wedding rings - I don't even know the basics!

slbhill

We're getting married on a real shoestring budget, but we've agreed that we don't mind spending a bit on the wedding rings to get something that doesn't get worn out. (I resent spending hard-saved money on a one-day event, but a ring that I will hopefully wear for decades feels more worthwhile). I thought that it would be straightforward to price up a plain gold wedding band - but there are so many variations & it's making my brain hurt! Yes I'm female but I don't really *do* jewellery and sometimes it shows So the basic questions...

I looked up "carats" and understand that the higher the number of carats the more pure the gold. Is purer gold better? Longer lasting?

If I look at, say, a 4mm D shaped gold band, and go for 18 carat, does it matter where I buy it? Will an Argos one be different from a ring from a "proper jeweller"?

I am so far out of my depth I'm not even sure I can see the surface :eek:

If anyone can suggest what else I probably haven't even thought of then please feel free!

codemonkey

Do you have an engagement ring? If you do your wedding ring will need to be the same metal and carat (if gold) otherwise they'll wear out.

If you're just after a plain gold band I'd recomend betts metal sales. If you sign up as a hobbyist, you get trade prices and they deliver quickly too.

Ms_Chocaholic

I hope this helps.

How Pure Is Your Gold Jewelry?

Chances are the ring on your finger is marked 18K, 14K, or 10K, with the K standing for karat, the system used to describe the percentage of pure gold an item contains. The higher the karat number, the higher the percentage of gold in your gold jewelry.

• 24K gold is pure gold.
• 18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold.
• 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold.
• 12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold.
• 10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold. 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called "gold" in the United States

So What Should You Buy?

Solid gold is durable, so it is a better choice for jewelry you'll wear regularly. If you have allergies to nickel or other metals, choose items that have high gold content, such as 18K or 22K gold jewelry.
Gold filled or plated jewelry is suitable for jewelry that you wear occasionally. Everyday use would eventually diminish the gold layer, exposing the metal below, which might stain your skin or cause an allergic reaction.


For pieces that will last a lifetime and beyond, buy the highest quality gold your budget allows.

taken from here
http://jewelry.about.com/od/jewelrymetals/a/gold_jewelry.htm




For my two penneth worth and I'm no expert, I always thought that the higher K gold the softer it was and more likely to be bent out of shape, this article doesn't state this, jsut it's hardwearing-ness so I'm still not sure. Maybe someone will be along soon who knows something:rotfl:

slbhill

codemonkey wrote: »

Do you have an engagement ring? If you do your wedding ring will need to be the same metal and carat (if gold) otherwise they'll wear out.

If you're just after a plain gold band I'd recomend betts metal sales. If you sign up as a hobbyist, you get trade prices and they deliver quickly too.

No engagement ring - which from reading various threads here simplifies things quite a lot! Thanks for the suggestion, will go and have a look!

Hollie84

A jewwllery quarter i find is always better as u will get more for your money

mummybearx

I think you should just buy something you like at a price you can afford! We bought my engagement ring from a pawn shop, paid £850 for it and got it valued at £2500 :T Bought my wedding ring from Argos for £149, same type of gold with some teeny tiny diamonds that match my engagement ring.

You can get some gorgeous jewellery from Argos. I looked at some lovely 9ct gold rings for like £30+. 9ct means they have less gold in them, but that makes them harder and more hardwearing (IMO).

Hope you find something you like

MrsDrink

slbhill wrote: »

If I look at, say, a 4mm D shaped gold band, and go for 18 carat, does it matter where I buy it? Will an Argos one be different from a ring from a "proper jeweller"?

Strictly speaking yes. An 18ct 4mm plain D band from one place will be the same as another. Because UK rings have to be hallmarked if you buy an 18ct ring it will be an 18ct ring (but just incase check for hallmark - it will say 750 on it somewhere).

The only variance here is the width of the band, and the thickness of the D. Whilst the width of the bands should be the same (4mm) regardless of company, I have found the thickness of the D can alter. Rings tend to come in three thicknesses' - light, medium, heavy, light being the thinnest, heavy being the thickest. I would say if you want a simple light D they'd be the same, but the heavy D ones may differ.

I would say though - don't assume Argos is the cheapest option. Sometimes your local independent jeweller may surprise you.

jojo2004

As an ex-jewellery shop employee, I can confirm - the higher the carat of the gold, the softer the metal. You'd be unlikely to find a 24k ring for this reason - it would bend/deform too easily. 18k, however, is fine, and pretty standard for a wedding ring - 14k is less 'gold' coloured, and 9k even less so, due to the additions, but they are harder than 18k.
In terms of where to go, you can exchange Tesco Clubcard vouchers for Goldsmith's vouchers, so that might help.
Also, be aware that gold prices are sky high right now - if you want cheaper, go for a different metal - platinum, titanium, palladium, etc.
HTH xx

danielley

Sorry to hijack!

I have a platinum engagement ring, would a palladium wedding ring be suitable?

Does palladium look like platinum or is it duller?

Many Thanks

Spencer_Li

danielley wrote: »

Sorry to hijack!

I have a platinum engagement ring, would a palladium wedding ring be suitable?

Does palladium look like platinum or is it duller?

Many Thanks

They're both from the same family, so look the same and can be worn together.

You might find the palladium ring to be lighter (in weight).

PrincessDonna2009

Well I bought mine from ARGOS and it costs me £24.99 bargain! it's a 9ct Gold plain wedding band (it is not marked on the inside as some of there 9ct gold rings aren't) but it looks beautiful and I am happy with it. My O/H has ordered his from Amazon, from a proper jewellery's trading on there and he got a 18ct gold plain wedding band (stamped inside) for £34! bargain!

Hope you decide soon, 9ct gold is a strong gold! I think the more then carat the softer it becomes and less hardwearing!

Donna x