Wedding Ring Guide
How to choose wedding rings
Something that stays close to your everyday life together
At ANNA DIAMOND, we interpret the engagement ring as the symbol of the "vow of love," while the wedding ring is the symbol of "everyday life." In creating the wedding ring, a symbol of "everyday life," we take care to make designs that suit the various daily scenes and are highly functional, yet visually and emotionally one of a kind, fitting to be worn with each wearer's own convictions.
Based on the questions we often receive about choosing a ring to share a lifetime with, we have put together the helpful guide below.
Comfort and durability come first.Pt950 is a reassuring material, and a design that fits into daily life is best. There are no rules for the pair's form. If you are unsure, come to our flagship store in Daikanyama.
What is a wedding ring
What Is a Wedding Ring — History & Meaning
A wedding ring (marriage ring) is a ring exchanged at the wedding ceremony andworn on an everyday basis. Unlike an engagement ring, the pair often wear matching ones, and it is common to wear it on the ring finger of the left hand as a symbol of "being married."
Its history goes all the way back to ancient Rome. At the time, rings of iron were exchanged, but in medieval Europe gold rings became mainstream, leading to the current style. In Japan, the wedding ring spread after the war, from around the 1960s.
While engagement rings enjoy elaborate designs, wedding rings tend towardsimple designs that never grow old. However, this does not mean it "must be simple." What matters is finding a design that expresses who you are.
When should we start looking?
Timeline — When to Start Looking
For wedding rings, it is ideal to start looking3 to 4 months before the ceremony. Ready-made pieces often arrive in 1 to 2 months, but made-to-order can take 2 to 3 months to produce.
At ANNA DIAMOND, we deliver made-to-order wedding rings inabout 4 to 6 weeks. However, this varies with the engraving content and the complexity of the design. If you are in a hurry, please consult us.
6 months before: Begin research, form your design vision
4 months before: Visit the shop, try on, measure size
3 months before: Confirm the order
1 month before: Receive it, final check of the engraving
Ceremony day: To the ring ceremony
Match as a pair, or not?
Matching Bands — Pair, Semi-Pair, or Individual
Do you think "wedding rings must be a matching pair"?
In fact,they do not necessarily have to match. Some couples choose the same design, while more and more each choose a design they like. What matters is that the two of you choose with full agreement.
Fully matching
A style of matching the same design and same material. It has a sense of unity and visually expresses "the bond between two." Often only the width is changed, with the man's wider and the woman's narrower.
Semi-matching
A style that keeps the same direction in material and texture whilechanging the details. For example, in the same platinum, the woman's with diamonds and the man's with a matte finish. At ANNA DIAMOND, this style is the most popular.
Each freely
A style where each chooses an entirely different design. Even if they look different, placing the same engraving inside can give them "a connection that is theirs alone."
Love is not gazing at each other,Rainer Maria Rilke
but looking together in the same direction.
Some worry, "Isn't it strange not to match?", but about 40% of ANNA DIAMOND's customers choose semi-matching or separate designs.What matters most is that the two of you can wear them comfortably every day. There is no need to force a match at all.
Choose a design
Design Types — Straight, Wave, V-shape & Texture
Wedding band designs fall into a few main types.
Straight
The most classic shape. A straight, clean linemakes the finger look neat and beautiful.Because it is so simple, the quality of the material and the beauty of the finish come to the fore. Popular with everyone regardless of gender, and easy to pair with any occasion.
Wave (S curve)
A design that follows the finger with a gentle curve.It covers the knuckleand softens the look of the hand. It layers beautifully with an engagement ring, and is especially popular with women.
V shape
A design that tapers to a V at the centre.It makes the finger look longer and more slender.Sharp in impression, it suits those who favour a modern style. It is also ideal for layering to set off the diamond of an engagement ring.
With texture
Hammered finish, milgrain, satin finish, matte finish and more. Adding character to the surface lets the ringreveal different expressions depending on how the light falls.At ANNA DIAMOND we add each texture by hand, one piece at a time.
| Design | Impression | For those who |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | Simple, classic | love a design that never tires |
| Wave | Feminine, soft | want to show the hand beautifully |
| V shape | Sharp, modern | love a distinctive design |
| With texture | Warm, full of character | value a handmade feel |
Add diamonds?
Diamonds on a Wedding Band — With or Without
Whether to add diamonds to a wedding band is one of the questions we are asked most often.
If you add them
A style set with a few small melee diamonds is popular.An understated sparkleadds a touch of grace to everyday life. Some choose an eternity ring (diamonds set all the way around), though please note this makes resizing difficult.
