Wedding Rings & Bands: The Comprehensive Guide

Wedding rings accompany you for a lifetime – so the choice should be made with equal care. The most important decisions revolve around material and gold alloy (585 or 750 gold), the gold color (yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold), the width of the ring, a possible engraving, and of course the right size. This guide takes you step by step through each question so that your wedding ring fits you perfectly in the end.

The terms are often mixed up. Marriage rings and wedding rings mean the same thing: the pair of rings exchanged at the wedding. The engagement ring, on the other hand, is given at the marriage proposal and traditionally features a stone – often a solitaire. Many couples later wear both rings together. What’s most important is that material, color, and style match each other and fit your everyday life.

The number in the stamp indicates the pure gold content. 585 gold corresponds to 14 karats and consists of 58.5% fine gold; 750 gold corresponds to 18 karats with 75% fine gold. Both are high quality – the difference lies in gold content, color, and hardness.

• 585 gold (14 karat): slightly harder, making it very suitable for everyday wear and more scratch-resistant – ideal for a ring you wear daily. Also more affordable.
• 750 gold (18 karat): higher gold content, more intense gold color, somewhat softer, and more expensive.

For wedding rings worn every day, 585 gold is a particularly practical choice. The 585 gold at Splendido Jewelry is nickel-free and therefore skin-friendly – and it does not tarnish. You can read more details in our guide to 585 gold.

The gold color is created by the mixed-in metals. It is the most personal decision when choosing a wedding ring:

• Yellow gold – the timeless classic with a warm tone. Suits almost every skin tone and remains fashionable for decades.
• White gold – cool and bright, a modern alternative. White gold is usually rhodium-plated, which creates the radiant white shine.
• Rose gold – shimmering rose due to a higher copper content, warm and romantic. Especially popular for wedding rings with an individual touch.

A practical tip: choose the gold color so that it matches your other jewelry – for example, necklaces or an engagement ring. If you like white gold, you’ll find inspiration in our white gold necklaces. By the way, two colors can also be combined: you wear yellow gold, your partner white gold – whatever you like is allowed.

The ring width determines the character of the wedding ring. Narrow bands (about 2-3 mm) appear light and elegant, wider bands (4 mm and more) make a clear statement. As a rule of thumb: slender fingers often suit narrower rings, while stronger hands can carry wider ones. The profile also plays a role – from flat to domed (curved outward) to a fine surface texture like in the 585 yellow gold band ring with cord texture. You can find simple bands in our selection of gold rings without stones.

An engraving makes the wedding ring unique. Popular choices are the wedding date, the partner’s initials, a short word, or a symbol on the inside of the ring. Keep in mind: the wider the band, the more space there is for longer engravings. For very narrow rings, a short inscription is recommended. Whether engraving is possible depends on the individual piece – if in doubt, just ask our customer service, which responds within 24 hours.

Fit is especially important for the wedding ring because it should sit comfortably for a long time. It’s best to measure in the evening when fingers are slightly swollen and at normal temperature – fingers shrink in the cold. A ring should slide over the knuckle with some resistance and not slip off on its own.

1. Measure a well-fitting ring: determine the inner diameter in millimeters.
2. Alternatively, wrap a strip of paper around the finger and measure the circumference.
3. When in doubt, choose the larger of two sizes – a ring that’s too tight is hard to wear.

A complete guide with a table can be found in our guide Determining Ring Size.

One of the most common questions: on which hand do you wear the wedding ring? It depends on the country and tradition. In Austria and Germany, the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the right hand, on the ring finger. In many other countries – for example, in large parts of the English-speaking world – the left hand is customary. The engagement ring is often worn on the left in Austria, so after the wedding both rings have their place. Ultimately, there is no fixed rule: wear your ring where it feels right for you.

The price of a wedding ring mainly depends on the gold alloy (585 or 750), the gold color, the width, and the weight of the ring – as well as whether a stone is set. A wider 750 band requires more material and therefore costs more than a narrow 585 ring. Our advice: first decide how the ring should look in everyday life, then choose within that framework. A high-quality, everyday-suitable 585 gold band is often the more sensible investment than a particularly wide ring that gets in the way daily.

Splendido Jewelry does not offer ready-made marriage ring sets, but carefully selected, handpicked gold rings made of genuine 585 gold from Italian goldsmiths – from simple bands to solitaires. If you’re looking for a gift related to weddings or proposals, it’s worth taking a look at our selection for weddings and for engagements. At Splendido Jewelry, you enjoy free shipping and returns as well as a 30-day return policy – so you can decide at your leisure.

Frequently Asked Questions