How much should you spend on a wedding ring?

Firstly, congratulations on your engagement! It’s time to start planning your wedding and the rest of your lives together. While there’s plenty of guidance on how much to spend on an engagement ring, many of us ask how much should you spend on your wedding rings? And in some cases it's a question of who buys them? 

Our guide explains how much to spend on your wedding rings and how to choose the best wedding ring for your budget. 

What is the average cost of wedding rings in the UK?

Wedding ring prices can really vary depending on the metal type you choose and if you want diamond set wedding rings. In the UK most couples spend between £500-2000 on their wedding rings. The overall cost of your wedding rings will depend on a number of factors. 

What affects the cost of wedding rings?

Metal type

The metal type and weight will affect the price of your wedding rings. It might surprise you that a men’s wedding ring can be more expensive than the ladies ring, even if the ladies wedding ring is a diamond band! This is because a man’s ring is usually thicker, heavier, and a larger finger size meaning more gold or platinum needs to be used than in a ladies ring and this can sometimes be at a higher cost than diamonds in a ladies wedding ring.

Important Tip: You must match the wedding ring metal to the engagement ring metal as any rings you wear together on the same finger the rings will rub together and the softer metal will wear away against a more dense metal so always check your engagement ring metal first and match them if you are wearing them together on the same finger: 

The most common metals used for wedding rings include the following, 

• 9k Gold: 9k gold is pure gold mixed with other alloys. If you’re choosing gold for your wedding ring, 9k is the hardest wearing and most durable. At 9k this material contains the lowest amount of pure gold content compared with the mix of other metals, meaning just over a 3rd of the metal is gold, and is hallmarked 375/1000 to be 9k gold. Using less gold means it is the more affordable gold option.
• 18k Gold: 18k gold contains a much higher gold content with fewer alloys mixed in the metal and is hallmarked 750/1000. Because of this amount of gold in the mix, meaning three quarters of the ring is made of gold and the ring develops a richer, more vibrant yellow colour, which is very desirable. The higher level of gold content means the ring will be more valuable over time. 
• Platinum: Platinum is a premium choice of material for your wedding ring, It is highly durable, scratch-resistant, hypoallergenic and does not require any maintenance. Compared with the white gold choice many of our customers opt for Platinum instead to avoid the cost of the regular maintenance needed as white gold will need to have the rhodium coating replaced regularly to keep its pristine white shine. 

 

Plain band or diamond or gemstone ring

A plain wedding band will usually cost less than a diamond band, and other features such as an engraving, filigree or milgrain edging can add to the overall cost.

If you’re choosing a diamond wedding ring, you’ll need to consider whether you want to feature lab-grown or natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are the more affordable option, whereas natural diamonds are more of a long-term investment. As they are physically and chemically the same as natural diamonds, you can wear a natural diamond engagement ring with a lab-grown diamond wedding ring, or vice-versa if you choose to, they will always match well.

Diamond Rings will vary in price based on the following considerations, 

• Carat – carat describes the weight of a diamond. Therefore, the heavier (and larger) the diamond, the more expensive the ring.
• Clarity – the fewer the visible blemishes and inclusions inside the diamond, the clearer the diamond and the greater the clarity, so this will also affect the cost.
• Colour – colourless diamonds are usually more expensive than diamonds that are slightly tinted with colour. So bear this in mind when budgeting for your wedding ring(s).

Who buys the wedding rings?

There are no set rules for who is supposed to buy the wedding rings. It depends on various factors, such as culture and budget. For some couples, it might be a nice touch for the bride and groom to buy each other’s rings as a gift, or to just split the cost of both rings from their joint wedding fund. 

Traditionally, the groom buys the bride’s engagement and wedding ring, and then the bride has the opportunity to buy the groom’s wedding ring in return. Typically, purchasing wedding rings is an activity that is done together. In many cultures the parents of the groom or bride purchase the wedding rings for them as a wedding gift or pass wedding rings from the previous generation of the family down to them to wear as their wedding rings or as a gift to wear them additionally or as a keepsake. 

His & Hers Wedding Rings

Here at Shining Diamonds, we offer a wide range of wedding rings for both men and women, with options to create a matching set. With a wide selection of designs to choose from, our aim is to find the perfect rings for you and your partner, no matter your style or budget.

