YOUR ESSENTIAL
WEDDING RING BUYERS GUIDE
This guide will help you discover what to look for in your dream wedding ring. At BWR-London, we specialise in tailor-made, bespoke designs. With our help, you can choose the perfect band, metal, colour, pattern, engraving, diamonds & gemstones, and more. Our rings come in various shapes and sizes, each one completely customisable so you can have a truly bespoke ring so stunning you’ll treasure it for a lifetime.
BWR-London has traditional plain rings starting at under £150, diamond bands starting at £350 and a very special shaped to fit and design service. We can advise on the best designs for your tastes and whatever your budget, we always recommend looking for quality. The information you need to make the perfect choice first time can be found in this essential buyer’s guide.
If you would like to see our ring types please follow the link https://BWR-London.co.uk
To see some of the rings we’ve made for clients https://BWR-London.co.uk/portfolio
To check out our weekly blog covering all aspects of planning a wedding https://BWR-London.co.uk/blog
Enjoy reading and we look forward to hearing from you!
All the best,
Philip
BWR-London
+44 (0) 207 965 7329
Your essential wedding Ring buyer’s guide 1Getting the right finger size for your ring is essential. If you’re not sure of your size don’t worry, we can help. Contact us and we’ll send you a free finger sizer in the post. You can keep this and check both you and your partners finger sizes at various times and various temperatures. If you already have an engagement ring that fits, it’s still worth checking your size as we often find a slight difference in the size of the wedding band.
The weight of your wedding ring is the way the trade describe the thickness. Even the simplest gold band can come in a variety of weights. Here at BWR-London we create bespoke designs based on what you need. Nearly all of our traditional plain and patterned rings come in 5 weights or thicknesses. Extra Light, Light, Medium, Heavy and extra heavy. You can see the thickness of the 3 most popular in the picture below.
If you’re considering a plain band then check out our website page
Plain Rings Archives - Bespoke Wedding Rings London (bwr-london.co.uk)
Patterned rings generally need thicker bands, our hand cut and laser cut patterns are only suitable for medium weight rings or heavier. Bands also need to be thick enough to support diamonds and gemstones where required. As a rule the larger the diamonds, the thicker the ring has to be.
At BWR-London we offer rings in a range of widths. We can accommodate widths of 1mm to 10mm and larger. So, whatever width, let’s find your ideal ring together. You can see the most popular widths in the picture below.
For a flourish of individuality we can hand engrave a pattern or finish on to the face of a plain ring, You can see some of our patterned rings at Patterned Rings - Bespoke Wedding Rings London (bwr-london.co.uk) and remember, as we make each ring to your specification we can mix and match elements from each pattern.
Some examples of hand engraved patterns
For more intricate designs we can Laser engrave a pattern. If you have specific ideas for a design, we can usually create the artwork and transfer your own design onto the ring. We have some standard designs which you can see here: Laser Patterned Rings - Bespoke Wedding Rings London (bwr-london.co.uk)
some examples of laser engraved patterns
We can generally engrave the inside of your wedding ring to add a beautiful, personal touch. Whether you’d like a date, little message, or symbol as a reminder of your special commitment, we can help. Simply get in touch and let us know what you’re looking for.
The shape of your wedding ring adds to its comfort and elegance. If you wear an engagement ring, it’s important to make sure both of your rings look beautiful together and depending on the shape of your engagement ring matching that and your wedding ring is a good place to start.
A wedding ring profile is the shape of the ring, as seen from its cross section. If you cut the ring down the middle, it’s the shape you would see inside. There are four main types of profile available, as listed below..
D-shaped rings are a very popular and long established style. The ring is beautifully curved on the outside and flat on the inside, each face meeting at a narrow edge. These rings often sit well with engagement rings, as the wedding ring’s edges can slip under the engagement ring stone.
Court-shaped wedding rings or comfort fit as they are sometimes known are rounded on the face and slightly rounded on the inside. They are typically more comfortable to wear and easier to get on and off. Although similar to a D-shape they look much chunkier as they have a much thicker flat edge.
Flat court shape rings are Flat on the outer face and softly curved on the inside. It’s a classic style for men’s rings and patterned rings, They are comfortable to wear and look chunky as they have a thick edge.
These rings are flat both inside and out. This shape looks fantastic on plain and patterned rings. Whether you opt for bold and chunky or sleek and elegant, the flat shape will bring out your bespoke designs.
