Should I choose a plain or diamond wedding band?

Choosing your wedding rings? Whether to go for a plain or diamond wedding band is one of the big questions we hear from many brides to be.

It's quite tempting to bling up your wedding band with diamonds to enjoy the sparkle. After all, you'll look at your wedding ring every day.

But is a diamond set wedding ring right for you?

Diamond set wedding bands have become much more popular in recent years, with many brides opting for added bling in place of a plain metal band.

Let's walk through some of things to weigh up when deciding whether to go for a classic band or add some sparkle to your wedding band?

Practicalities of a diamond wedding band

Everyone loves diamonds, right? We agree that the old adage 'diamonds are a girl's best friend' is right on the money.

But if you work in an industry or have hobbies where you use your hands a lot, small diamonds may not be practical. Dirt and impurities can build up underneath the diamonds if you don't clean it regulularly, taking the edge off your shine.

A metal wedding band, whether platinum, gold or white gold, can still perfectly complement your engagement ring. It is also smooth and comfortable outside and in, and is a lot easier to keep clean!

On the flipside, if you have occasion to wear your wedding band without your engagement ring, having diamonds in it means you can still get that sparkle without the height of the engagement ring.

And it's not that difficult to clean your diamond wedding band if you keep a Diamond Dazzle Stik handy. Pop it by your sink and give your ring a quick clean now and again to keep it sparkling.

Bottom line - think about the basics before getting carried away with the design.

Brown & Newirth create beautiful wedding rings, both plain and diamond set. Check them out for more inspiration.

Your wedding ring budget

Traditional metal bands tend to be more affordable than diamond wedding or eternity bands. And after the outlay of your engagement ring and the wedding itself, sometimes there is limited budget for wedding rings.

But don't despair. You can always save up for that eternity ring for a future occasion such as an anniversary or birth of a child. Then you can complete the trilogy and stack your rings.

On the other hand, combining a wedding and eternity ring into one can have budgetary benefits in the long run. so if you have the opportunity and the cash flow for a diamond band now, you can combine the two into one - job done!

Bottom line - do you want to wear two or three rings in the long run?

Our Raphael Collection includes a stunning array of diamond half and full eternity rings that work beautifully as wedding rings. With something to suit every budget.

Wedding ring styles

Some engagement rings suit a plain band best, and others look fantastic with that sparkling frame.

Of course, a lot of this is down to personal taste, but some engagement ring styles suit a diamond band better than a plain band, and vice versa.

For example, unusual shaped or low-set engagement rings require a shaped or curved wedding band. A curved wedding band shape works very well with diamonds.

However, a ring with heavily set diamond shoulders may be best paired with a plain band to let it remain the star of the show!

A traditional solitaire ring can lend itself to both styles.

Another tip is that if you had your heart set on engraved wedding bands, the settings for a diamond wedding band can make it difficult to find room for engraving.

Bottom line - be guided by your engagement ring and any engraving you are planning on.

Find out more about Clogau Compose - specialists in bridal sets that include shaped or matching wedding bands.

Head to their clever online tool to design your ring, available at Niche Jewellery.

Eternity rings

If you don't imagine investing in an eternity ring in the future, a diamond set wedding band can do the job of both.

It's a lovely way to add even more meaning and sparkle to your bridal set. Plus you can always design an eternity ring for the right hand to avoid overcrowding.

But if you think a left hand eternity ring is on the cards, two diamond rings on one hand may not create a harmonious look.

And some may say, why have one when you can have both. Go for a plain wedding ring now and add a diamond eternity band later.

Bottom line - think about the future and how you might add an eternity ring.

The upshot

At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal choice.

Our top tip for deciding on a plain or diamond wedding band is to think of the long term look as well as the everyday practicalities.

Go with what you love, but remember it's something you'll wear every day.

So, now that's out of the way and you've made your decision - happy shopping!

Shop wedding bands for women here.

Shop eternity rings here.

Confused? Just drop into store or give us a call and we'll help. Find all the ways to contact us here.

We love to help keep you up to date with the latest jewellery news, trends and tips. To do this, we update our blog content now and again. This article was last updated in November 2022.