WEDDING RING FAQs

A: Yes — Designing a wedding ring to match a customer's engagement ring one of our specialities. 

Bring your engagement ring to the consultation and between us we'll design a wedding ring that complements it perfectly.

A: If you have an engagement ring that doesn't sit well with a straight wedding band, you'll need a "fitted" wedding ring.

(Alternative terms for this are "Curved", "Curve-to-Fit" or "Shaped".)

Many of the rings we make are designed to  fit perfectly with a customer's engagement ring. 

Fitted Wedding Rings page

A: We recommend getting in touch at least three months before your wedding date to allow plenty of time for design, making, and any adjustments.

Last-minute orders can be stressfull for customers and put extra pressure on us.

We like to have as much notice as you can give us.

Many customers order as much as two year before their wedding!

A: Yes, and most couples do exactly that. 

It's nice to get your partner's opinion when you are discussing the finer design details, and many couples tell us they find the design consultation an interesting and enjoyable experience.

A: At Aurum designer-jewellers a commission starts with a design consultation at our showroom. 

You’ll meet one of the goldsmiths from the on-site workshop, who will listen to your ideas and offer expert advice as you decide on every aspect of the design.

A: There are various things that you should consider when choosing the metal for your wedding ring.

If you want a gold wedding ring you have a choice of 22ct, 18ct, and 9ct gold. 

The numbers denote the number of parts of pure gold out of 24 in the alloy.

22ct gold is the purest and the softest. It has a rich colour, but it is probably not the best choice for anyone with a manual job or an active lifestyle. 

9ct gold has only 9/24 pure gold, and contains a lot of silver and copper, resulting in a paler colour. 

18ct gold is the alloy favoured by high quality jewellers. 

With 18/24 pure gold it has an attractive yellow colour and is tough enough for everyday wear.

If you prefer a white (silvery) metal, you have more metals to choose from.

White gold is made by mixing pure gold with a white metal such as palladium. White gold has a yellowish tinge and jewellery in this metal is usually electro-plated with rhodium to make it look whiter.

Unfortunately, rhodium plating wears off quite quickly, revealing the true colour of the white gold beneath.

Platinum is the best white metal for a wedding ring.

 It is very tough and hard wearing, and because it is naturally white it does not require rhodium-plating. 

Platinum’s density gives it a luxurious hefty feel.

There are other metals available such as Titanium, and silver. We are always happy to discuss metal characteristics as well as your personal preferences and lifestyle in order to help you decide which will be the best metal for your wedding ring.

A: The price of a wedding ring is individually calculated based on the costs of materials and labour needed to produce it.

Gold and platinum are sold by weight, and we calculate this  from the width, depth and finger-size of the ring. 

The labour element depends on the design.  The least labour-intensive style is a perfectly plain band.  The more complex the design, the longer it takes someone the create, and the more it will cost. 

Adding diamonds obviously adds cost, which is determined by the number, size and quality of the stones used.

If you come for a design consultation discuss your requirements so we can discover all the information we need to calculate accurate prices for you.

A consultation is free and without obligation.

Because we are both manufacturer and retailer, you are not paying a middleman markup. 

A: It varies. We suggest you allow at least three months for production of your wedding ring.

Many of our customers order up to two years before their wedding date.  

Gold and platinum prices fluctuate from day to day, but over all, the trajectory is generally upwards. 

This is why it pays to lock-in the price sooner rather than later.

A: Traditionally, in the UK, a wedding ring is worn on the "ring" finger of the left hand. (The fourth finger, or the one next to the little finger.) 

In some other cultures the wedding ring is worn on the right hand.

A: If you are comparing prices for similar looking bands from different shops, don't just look at the width.

Precious metals are sold by weight, so you need to consider the depth too, as this will have a big influence on the weight.

Incidentally, you should ignore descriptions such as "heavy", "medium", or "light" weight. -  There is no industry standard for these terms, so they are meaningless!

To make a meaningful comparison you need a measurement in mm.

