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Your engagement ring isn’t the only special piece of jewelry you’ll be wearing on your big day—your wedding band should be just as unique. But long gone are the days of sleek and simple gold rings; now, there are plenty of ways to make your mark with your bridal band. After all, while the engagement ring represents a promise, the wedding ring really seals the deal. When it comes to finding a unique wedding ring, it’s important to consider details that are a bit out of the box. “The nature of custom or one of a kind is that the metal, gemstone, and style options could be anything within the realm of possibility,” says jewelry designer Michelle Fantaci, who we spoke to along with Costanté founder Connie Hung. “It’s a beautiful thing to celebrate your personal love story with a ring that is unique and meaningful to you.”
Meet the Expert
- Michelle Fantaci is an expert jewelry designer and artisan who is the owner of Michelle Fantaci Fine Jewelry based in New York City.
- A self-taught jewelry designer, Connie Hung is the founder and creative director of Costanté.
Aside from multiple metal options or even two-toned bands, a unique wedding ring design may utilize various shapes, such as hexagons or squares. According to Fantaci, she has used trillions, trapezoids, and hexagons in original custom designs, but some clients have opted for traditional emerald or round cuts as well. As for the price tag, it really depends on a variety of factors. However, there are options for every couple and their individual budget. “Wedding bands can start at $500 for a simple 14k gold band and go upward of $50,000 for full Gemstone Institute of America–certified diamond eternity bands,” says Connie Hung.
There are several design details that can truly set your wedding ring apart. Here are a few to consider:
- Brushed or two-toned metals
- Unique shapes
- Engravings or etchings
- Distinctive gemstones.
Ultimately, it’s all about finding combinations you love to make your wedding jewelry feel one of a kind. Here are 56 options to get you started.
What to Look for When Choosing a Unique Wedding Ring
Metal
When it comes to your wedding band, it all comes down to the metal. While the first choice that comes to mind may be the selection between rose, white, or yellow gold, there are other unique ways to transform your piece into one that truly connects to you and your partner.
Consider incorporating an engraving to create a sentimental value. “The most common engravings we see are usually dates and initials. The most unique are those who create a design or logo to be engraved into the piece,” says Hung. Another way to elevate your look is to apply a striking finish. “Instead of the classic high-gloss finish, we recommend implementing a satin finish for a vintage look. For those who want to create a more industrial look, a matte finish definitely gives the ring more of an edge,” Hung states.
Stone
Be intentional about the stones you select for your band, as this could very well become the focal point that determines the ultimate look. “Many times, those who want a unique engagement ring or wedding band make the choice of adding color through different gemstones,” says Hung. “For those who still want to achieve a royal luxury feeling and look, emeralds and sapphires are the most suiting.”
Whether you select a traditional white diamond, a sophisticated emerald or sapphire stone, or any other unexpected colored gem, there’s a variety of ways to utilize stones and their cuts to create your own one-of-a-kind piece.
Style
There’s no right or wrong way to design your wedding band. However, there’s no doubt that there are reoccurring trends that continue to present themselves as tried-and-true favorites.
“In 2020, we began to see an increase in trends of rose gold engagement rings and wedding bands, a metal not as widely popular in the past. And as the vintage trend continues, we’ve seen an increase of customers choosing 18k gold over 14k for a bolder gold color,” informs Hung. Whether you decide to go for something a little more understated or a little more bold, here is your opportunity to exhibit your personal style.
FAQs
- What are the most common wedding band styles? “A simple and dainty half-diamond pavé band. It is understandably popular because it pairs easily with any engagement ring and is perfect for everyday wear on their own,” explains Hung.
- How can I ensure that my engagement ring doesn’t clash with my unique wedding band? “For women, we actually don’t get many requests for plain silver or gold wedding bands. The simple gold cigars tend to be reserved for men,” Hung says. “Another wedding band style that is less common, but I am a huge fan of, is the tilted marquise. This is a full eternity band with marquise diamonds laying diagonally on top of each other instead of standing vertically or laying horizontally.”
- How can I ensure that my engagement ring doesn’t clash with my unique wedding band? “We recommend using the same designer and having them designed together,” Hung suggests. “Bring your engagement ring in when designing the wedding band, so you can ensure the wedding band can sit flush. If planning to wear as a pair, we don’t recommend choosing a large variety of cuts.”
- What is an inexpensive way to make my wedding ring look unique? “Semiprecious stones, such as morganite and amethyst, are great inexpensive alternatives,” recommends Hung.