The metal you choose for your wedding ring is a big factor in its overall look. Each metal can create a stunning wedding ring and has its own benefits. All precious metals carry a government hallmark declaring the quality and authenticity. In this section, you can find guidance about:
Remember, the metals of your wedding ring and engagement ring should match each other. This is important not just for how they look but also how they wear. Over time, your wedding ring and engagement ring will rub together. If you choose two different metals or two different carats of the same metal (higher carats are softer), the harder ring may wear down the softer ring.
Platinum is a lovely white colour and is often used in gem-set rings and men’s rings. It’s known for being durable and has 95% purity. This means it will be hard wearing and retain its beautiful colour without tarnishing.
Palladium is part of the platinum family and shares similar properties to platinum itself. Palladium doesn’t tarnish and has a very attractive gun metal grey hue which looks great on patterned rings. It’s a little lighter in weight than Platinum and so may be preferable for larger rings. It comes in two grades 950 which is 95% pure and 500 which is 50% pure this gives two price point options for the same ring
It’s thought that weddings rings can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians. They considered gold to be fit for royalty and crafted gorgeous pieces of jewellery in all manner of designs. Today, gold wedding rings are a popular traditional choice for men and women.
Gold purity is measured in carats (ct), not to be confused with how we measure the weight of diamonds (also carats ct). Pure gold is 24ct gold, but jewellery makers in the UK usually favour gold of 9ct and 18ct. This is because pure gold is very soft and very expensive and not particularly suitable for rings.
To make it more durable and suitable for rings gold is mixed or alloyed with other metals. So, 18ct gold is 18-parts pure gold and 6 parts other metals. 9ct gold is 9 parts pure gold and 15 parts other metals…and so on for other carats such as 14 and 22
Yellow gold is a beautiful and natural colour. As the carat increases, the purity increases and the yellow becomes richer. Yellow gold looks elegant with other jewellery of the same colour.
White gold has a luxurious sheen. It became popular in the 1920s and is very popular today particularly with ladies’ diamond engagement and wedding rings. White gold is a combination of yellow gold alloyed or mixed with other white metals and plated with another precious metal called Rhodium. It’s the plating that gives it a beautiful colour and lustre.
Rhodium is a very expensive silver-coloured metal from the platinum group that creates a polished-looking finish but it is only a very thin layer. Because of the chemicals our hands come into contact with on a daily basis, rhodium plating does wear away, in some cases after only a few months. This tends to reveal gold with a yellow hue that can look like it has tarnished and needs a polish. Polishing should not be done as it will just wear away more of the Rhodium plating. Rings should be re-plated as needed and will come out looking as good as new.
The attractive warm pink tones of rose gold make it a gorgeous alternative to yellow gold. The colour is created by combining yellow gold and copper. No plating is needed, meaning rose gold retains its colour throughout its life.
At BWR-London, we love making unique and exclusive wedding rings. Designing a ring with two or three colours creates a beautiful and eye-catching pattern. It also gives you the opportunity to personalise your ring design even further. If you can imagine it, we can probably make it. Just let us know what you have in mind! You can see an example of two coloured rings here Portfolio - Bespoke Wedding Rings London (bwr-london.co.uk)
Sterling silver is an affordable and attractive option for wedding rings. Because it’s a soft metal, silver works best with patterned and plain rings rather than gem-set designs. Silver does tarnish and can need regular polishing or we can plate it with Rhodium which will retain the shine for longer. If you’re unsure whether silver would work with your design, please get in touch and we can help you decide.
At BWR-London we only make wedding rings in hallmarked precious metals. This way, you can be sure of their quality. However, it is possible to make wedding rings from non-precious metals. Popular choices include cobalt, titanium, and tungsten. These metals have little residual value and do not carry a hallmark.
If you have an allergy that could affect your wedding ring choice, such as a nickel allergy, please let us know. We can explore your options together to find the perfect choice for your ring.
Engagement rings come in a variety of shapes some of which can be quite unusual and difficult to match with a straight wedding band. When this happens you may want to consider a shaped band. At BWR-London we can take an impression of your engagement ring and design a shaped to fit wedding ring from that. This means that in most cases you do not have to part with your engagement ring.
We will design your matching wedding ring on the computer and you will be able to see photorealistic pictures and make any changes you wish at that stage. Once you are happy with the design from the pictures we will send you a model of your ring in plastic so that you can try it on and see how it matches up with your engagement ring. Once again you can make changes at this point. Only when you are happy with everything do we proceed to make the ring.
You will then receive your totally bespoke, one of a kind ring. This process is not as expensive as you may imagine, for diamond rings we usually suggest a budget of £1,500 depending on the metal and number and size of diamonds required.
Know your finger size and check it over a period of time at different temperatures.
Know the metal and carat of your engagement ring and find a wedding band of a similar metal and carat
If you can look for engagement rings together, try them on with various wedding bands to see how they look and feel.
