One’s wedding ring is often a person’s most important item of jewellery, because of the huge meaning that it has for its owner. It is meant to denote the love that exists between two people. In most countries, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand – the ring finger, although in Norway, Germany and Russia, it is worn on the fourth finger of the right hand.

Next you will need to think about the type of metal that will be suitable for your budget and lifestyle. The most popular precious metals are platinum, white gold and yellow gold. Platinum is the most expensive of these options, but it is also the most durable, so if you do a lot of manual work you may want to consider spending a little more on this stronger metal. If you like the look of platinum but cannot afford it then white gold can be polished and brushed to resemble platinum’s ultra modern look.

Yellow gold is the most traditional metal for wedding rings, and remember that the carat designates the purity of the gold. The higher the carat the more gold it contains, but also the softer the ring will be, and less suitable for the rigors of an active life. Jewelers often recommend 18ct, which is thought to be a good compromise between luxury and practicality.

When choosing the design of your wedding ring, think about your own personal style. If you are a bold, daring person then there are lots of modern, exciting designs now available. If you are creative, you may want to sketch out a design of your own, and then get it custom made by a goldsmith. It is still traditional to have matching rings, but you can add your own twists to the design, for example both wedding rings could be the same metal and pattern, but the bride could have the addition of some diamonds or another precious stone.