversary Rings
Wedding Bands
Men's Diamond Wedding Bands
3 & 5 Diamond Wedding Bands

Non-Diamond Wedding Bands

Yellow Gold Wedding Bands
White Gold Wedding Bands
Platinum Wedding Bands
Two-Tone Wedding Bands