Give some thought to the choice of plain or diamond bands and if you would like any coloured gemstones.
For men, again know your finger size.
Consider what metal you would like. Do you wear other jewellery you would like to match up
Does your lifestyle or job involve things that may damage the ring or bring it into contact with chemicals for example a mechanic or engineer. If so consider metals that are more durable such as Palladium and Platinum
Consider what width of ring you would like. The standard width for mens bands is around 5 - 7mm
Consider also if you would like a plain band (high shine or with an applied finish such as brushed or hammered) or a patterned band and if you would like any diamonds or coloured gemstones.
Finally for both consider if you would like a special message engraved on the inside.
At BWR-London, we choose our diamonds for their sparkle and brilliance. We want your ring to be a piece that you treasure forever. If you require a specific size, quantity, colour, or shape of diamond, please let us know. Our diamond merchant can source what you need and our professional setters will mount the stone to display its full beauty.
Diamonds have been used in traditional engagement rings for centuries. Today, diamonds are the most popular choice for wedding rings. At BWR-London we’re proud of the high quality and stunning look of our diamond wedding rings.
Diamond wedding rings are extremely popular at the moment, and with good reason. Diamond-set rings add an extra layer of elegance and sparkle and really give your wedding ring that wow factor.
At BWR-London, we have a stunning range of diamond-set wedding bands for you to choose from and personalize. You can browse our collection of diamond bands here Diamond Rings - Bespoke Wedding Rings London (bwr-london.co.uk)
Diamonds are graded based on four categories: carat, colour, clarity and cut. These factors affect the price of a diamond and explain why a jeweller may value two similar looking diamonds at very different prices. At BWR-London our standard diamonds are G-H in colour and VS-SI in clarity and they look absolutely stunning when set into our rings.
Diamonds are measured not by their size but by their weight in carats. The heavier the diamond the greater the carat weight and the rarer and more valuable the diamond. In the trade 1ct is equal to 100 points. So, for example, a 1/2 carat diamond = 50 points or a .5 carat. At BWR-London we try to keep things simple so we will refer to a diamond by its decimal point measurement ie .5ct or .25ct
If a piece of jewellery has more than one diamond, the carat weight is often referred to by the total number of diamonds which is often the case on a diamond wedding band. This can be slightly misleading as the value of a diamond increases dramatically with its weight so given stones of the same quality a 1ct single diamond will be far more valuable than 10 x 0.1ct stones and a 10ct diamond will be far more valuable than 10 x 1ct stones.
Although we think of diamonds as colourless, they actually vary in colour. The GIA scale grades colour from D (least colour) to Z (a pale yellow). Grade D diamonds are the rarest and most valuable. Historically speaking, the most sought-after diamonds tended to be colourless (or almost colourless). But, beautifully coloured diamonds have become fashionable and can be very beautiful and very expensive. BWR-London can source any type or quality of diamond you choose, including black diamonds.
Very few diamonds are completely perfect. Those that are flawless are extremely valuable. This is why most wedding ring diamonds have at least a few natural flaws or marks in them (known as inclusions). But, these inclusions are generally so small that you can’t see them with the naked eye and they certainly don’t affect the beauty of the ring.
A diamond’s cut refers to its proportion and finish. This affects how well it interacts with light. A well-cut diamond allows light to reflected beautifully from each of its flat, polished sides (known as facets). It takes immense skill to transform a rough diamond into a gleaming, polished diamond and If it’s cut is wrong the diamond’s brilliance will be affected.
Diamonds come in an amazing variety of shapes. The most popular choice is the round brilliant cut diamond, with its delicate symmetry. But, there are many other styles to choose from.
At BWR-London, we specialise in beautiful bespoke rings, meaning we can almost always source the perfect diamond shape for you. Other popular examples include:
If you’re not sure which shape is for you, please get in touch and we can help you make your decision.
Diamonds are durable, but they are susceptible to oils, soaps, cosmetics, bleach, and chips or scratches. Because of this, we recommend removing any jewellery when using hand care products or undertaking manual work. It’s also a good idea to store diamond jewellery separately from other jewellery to avoid scratches.
BWR-London takes the issue of conflict diamonds very seriously. The origins of our diamonds are important to us, so we only sell products that come from reputable sources. We do not knowingly sell rings that include conflict diamonds.
Coloured gemstones come in a wide range of stunning colours. Including coloured gemstones in your ring design widens the scope for creativity and creates a unique wedding ring tailored to your tastes.
