Diamond wedding bands - what to look for

Diamonds really do say ‘forever’, but it shouldn’t take you nearly that long to buy the perfect diamond wedding band. Before you hand over your money, make sure that you have had a really thorough look around at what is available, as your wedding band should be on your finger for life. A diamond wedding band is far more costly than a plain wedding ring, so this makes it even more vital for you to do your research prior to purchase.

There are a variety of places you could buy your wedding band, but the most common one is the local jeweller. There are some very reputable chains of jewellers that have a large range of different styles of diamond wedding band for you to select from. They include all the most popular types, and they may be able to create bespoke designs if you have something particular in mind. Don’t forget to take any pictures or sketches you may have of your ideal ring so you can help the jeweller provide you with a perfect match.

If you are after something a bit different, or more inspiration, consider visiting antique shops and fairs to find your ring. This will give you access to period style jewellery, and help create the romance of an heirloom. Concentrate on shops or fairs that specialise in gem stones rather than general antiquities, and try to do as much research as you can on the ‘Four Cs’ of diamonds — the cut, clarity, colour and carat. Don’t commit to a purchase unless you feel totally comfortable with the sales people. Try to build rapport, and ask as many questions as you can think of. Remember - if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

There are many online jewellers now, many of which offer diamond wedding bands. Some sites are just for browsing. Visit Cartier, Tiffany and Bulgari websites to ‘window shop’ and discover what the rich and famous will be wearing from their diamond wedding band collections. Other sites allow you to make online purchases, but a diamond is not something that is produced on a factory line, so you would be best seeing your jewellery before purchasing. If the vendor is located in America, Canada or the UK, make sure he or she is a member of an approved Gemmological Association.

As an alternative to purchasing a diamond wedding band, you may be lucky enough to have inherited something suitable. If you have an heirloom such as an engagement ring or diamond necklace, consider asking a jeweller to remove the diamonds and reset them for you in your perfect wedding band.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Diamond Wedding Bands