My Wedding Journal: Hunt for Wedding Rings

In searching for the right wedding ring, you have to put into consideration some certain factors like:

1. Budget
   Initially we opted for something around 4- 5K PHP , and ended up buying the 12K PHP wedding rings. It is a decision we mutually made since we wanted rings we would really like to wear everyday and not some ring for the occasion only. We definitely had to cut down our budget on some other stuff for the wedding because of this. It is worth it though!
2. Design
   Most rings we looked at are designed with a stone for the bride and a simple band for the groom. We both wanted matching rings. We also are keen into looking at designs which are two-toned (combination of yellow gold & white gold).There are so many designs to choose from and it takes an effort to actually go through the stores and fit the rings yourselves. I am lucky that my fingers looks nice with any ring I choose, but my groom, on the other hand, has certain designs which look good on his finger. So it is essential to go and try the rings at the jewelry stores.
3. Jewelry Metals
   Gold
   The carat is the gold content of the metal. The carat measures the proportion of pure gold mixed with other metal alloy to make up the final metal. The higher the proportion of gold used in the final metal, the more valuable and expensive the metal will be. So all other things being the same, an 18kt ring will be more expensive than a 14kt ring and a 14kt ring will be more expensive than a 9kt ring.When trying to decide between the gold carat types there are three things to consider.
   1. The metals performance with every day wear
   2. The difference in color between the 9kt, 14kt and 18kt gold
   3. The difference in price between the gold carats.

   White Gold
   White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium.Traditionally nickel was used in white gold, however, nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today as nickel can cause reactions with some people. We do not use nickel in our white gold

   When white gold rings are new they can be coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white color.

   The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look more white. The natural color of white gold is actually a light grey color. The rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewelers are able to rhodium plate jewelry for a cost effective price.

   Platinum
   Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold does.

   Platinum is very dense and heavy metal, so a platinum ring will feel heavier than an 18kt gold ring.

   Platinum is, however, significantly more expensive than gold. With all other things being the same, a platinum ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring.

4. Personality
   It is usually disregarded, but for me, choosing the right wedding ring directly involves one’s personality. When we were looking for our wedding rings, we already know that we wanted something that we could wear everyday. We also are considering the fact that in the Philippines, crime is quite high, and we don’t want any jewelry that could catch a robber’s attention. These simple facts shows our practical personality which affected our choice of wedding rings.

Our Wedding Rings: We had our rings custom-made by a jewelry maker in Bulacan named ERNIE-LYNN JEWELRY. The design is inspired from an ad in Singapore while I was there. We want the ring to be simple and wearable everyday, yet stylishly elegant when looked at up close. It is made of 14kt gold and engraved within with our names. We love it!

Ring specification includes:
14 kt Yellow Gold
Male ring size: 7 3/4
Female ring size: 6
Price range: 12K PHP
Production time: 10 days

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All “My Wedding Journal” blogs are articles, tips, and real-life planning details written and compiled in my authentic wedding journal which I used prior to my wedding day last April 6, 2011.