A gemstone is a naturally occurring mineral in crystal form. This is then adapted for use in jewellery. Gemstones have been treasured for their beauty and rarity since ancient times. Many civilisations believed gemstones were endowed with special powers and they are also historically linked to wealth and power. Today, gemstones are considered very valuable due to their rarity and can make a stunning addition to any wedding ring.
Gemstones are typically rated against the Mohs Scale, created in 1822 by Friedrich Mohs. The Mohs scale measures the hardness and scratch resistance of various gems. The hardest gemstones, diamonds, are rated at ten on the scale, while pearls are among the softest stones at three.
Mohs scale: 1 (softest) – 10 (hardest)
Gemstones vary in durability, but all need special care. It’s best to keep gemstone jewellery pieces in their own soft pouches or boxes to avoid scratches and knocks. Soaps, chemicals, and detergent cleaners are too harsh for gemstones and should be avoided.
Usually, you can clean gemstones by rinsing them with water before patting dry with a soft jewellery cloth.
Amethyst is a purple gemstone whose colour includes shades of lilac, violet, and mauve. This gemstone used to be as expensive as ruby until large deposits were discovered in Brazil in the 1800s. This has made amethyst one of the more affordable gemstones. It has distinctive markings (known as inclusions) which resemble feathers.
Mohs scale hardness: 7
Aquamarine is a blue gemstone that can be treated to enhance its sky or dark blue tones. Depending on the angle you view it from, aquamarine can also appear colourless. For this reason, it’s known as a two-tone stone.
Mohs scale hardness : 7.5
Cubic zirconia is a colourless, synthetic gemstone. It’s made to resemble a diamond (they are used to replicate diamonds in our display rings) but they are also available in almost any colour. Because they are manufactured stones, cubic zirconia do not have inclusions.
Mohs scale hardness: 8
Emerald is a timeless and classic choice. This vibrant green gemstone is oiled to strengthen it and enhance the colour. The most sought-after emeralds have a beautiful hue and good transparency.
Mohs scale hardness: 7.5
Natural morganite colours vary between pink, rose, and peach. Like aquamarine, morganite is diachronic (two-tone). This means you can see different colours in the stone if you look at it from different angles.
Mohs scale hardness: 7.5
Opals were used as far back as Roman times when they were known as 
Mohs scale hardness: 5.5-6.5
Onyx is a stunning and unique gemstone. It comes from the quartz family and is usually black or brown. Onyx can be traced back to ancient Egypt, when it was used in pottery. Today, the stone gives jewellery a minimalist look.
Mohs scale hardness: 7
Ruby is known to be a stunning red gemstone, but its colours range from dark pink to brown-red. Ruby is second to diamond for its hardwiring qualities and looks very elegant when set in wedding rings.
Mohs scale hardness: 9
Sapphire is the name given to any non-red gem in the corundum family. As such, it comes in many colours, including the very popular blue. Other popular colours are pink and yellow. Sapphires that aren’t blue are sometimes known as fancy sapphires.
Mohs scale hardness: 9
Tanzanite is named after Tanzania, where it was discovered in the 1960s. In its natural form, the stone is brown or clear but after heat treatment Tanzanite ranges from vibrant purple to a deep blue. Tanzanite is soft and should be protected from the sun to prevent discolouration.
Mohs scale hardness: 6.5
Topaz is a durable and extremely pretty stone. It most commonly comes in light blue, but can be found in a variety of other colours. Red is the rarest tone. Because it’s such a heard-wearing gemstone, Topaz is a good choice for use in rings.
Mohs scale hardness: 8
At BWR-London, we create bespoke wedding rings in beautiful designs. Every ring is carefully made to order, based on your specifications. You choose the perfect band, metal, colour, pattern, engraving, diamonds/gemstones, and more.
We believe your wedding ring should be crafted with you in mind. That’s why we offer personal on-line consultations, just for you. Here’s how we work:
1. Simply browse our website and choose the rings you like.
2. Then, add them to your list of favourites and send them to us for a quote
3. We’ll get back to you shortly with a quote.
4. If you accept the quote and want to proceed, we will send you a PayPal invoice
5. Once we receive the deposit your rings will be put into production (usually 4-5 weeks)
6. Once ready we will let you know and arrange final payment and delivery
7. You receive your beautiful wedding rings.
We hope this guide helps to answer some of the questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us any time if you have any queries.
We always understand the importance of these pieces of jewellery and we want your experience in choosing and buying your rings to be a very special and memorable one. We understand how stressful planning a wedding can be and we want to make this part of the process stress free so we will be with you every step of the way. If you have any queries or worries at any time during the process, we are here, and you can call or message any time.
For your wedding you deserve the perfect ring, and we’re here to help you make it happen.
