Wedding bands by Danielle Lee Jewelry (hers) and Etsy (his). Image by: Arden Wray, c/o Alexandra Donaldson
Your engagement ring might be sparkly, but that doesn’t mean your wedding band should be an afterthought. We tapped two jewellery pros for the trends that will make your ring stand out.
When the conversation of impending nuptials comes up, it’s often the engagement ring that gets all of the glory, and it’s very rare that the topic switches to wedding bands though they are, arguably, the more important and symbolic piece of jewellery. Representing the commitment the couple is making together, wedding bands are traditionally exchanged and sort of seal the deal when it comes to "I do". And while they are often and historically much more understated than engagement rings, there’s no reason that wedding bands can’t make a statement on their own.
We spoke with two wedding jewellery experts to chat wedding band trends for both men and women and how to give your rings—which, it should be noted, you are pledging to wear forever—a personal touch.
1. Bespoke pieces
With “authenticity” being a buzzword in today’s social media-focused society, it’s no surprise that more and more grooms are opting for custom engagement rings to betroth their future fiancées. Geoff Black, the founder of Carnabys Bespoke Jewellery, says, “Jewellery has always been really personal, and we’ve found that people really want to feel like they’ve created something unique for their partner.” Tamara Kronis, the founder of Studio1098, further explains that many couples are opting to integrate personal touches to their customized pieces. “One of my favourite personalized rings was for someone who drives a motorcycle and his wedding band was inspired by the spoke pattern of the motorcycle wheel."
2. Going for gold
When thinking about wedding bands and their relation to marriage, the hope is that both will last a lifetime. In recent years, people have been looking to alternative metals, such as tungsten and titanium for durability, particularly for men’s wedding bands. But, as Kronis points out, these metals cannot be resized, which can be a deterrent for some.
As people are becoming more thoughtful about their designs, it’s trickling into the metal used as well, both for longevity and for appearance. Black says, “A few years ago, all we saw was white gold, but now we’re seeing a return to a more traditional yellow gold wedding band,” for both women and men. While rose gold has become a bit of a mainstay for women, particularly with engagement rings, Kronis is seeing that is becoming a trend with men’s wedding bands as well. While matching wedding bands between the couple isn’t as common, according to Kronis, it is one of the contributing factors to men wearing rose gold, particularly if the woman has a rose gold engagement ring. On the other hand, Black thinks the spike in men opting for rose gold has to do with the resurgence of vintage-inspired bands. Rose gold is flattering on all skin tones, and despite its flashy name, can actually be quite understated—which makes for a desirable quality for someone who perhaps isn’t used to wearing jewellery.
Michael Hill Yellow Gold Wedding Band, $819, michaelhill.ca.
3. Finishing touches
Couples are looking to different finishes to provide a more modern approach to a classic band. Kronis gives an example of pulling inspiration from other textures, such as wood, and integrating them into the gold bands, adding a personal touch to a piece that will stand the test of time. Black describes what is called a “glass finish” where the ring effectively has a matte or brushed appearance and less of the traditional high-shine finish.
The Wooden Circle Rose Gold Ring, starting at $194, etsy.ca.
4. Mix and match
Many women opt to match their wedding bands to their engagement rings, but Kronis explains that there is also a higher emphasis being put on the design of the wedding bands themselves as standalone pieces. “The idea that you’re going to wear your engagement ring is not as prominent and, as a result, wedding bands are no longer just an afterthought, but are something that is being designed in a way to also be worn on its own,” she says. For same-sex couples, Kronis explains that it is also much easier to do something personal to the couple while also matching design, by way of interlocking wedding bands. The bottom line? Don't feel beholden to what your engagement ring looks like, or what type of band your partner wants, if you've got your heart set on something different for your own band. Not everything needs to match, it can be complementary instead.
Band Ring, $2950, tiffany.ca.
The DNA Ring, $549, carnabys.ca.
Ring and Grove Antler Ring, $383, etsy.ca.
Slideshow
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
A grandmother's gift
"This sentimental necklace with the initial “O” belonged to my beloved grandmother Oneida, who was truly a remarkable lady. She wore this necklace daily and now I wear it to remember the beautiful person she was and the close bond we had." - Lena Diaz, acting deputy art director
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
A grandmother's gift
"This sentimental necklace with the initial “O” belonged to my beloved grandmother Oneida, who was truly a remarkable lady. She wore this necklace daily and now I wear it to remember the beautiful person she was and the close bond we had." - Lena Diaz, acting deputy art director
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Wish you were here
I received this charm bracelet when I was about 5 years old. It came with the Libra symbol, which is my astrological sign, and after that, whenever my parents went on vacation they’d bring me back a charm. Over the years I collected bits from England, Scotland, Holland, Florida, Mexico and New York. Sadly, the bracelet is way too small for me now, but it brings back good memories whenever I come across it in my jewellery box. –Suzanne Moutis, Executive Editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Cheap thrill
"The only piece of jewellery I regularly wear is an heirloom-looking ring that I absolutely cherish—people ask about its provenance all the time. But here's the truth: It was a $25 score at the St. Lawrence Sunday Antiques Market in Toronto!"
Sara Cation, features editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
The big one
"This summer I got engaged to my partner of 14 years so the pressure was on, not only because I’m fluent in fashion but more so because he knows me better than anyone else. He knew I was always keen on emeralds and vintage so he embarked on a year long journey to find me “the one,” and I’m happy to report he came back successful. It’s an Art Deco ring from the 1950s. The centre stone is a brilliant emerald cut emerald flanked with baguette diamonds and eight brilliant cut diamonds on the top and bottom. I know this sounds cheesy and perhaps hollow but every time I glance down at it a smile glosses my face."