If you leave them out
A style that relies on the beauty of the metal alone.A simple beautystands out and suits any occasion. Future resizing is easier, and care is simple too.
Adding diamonds certainly increases the sense of splendour, butthere is no problem at all in leaving them out.For everyday wear, many tell us that a simple ring is easier to use, working with any outfit or setting. There is no need to choose diamonds simply because you feel you ought to.
Choosing the material
Metals — Choosing the Right Material
A wedding band is worn every day. That is exactly whychoosing the materialis so important. Consider not only the look you prefer, but also durability, kindness to the skin and ease of care.
| Material | Colour | Hardness | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pt950 | Silvery white | ★★★★ | Resists tarnishing and is kind to the skin. The most popular in Japan |
| K18 yellow gold | A warm golden tone | ★★★ | Radiant and flattering to the skin. Develops character with age |
| K18 pink gold | A faint pink | ★★★★ | Flatters the skin tone. Harder thanks to its copper content |
| K18 white gold | A slightly warm white | ★★★ | Lighter than platinum, with a more casual feel. Rhodium coated |
At ANNA DIAMOND we userecycled metal from urban mines for all of our precious metals.It requires no new mining, and the quality is no different from newly mined metal. If you would like to know more about materials, see ourprecious metals guidefor more.
Width and comfort
Width & Comfort — Finding the Perfect Fit
Something surprisingly easy to overlook when choosing a wedding band is thewidthand theinner finish.Because it is worn every day, comfort is a point you should not compromise on.
A guide to width
2.0〜2.5mm: Delicate and feminine. Popular with women.
2.5〜3.0mm: Well balanced and easy to wear for anyone.
3.0〜4.0mm: A strong presence, popular with men. Texture stands out.
4.0mm〜: A wide ring. Highly fashionable.
Comfort fit (uchi kou maru)
Every ANNA DIAMOND wedding band uses acomfort fit (uchi kou maru) finish.By rounding the inner surface of the ring, we reduce the pressure on the finger, so it feels comfortable even worn for long hours.
Imagine yourself ten years from now.Even if your figure changes or your work changes, it matters to choose a width you can keep wearing comfortably. If you choose a ring that is too wide simply because it looks striking now, you may stop wearing it in the future. When you try one on, clench your hand or hold a bag to check it against the movements of everyday life.
Adding an engraving
Engraving — A Hidden Message for Two
By engraving the inside of a wedding band,a special message that belongs only to the two of youcan be held within it.
Popular engraving ideas
Initials plus a date: The most common. For example, H to M 2026.5.20
A message: A short phrase in English or French. For example, toujours (always)
Symbols and marks: A heart, a star, or an original mark just for the two of you
A fingerprint: At ANNA DIAMOND we also offer fingerprint engraving
An engraving is usuallyaround 15 to 20 charactersin letters and numbers. If the ring is narrow the character count is limited, so please consult us in advance. Adding or changing an engraving may not be possible once production has begun, so we recommend deciding early.
Layering with an engagement ring
Stacking — Pairing with Your Engagement Ring
If you already have an engagement ring, we recommend choosing your wedding band withlayeringin mind.
Tips for layering
Choose a design that leaves no gap: Depending on how the diamond of the engagement ring is set, a straight wedding band can leave a gap. A V shape or wave design fits along the diamond.
Match the material: When you layer different metals, the harder one can scratch the softer. Matching the same material is safer.
Keep the style consistent: You do not have to match the same brand, but aligning the direction of style (classic, modern, natural and so on) brings a beautiful sense of unity.
At ANNA DIAMOND we useWe also accept made to order sets of engagement and wedding rings.By designing them as a set from the start, the beauty of layering can be drawn out to the fullest. We can also propose a fitting for an engagement ring from another brand, if you bring the actual piece.
Thinking about budget
Budget — A Practical Perspective
The average budget for wedding bands is said to bearound 200,000 to 300,000 yen for the pair.That said, this is only an average, and it varies greatly with the design, the material and whether diamonds are included.
| Price range (pair) | A guide to what is included |
|---|---|
| 100,000 to 150,000 yen | Simple design, narrow width |
| 150,000 to 250,000 yen | Standard design, with melee diamonds |
| 250,000 to 400,000 yen | Made to order, with texture |
| From 400,000 yen | High jewellery, eternity |
Wedding preparations involve many costs. A wedding band isfor life, but there is no need to overstretch.Even a simple ring, if the material and finish are good, is beautiful enough to wear for a lifetime. At ANNA DIAMOND we also offer services to add diamonds later or to renew the ring on an anniversary. Choose the best for now.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What truly mattersHaruna Mori — Designer
lies where the eye cannot see.