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27th February 2024

Ladies Wedding Rings: Frequently Asked Questions

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Our handy rundown of your most burning questions about ladies wedding rings. From price, to style, to the traditions behind them.

ladies wedding rings
Wedding band with twist detail

How much should  ladies wedding rings cost?

Ladies wedding rings tend to cost slightly more than men’s on average. The main reason for this is that ladies rings are almost always made from precious metal, so they can match the engagement ring. This is important because different metals have different densities, even different karats of gold. You want to ensure that you aren’t putting a harder metal next to your engagement ring which might damage the ring, or the prongs that hold your diamond in place.

However, if both partners opt for precious metal then often the men’s ring will be higher in price. This is because men usually buy wedding bands of a larger thickness and weight. In general, ladies wedding rings range from 2mm-4mm in width, while men tend to opt for 4mm and above.

The average price that our customers paid for a ladies shaped wedding ring in 2023 was £497.21, while the average for plain wedding bands was £285.29.

ladies wedding rings
Brilliant cut full eternity ring

What is the average cost of a wedding ring in the UK?

In the UK, the average spend on wedding rings is around £1000 per couple. This does not include the price of engagement rings, or other wedding jewellery.
Our customers enjoy our competitive prices, so on average they spend £319.15 per ring. That’s a saving of £361.70 per couple!

Do you wear your engagement ring on your wedding day?

There are no hard and fast rules for this, so the choice is up to personal preference. Some people like to switch their engagement ring on to their right hand for the ceremony to ensure a smooth exchange of wedding rings. This gives you the best of both worlds, and means you can easily switch your engagement ring back after the ceremony if you have chosen a shaped wedding ring that looks best with the engagement ring.
Some people prefer to keep their hands bare for their wedding day, to allow their wedding ring to really shine. Whichever choice you make, it’s all down to what makes you feel good!

How much should a husband spend on a wedding ring?

There is an outdated idea that an engagement ring should cost 3x a man’s salary. Thank goodness nobody takes notice of this kind of tradition anymore, and people tend to spend what they are comfortable with.
There are no traditions surrounding how much you should spend on a wedding ring. Not only that, but there’s also no rule stating that your husband needs to buy it for you. Some couples choose to buy each other’s wedding rings as a romantic gift, but this is not expected.
Usually your wedding ring budget will be a portion of your overall wedding budget and can be divided between you depending on your needs and style. The only rules you should stick to are not spending beyond your means, and choosing rings that fit with your style and lifestyle.

What is a good budget for a ring?

A good budget for a wedding ring is what you can afford. It’s really that simple!
However, if you have something specific in mind that you would like to save up for, the average prices of rings in each major metal are as follows:
Platinum: £653.58
9ct yellow Gold: £289.63
18ct yellow Gold: £481.49
9ct white Gold: £351.68
18ct white Gold: £612.72
9ct rose Gold: £279.73
18ct rose Gold: £436.13
Palladium: £802.62
Titanium: £149.31
Zirconium: £179.70
Steel: £91.21
Silver: £91.47

What is the best size wedding ring for a woman?

There is no one size fits all when it comes to wedding rings. The anatomy of hands is a fascinating (and frustrating) thing, which means that different wedding bands will suit different fingers. In general, we sell the majority of ladies wedding rings in 2mm-4mm widths. 2mm-2.5mm is a common width of an engagement ring shank, and many women prefer to match the thickness of the two bands.
There are many kinds of women, each with their own unique style. Plenty of our female customers come in searching for an extra wide band to compliment their long fingers. It’s all about how it feels on your hand, and how it fits in with the rest of your jewellery.
If you aren’t sure what will suit you, you may wish to use our wedding ring sample service to try some options at home before committing.

How do I choose a woman’s wedding ring?

Choosing any kind of wedding ring is a huge decision. After all, it’s going to be on your hand forever! When looking at ladies wedding rings, you also have to take into account the engagement ring, and the personal style of the wearer. Your needs and tastes will always vary, but everyone can keep these top tips in mind:
1. Match your metals to avoid damage
2. A low profile centre stone in your engagement ring means you’re more likely to need a shaped to fit wedding ring
3. Only choose a shaped wedding ring if you plan to wear your engagement ring every day, otherwise opt for a straight band and swap your engagement ring to your right hand after your big day
4.  Don’t feel pressured to choose something traditional if you aren’t a traditional person
5. Don’t over stretch your budget, we can find you something perfect that fits with what you want to spend