A Simple Guide to Wedding Band Styles

Choosing the right wedding band is just as important as selecting your engagement ring. While your engagement ring might steal the spotlight, your wedding band will be with you for a lifetime. Whether you want it to complement your engagement ring or stand out on its own, this decision deserves careful thought.

To help you navigate the process of finding the perfect wedding band, we consulted Julie Yoakum, Chief Merchandising Officer at Blue Nile, who sheds light on the most popular wedding band styles. Read on to discover the options that could be the perfect fit for you.

Metal Wedding Bands

Classic metal wedding bands are simple and elegant, typically made from platinum, titanium, stainless steel, or 18K or 14K gold (white, yellow, or rose). “Platinum is the most popular in this style,” explains Yoakum. “It’s not only the shiniest metal, but it also develops a beautiful patina over time that can be buffed back to its original luster if desired.”

Metal bands are ideal for:

Any type of engagement ring or as a piece to stack with other bands.

Active brides who want a durable, no-fuss band that won’t be damaged by everyday wear.

Pavé Wedding Bands

Pavé wedding bands are adorned with diamonds or gemstones, giving them a touch of sparkle and flair. These rings can be tailored to match the stones of your engagement ring, offering a beautiful, coordinated look.

Pavé bands pair best with:

Engagement rings that feature pavé settings or cushion cut solitaires with a pavé halo.

Pavé bands are ideal for:

Brides who love the sparkle of diamonds but prefer the smooth look of low-set stones rather than prong settings.

Eternity Wedding Bands

An eternity band features diamonds or gemstones that encircle the entire band. There are two popular styles: shared prong and channel settings. In a shared prong eternity band, two adjacent stones share a prong, creating a “u” shape when viewed from the side, exposing more of the stone and offering extra sparkle. In contrast, a channel-set eternity band has stones that sit within a metal channel, giving it a more solid, encrusted look.

“Any cut of diamond that you can find in an engagement ring—from round brilliant to emerald—can also be used in an eternity band,” says Yoakum.

Eternity bands pair best with:

A shared prong eternity band complements classic engagement rings, enhancing their shine.

A channel-set eternity band pairs perfectly with a channel-set engagement ring for a cohesive look.

Eternity bands are ideal for:

Brides who want a bold wedding band that can stand alone without the engagement ring. With options ranging from under one carat to 10+ carats, eternity bands can certainly make a statement.

Anniversary Wedding Bands

Anniversary bands are similar to eternity bands but differ in that the diamonds or gemstones only circle halfway around the band. These rings are typically given to celebrate major milestones in a marriage, such as 10, 15, or 20 years.

Anniversary bands pair best with:

Any type of engagement ring. The key is ensuring the settings of both the anniversary band and engagement ring match to create a cohesive feel.

Anniversary bands are ideal for:

Brides who like the timeless elegance of an eternity band but prefer not to have diamonds on the underside of their hand.

With this guide, you can better understand the various wedding band styles to choose the one that reflects your unique taste and lifestyle.