A lower profile ring might, at first glance, look like a bargain, but you'll be getting less gold (or platinum), and it will be less durable than a ring that is deeper and heavier.

As with most things, you get what you pay for.

A: We measure your size during your consultation.

 Whilst most rings can be re-sized later, if needed, it's always our aim to make a wedding ring in the correct finger-size.

A: That's completely fine!

 Many couples have different tastes when it comes to their wedding rings. 

We're experienced at creating rings that feel personal to each wearer while still belonging together.

A: Yes — all our jewellery is assayed and hallmarked at the London Assay Office, as required by law.

A: Custom-made wedding rings vary in cost, and are not necessarily more expensive than off-the-shelf rings.

The price of any ring, whether custom-made or not, depends on the cost of the materials and the labour that are needed to produce it.

A: Finding a wedding ring that fits perfectly with your engagement ring, and is the right width and has the right profile is practically impossible. 

The solution is to have it designed and made for you. 

A: Going on, your ring should slide over the knuckle without too much resistance, and fit snugly without feeling tight. Coming off, the ring should to take a little more effort, but without being a struggle.

A: Often, yes — and many couples enjoy the process of designing their rings together. 

Your wedding ring is an important purchase, and it can be helpful to get your partner's views on the design, as it evolves during your consultation.

We can also work with each person separately if preferred.

A: Yes — we offer a range of finishes including polished, satin, matte, brushed, and hammered. 

We can also combine different finishes on the same ring. 

We'll show you examples at the consultation.

If you are looking for a particular effect, just describe it, and we'll work out a way to achieve it for you.

A: You should consider going for a bespoke wedding ring, rather than limiting your choice to what is available in standard ranges.

At Aurum designer-jewellers we specialise in creating custom made wedding rings in platinum, gold, and palladium. 

We offer a free design consultation at our showroom.  This is an opportunity to meet one of the goldsmiths from our workshop to discuss ideas for your wedding ring.

When you opt for a bespoke wedding ring you have control over every aspect of the design. 

There are lots of points to discuss, and many small decisions to be made. 

If you have an engagement ring your wedding ring should be designed to complement it. 

We give you all the advice you need to design a ring that is perfect for you.

A: We can design a wedding ring that complements any engagement ring beautifully.  

Regardless of where your engagement ring came from, the process is exactly the same.  

We just need to see it at the consultation. 

We don't copy branded designs, but we'll produce something that sits perfectly alongside them.

A: The gold we use in our wedding rings is Single Mine Origin (SMO). 

SMO certified gold provides an auditable chain of custody for the entire supply chain, with full segregation from mine to finished product. It adheres to a number of strict CSR guidelines and is mined in accordance with the World Gold Council’s Responsible Gold Mining Principles.

A: A design consultation at Aurum designer-jewellers takes place at our studio in Worthing.

You deal directly with a designer-maker from our onsite workshop.  

A consultation is a one-to-one collaborative process, and you can have as much creative input as you wish.

 We need to understand your requirements and aspirations for your wedding rings, so we start by listening to any ideas you already have.  

If you have an engagement ring, we'll take a look at it, so that we  design your wedding ring to complement  it.

We'll ask questions so that we can really understand your aspirations, your taste,  and your lifestyle, and we'll suggest ideas for you to consider.

Some customers arrive with a clear idea of what they are looking for, whereas others are really looking for inspiration and advice. -   It doesn't matter; - We work with you to achieve your desired outcome.

Generally, we  start by designing your ideal ring and then we'll calculate a price based on those exact specifications.

If this works with your budget, thats fine.

If not, at this stage we'll ask you to disclose  the price point you are aiming for, and we can then tweak the specifications to  reduce material and/or labour costs to work with your budget.

A design consultation is free, and there is absolutely no obligation, and no  pressure to buy from us.

A: Absolutely!  We love working with clients who are looking to create rings that are out-of-the-ordinary. 

If you have a  idea, we can develop it into something that is as individual as you wish.