Julia McEwen, fashion & beauty director
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Countdown
"As someone who tends to wear simple, everyday jewellery, I actually had a hard time deciding on what to wear for my wedding day this past August. The truth was I didn't want to wear anything glitzy or out of character, so I opted for a few simple and delicate gold necklaces. One of which was this pendant which is engraved with the roman numeral VII—the number of years I was with my partner before we decided to get hitched. And so, my wedding jewellery became my everyday jewellery—I haven't taken this piece off since."
Alexandra Donaldson, fashion & beauty editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Change it up
Originally, these topaz stones were in a pendant and a set of earrings given to me by a dear friend when I turned 18. I very seldom wore them, and just last year I decided to see if I could change the settings and get more use out of them. My husband had them reconfigured into this pendant for me at Christmastime, and now it’s one of my favourite pieces to wear. – Suzanne Moutis, Executive Editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Something new
"This necklace from J. Crew has always been a go-to statement piece in my wardrobe. The colours are simple and elegant, which makes it easy to pair with a variety of outfits. The memory associated with my necklace goes back to an enjoyable weekend spending time with a close friend touring around the Niagara region."
Genevieve Pizzale, production specialist
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Quick change
"After my grandma passed away, I found one of her earrings—just half the pair. It's stunning—a large, clear opal with an intricate gold setting. Since the other half was nowhere to be found, I brought the earring in to The Beadery on Queen Street in Toronto and had it made into a necklace, which I now wear every day."
Renee Reardin, senior digital editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Pearl diver
"I'm a sentimental fool when it comes to heirlooms. My great-grandmother gifted me her freshwater pearls when she passed and I always bust them out for classy events simply because they are so timeless. I will likely wear them for my wedding, as my something old, perhaps?"
Sarah Big Canoe, associate art director
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Stay gold
“I’ve been wearing the same tiny gold hoop earrings for as long as I can remember. My grandmother gave them to little me when I first got my ears pierced. They’re subtle, and pair with everything (I’m wearing them with jeans and a blouse today, and I also wore them on my wedding day).”
Amanda Etty, features editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Family ties
"When I told my mom that I was going to propose to my boyfriend Alex she scurried off excitedly and returned with a small jewellery bag containing a gold necklace and a bracelet. "These were your grandmother’s," she said, “and if you want to use them for engagement rings, they’re yours.” Alex wanted a platinum ring so I decided to have his custom made with a thin band of my grandmother’s gold running diagonally throughout. Mine would be made of her gold with a thin band of platinum—the inverse of Alex's. The best part is, there was enough gold leftover for both of our wedding bands too."
Paul Lillakas, food editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
One of each
"When I was a kid I’d scan the mastheads of my favourite American fashion magazines and always loved the sound of “Accessory Editor.” Though years later I landed in the magazine biz I quickly learned that in Canada this super focused job title did not exist, largely because of our much smaller editorial teams than our US counterparts. However my love and borderline obsession for costume jewellery has never wavered. There’s no way to narrow my favourites to just one because I have SO many pieces that range from thrift store finds, cheap mass-market pieces, small Canadian artisan baubles and the odd fine jewelry sprinkled in. So that’s how I’ll list them:
Best vintage find: From years trolling Value Village and vintage boutiques in Toronto's Kensington market neighbourhood, I’ve accumulated a treasure trove. Though my favourite piece is a thin stretchy sinuous gold tone belt with a bow clasp speckled in rhinestone. It’s like a piece of jewellery for my waist and can be worn over jackets or used to cinch in dresses.
Best mass-market piece: Real talk, over the last two years I think I’ve purchased a total of eight different fringe trimmed earrings from H&M—same style but in a plethora of colours. Pretty much every time I wear a pair of these earrings I get compliments from total strangers. Besides the compliments, the thing I love the most about them is that they are statement making without feeling heavy on my earlobes. Plus, the fact that they cost less then a $20 bill is also a serious positive.
Best Canadian piece: I discovered the Vancouver based jewellery line, Foe & Dear, in 2014 in a small boutique in Toronto’s distillery district where I purchased the first of many pieces. The ring, which designer Katherine Huie no longer makes is called the ‘Choupette kitten ring’ named after Karl Lagerfeld’s famous feline. I adore this thin ring so much—I wear it all the time."
Julia McEwen, fashion & beauty director
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Bound together
I opted out of an engagement ring when my now-husband and I decided to get married (we spent the money on a vacation instead). But I knew that I wanted something personal and substantial for a wedding ring—only whenever I tried options on in-store they weren't quite right. I wanted something wide, but still streamlined. Something simple, but different. It was no small order, but when I decided to work on something custom everything came together. Toronto-based designer Danielle Singer (of Dolorous Jewellery) came up with several beautiful options, but all three of us (Danielle, my husband and myself) loved the simple, wide, white gold band with a triangle cut-out. It's perfect—masculine without being manly, feminine without being sweet. As something I'll wear for the rest of my life, I have to say, I'm in love."
Alexandra Donaldson, fashion & beauty editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
Hidden meanings
When we were first dating, my husband was very sentimental, and for each holiday or occasion he would go to this little antiques boutique and buy me something old or vintage. One of his favourite things was to look for pendants that had fun meanings or attributes. These ones are my favourites: there’s a perfume applicator on the far left, a bubble blower in the middle and the ball on the right conceals a locket that folds out and can hold six images. These are things I will cherish for the rest of my life. –Suzanne Moutis, Executive Editor
Our favourite sentimental jewellery
The original
"I’ve always admired my mom’s gold charm bracelet. Given to her by my great-grandmother and made well before Pandora and some other charm jewellery brands, each ornament is delicate, detailed and one-of-a-kind. It’s almost too special to wear!"
Sarah Dziedzic, editorial assistant
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