Choosing wedding rings

According to Jewish law, the groom sanctifies the bride under the canopy with a wedding ring. , and in fact the ring itself should be as simple as possible. The goal is to prevent the ring from stealing the focus from the true intention of the ceremony, and to symbolize the fact that this is not a material ceremony, but primarily a spiritual and sacred ceremony, the purpose of which is to establish the love between the couple. For the same reason, the ring must be worth at least one penny (i.e. 5 agorat), and the groom must purchase it with his own money. Although wedding rings cost much more today, the goal is to allow anyone of any economic status to purchase the ring. However, even alongside all the requirements of the halacha, wedding rings can still be found in a wide range of designs and styles, and choosing the right ring can sometimes be a particularly confusing task. Here are some important parameters to consider before you approach choosing the ring that you will wear on your finger for the next few decades. :

form

First and foremost, you need to decide on your preferred shape. Halacha requires that the ring itself be round and closed, as a symbol of completeness and a strong bond between the couple. However, there are quite a few designs and styles from which you can choose. Round wedding rings can also come in the shape of a drop and give a special touch to the design, but still maintain the complete shape as required. .

Wedding rings are made in varying thicknesses and widths, with a different ring suitable for each hand. The width is actually a function of the area of the finger that will be covered by the ring. In general, a relatively wide ring will suit longer, thinner fingers, and a thin ring will suit shorter fingers, but this is not a blanket rule, and the choice is usually made based on personal taste. Most wedding rings for women are 2 mm to 4 mm wide and most wedding rings for men are 4 mm to 7 mm wide. However, the choice of width will also be made while taking into account other elements such as: engravings or the addition of delicate decorations, the lifespan of the ring, and more. Rings under 2 mm will be less durable after wear and polishing, while wider rings will maintain their integrity over time. .

The thickness parameter of a wedding ring usually refers to the thickness of the ring wall. Since wedding rings should last on the finger for years, the minimum thickness of the ring should be 1.8 mm, with less than that the ring can bend with any contact .

Another consideration when choosing the shape of the ring is the profile, or what is called the outer shape of the ring. Wedding rings can be flat on top, rounded, pointed, or even completely round on top. The outer profile of the ring can be chosen according to personal preference, of course, and some women will choose to match the profile to their engagement ring. .

metal

After you have chosen the shape and design of the ring, you now need to choose the metal from which the ring will be made. There are several types of precious metals used to make wedding rings. :

Platinum - a pure, rare, and timeless material that does not tarnish or fade over time because its natural color is bright. It is a white metal, similar to plated white gold, which does not require special coating, and therefore will retain its color over time, making platinum an especially popular option when choosing wedding rings. The ring itself usually contains 95% platinum, and only 5% of other precious metals, and is slightly heavier than coins made of gold. .

Gold - Wedding rings will usually be made of 18 karat gold, meaning 75% pure gold and 25% other precious metals. Gold is a relatively soft metal, so creating and molding jewelry from pure gold is particularly problematic. 18 karat includes a high percentage of gold within the ring, with the other metals combined in the alloy (metal show), giving the ring its strength and final hue. Wedding rings made of gold come in three different colors: white gold, yellow gold and pink gold (rose gold). Wedding rings made of white gold undergo an additional process to improve the color, and are plated with a white metal called rhodium, in order to hide the yellowish hue created by the natural color of the gold. It is important to note that this is a coating that wears off over time, and should be replaced every two years or so, in order to maintain optimal clarity. Yellow and rose gold rings are not plated because the metal content creates the color. Of course, you can purchase wedding rings with a lower gold purity than 18 karats, but it is important to note that they may be more fragile, crack and wear over time. There is no doubt that a high percentage of gold in the ring will make it last longer and you can enjoy it for years to come. .

Although the halakhic law requires that the wedding ring be made entirely of the same material, for those of you who wish to introduce a slightly different design and combine different shades of color, the three-tone gold option is an excellent option that meets the halakhic requirement, but allows for design freedom. .

Alternative metals - In recent years, titanium and zirconium have also gained momentum in the world of wedding rings, mainly due to their low price. Titanium is a light but strong metal with a dark gray hue - often described as rubbery gray. Zirconium is a metal with similar properties to titanium, with exposure of the metal to high temperatures actually creating a blackened surface. It is important to note that while these are relatively inexpensive options compared to other metals, these rings do not allow for resizing when necessary, nor do they allow for repair in most cases. .

Finger size

Choosing the size of a wedding ring is a critical and important parameter. Since the ring is going to serve you for quite a few years, it is important that in addition to beauty and design, it is also very comfortable, and almost imperceptible. Wedding rings should sit snugly on the finger but comfortably, and ideally they should slide easily on the finger, but create slight resistance when removed. It is important to remember that the size of our finger can change during the day and as a result of various parameters such as physical activity or the weather, for example. Therefore, it is important to choose a ring that will not easily slip off the finger when its size is minimal (usually in cold weather), but will slide easily and comfortably when the fingers are slightly swollen (usually in warmer weather). .

Upgrades and additions

Many couples choose to purchase matching wedding rings . In this case, it is recommended to purchase standard and simpler models that can fit both a man's and a woman's hand. There is no doubt that the choice here is entirely based on personal taste, and it is important to purchase rings made of quality materials in this case. Not many places offer matching wedding rings, so if you find a model that you both like, it is worth buying rings that will last a lifetime. .

Additionally, many couples choose to upgrade their ring after the ceremony, and have the anniversary date engraved on the back of the ring itself. This is a nice gesture that can be a special upgrade, and make the ring personal and tailored to you. .