Choose Italian 750 (18K) gold for wedding rings: hard enough for daily wear, it keeps its shape and holds stones securely; a plain 24K band suits traditional tastes. Women’s bands are usually 2–3 mm wide, men’s 4–6 mm. Size with a standard sizer, choose a style that suits your work, and order at least 3–4 weeks before the wedding.
Wedding rings vs engagement rings
An engagement ring is given at the proposal and usually features a centre diamond. Wedding rings are the pair exchanged at the ceremony, often designed to match and worn for life, so durability and comfort come first.
Many brides wear both on the same finger. If you plan to, choose a wedding band that sits well with the engagement ring (for example a curved band that hugs the centre stone), or bring the engagement ring to the shop to try combinations.
Choosing the metal and purity
This is the most important decision, as it determines durability, colour and trade-in value.
| Metal | Strengths | Watch out for | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian 750 (18K) yellow | Hard, keeps shape, warm colour, holds stones | Costs more than fashion gold | Most couples, daily wear |
| 750 rose gold | Soft pink tone, flattering on Asian skin | Copper alloy, hard and colour-stable | Those who like a gentle look |
| 750 white gold | Elegant, makes diamonds stand out | Needs rhodium re-plating every 1–2 years | Diamond rings, modern style |
| 24K gold | Highest gold content, keeps value | Soft, scratches and dents | Traditional tastes, little manual work |
| 610–710 gold | Affordable, hard | Lower trade-in value | Moderate budgets |
Comparison of common wedding ring metals.
If either of you works with your hands (cooking, technical work, sport), prefer a moderately thick 750 band over soft 24K.
For more on purity, see Gold purity explained: 24K, 18K, 610, 680, 710.
Choosing a style
- Plain band: classic, durable, easy to resize and clean. Finishes can be mirror-polished, sandblasted (matte) or both.
- Channel-set stones: a row of small stones across the top, sparkly yet neat. Popular for women’s bands.
- Eternity ring: stones all around, very glamorous but hard to resize, so size precisely.
- With a centre stone: for brides who want one ring for both engagement and wedding.
- Engraved patterns: a personal touch; recessed patterns last longer than raised ones.
- Comfort fit: a rounded inside that is smoother to wear and easier over the knuckle.
An easy rule: the groom’s ring is usually plain and wider, the bride’s finer with a highlight. The two should share one detail (gold colour, edge or pattern) so they read as a pair.
How wide and thick should the band be?
| Measure | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Band width | 2–3 mm | 4–6 mm |
| Thickness | 1.2–1.6 mm | 1.6–2.0 mm |
| Slim, long fingers | 2–2.5 mm | 4 mm |
| Wider, shorter fingers | 3 mm, slender profile | 5–6 mm, slightly domed |
Reference figures; trying rings on is best.
Very thin rings can bend after a few years, especially in 24K. Bands of 6 mm or more feel tighter, so go up 0.5–1 size.
Getting the size right
A wedding ring is worn for life, so the size must be right: it should pass the knuckle with a little pressure and not spin too easily at the base. Visit the shop together to be measured with a standard sizer in the afternoon. See the full method and chart in How to measure your ring size.
Engraving
Engraving inside the band keeps a private memory. Popular choices: both names, initials, the wedding date (for example "M ♥ A 12.12.2026") or a short phrase.
- A 2 mm women’s band fits about 12–15 characters; wider bands fit more.
- Check spelling and dates carefully; engraving is very hard to remove.
- Engraved rings are harder to resize, as resizing may cut through the text.
Budget and how wedding rings are priced
The price of a pair has three parts: gold (weight × the gold price for that purity on the day), workmanship and stones (if any). A plain 24K band has low workmanship but a large gold share; a diamond-set 750 ring has a larger share of workmanship and stones.
Tip: give the shop a total budget for the pair from the start so they can suggest a balanced option, such as a plain 750 band for him and a channel-set band for her. See also How jewellery is priced and traded in.
How far ahead should you buy?
| Ring type | Allow |
|---|---|
| In stock, right size | 1–2 weeks before the wedding |
| In stock, needs resizing or engraving | 2–3 weeks |
| Made to order or custom 3D design | 4–6 weeks |
Wear the rings for a few days before the ceremony to be sure of the fit and leave time for adjustments.
Checklist before you pay
- The invoice states the purity and weight of each ring.
- Diamonds of 3.6 mm and above have a certificate matching the stone in the ring.
- Prongs hold stones firmly, edges are smooth, the inside is clean.
- Ask about warranty, cleaning, resizing and trade-in; keep the guarantee.
- Try both rings on and open and close your hand a few times to check comfort.
Keeping wedding rings bright
Take rings off for the gym, gardening, cleaning chemicals or chlorinated pools. Wash regularly in warm water with a few drops of dish soap and a soft brush. Bring them to the shop every 6–12 months for a prong check and ultrasonic cleaning. Jewellery bought at Ngọc Diệp is cleaned and polished free for life. See Caring for gold and diamond jewellery.
Quick answers
What gold should wedding rings be made of?
Italian 750 (18K) is the most popular choice because it is hard, keeps its shape and holds stones; 24K suits traditional tastes but scratches easily.
Which hand is the wedding ring worn on?
Most commonly the ring finger of the left hand; some families wear it on the right. What matters is sizing the finger and hand you will actually use.
How wide should a wedding band be?
Women’s bands are usually 2–3 mm and men’s 4–6 mm; thickness should be at least 1.2 mm to resist bending.
Do wedding rings have to match?
No, but sharing one detail such as gold colour, edge or pattern makes them read as a pair.
How early should we order?
In-stock rings 1–3 weeks before; custom designs 4–6 weeks before.
Does Ngọc Diệp make custom wedding rings?
Yes. The shop offers 3D design and crafting, with advice on purity, stones and engraving; message Zalo +84 916 600 660 to book.