Women’s Wedding Rings

Our stunning range of women’s wedding rings are designed to accommodate all personalities and price points. Whether you prefer a simple traditional wedding band, or a minimal style with a twist, a shaped or dipped wedding ring or an elaborate diamond set style, we will help you find the perfect symbol of your love. Ensuring your wedding ring sits perfectly next to your engagement ring on the finger creating the perfect marital set you’ve been dreaming of. 

Traditional Wedding Rings

 

One of the most common choices for wedding rings which always compliment a solitaire or trilogy engagement ring is a traditional plain wedding ring. The most popular choice being the traditional wedding ring in 2mm or 2.5mm which tucks in nicely next to the engagement ring for the perfect set. If your engagement ring has more height to the band then consider the D shape option which has been a traditional favourite for decades, particularly in yellow gold, and for all brides to be that want the wedding ring a bit wider than the engagement ring, consider a 3mm or 4mm width to stand out more on a wider, slight court style wedding ring, this allows the engagement ring to sit on top of wedding ring on the finger proudly, whilst you will still be able to see clearly you have two rings on as this adds more width to the set.

 

Diamond Wedding Rings

Our extensive range of diamond wedding rings can make it daunting to know where to start, one of the first decisions is to see if you need a dipped shaped wedding ring or if any wedding ring design will sit flush next to your engagement ring. If you can sit any wedding ring with it you have so much choice to start with. If your engagement ring has a diamond shoulder set we will show you the option for the matching diamond set wedding ring to create a bridal set, and you can compare this with some alternate diamond ring styles from bezel set, channel set, grain set and pave there are plenty of options to choose from and compare on the finger next to your engagement ring. 

Designer wedding rings

Our extensive range of luxurious diamond designer rings gives you the advantage to choose a stand out wedding ring that everyone will notice and compliment the engagement ring beautifully. Choose a channel set designer to sit flush next to the engagement ring nicely. Designer wedding rings always sit well with a solitaire engagement ring but try a few with any style and see what you prefer. 

 

 Shaped Wedding Rings

Our shaped wedding rings range from plain shaped styles to diamond detailed designs and wishbone rings. All designed to fit around various shaped engagement rings and add that beautiful detail to the set. Try a few different shaped wedding rings on and decide what works best for you, a unique floral shaped wedding ring, a wishbone or a classic curved diamond wedding ring, you decide the perfect fit for you.

 

Men’s wedding rings

Our extensive range of men’s wedding rings accommodates all designs and budgets. From classic plain bands to diamond set rings, we have something to suit your everyday style.

Traditional Wedding Rings

The classic and traditional choice for men’s wedding rings are the D shape or traditional court wedding ring, usually the widths range from 4mm-6mm as the most popular choices and this can really depend on your finger size as the widths look different on a slimmer finger.  If you’re looking for a plain wedding ring but with a little more detail why not opt for a bevelled edge or a slight court which sits comfortably on the finger and stands out for a classic wedding ring you will love for all the years to come.

Diamond Wedding Rings 

Men’s diamond wedding rings have grown in popularity in recent years. Our range showcases different diamond shapes into our men’s wedding rings including round cut, princess cut and baguette cut shapes. These are a variety of bezel set or channel set diamonds discreetly set inside the wedding ring giving a smooth rub over feel making them comfortable and practical for daily wear whilst keeping the diamond detailing minimal and intricate, adding that extra detail to a unique wedding ring that you have been looking for. 

 

Two Tone Wedding Rings

Trying to choose between yellow gold and white gold for your wedding rings, why not have the best of both worlds? Men’s two tone wedding rings are very popular at the moment and we have a variety of different styles and patterns including classic options you will be sure to love for a lifetime and modern designs which will stand out as a unique wedding ring. With a two tone design you can rest assured it will match with any other accessories in any other metal and always compliment a watch or pair of cufflinks nicely on the big day.

 

Patterned Wedding Rings

Men’s wedding ring patterns have changed over the years, with more matt and satin finishes becoming popular as men tend to choose the less shiny patterns for their wedding rings nowadays. You can choose a modern detailed pattern or a minimal edging or simplistic design from the wide selection of different styles and see which metal you prefer for your perfect wedding ring with that little something different to make it stand out against other plain wedding rings. 

 

How can Shining Diamonds help?

Need more help and advice choosing your perfect wedding rings? Or struggling to get your finger size correct and want to get measured properly by your jewellers? Well don’t worry, Shining Diamonds has you covered, simply book an appointment at any of our stores and our helpful team will be happy to advise and show you the best options from your chosen range or help you navigate your way through the different options until you find the perfect pair for the big day.