Q&A Fashion Wedding ring special HANDS-ON APPROACH My husband-to-be has an outdoor job where he’s working with his hands in the elements all year; which style of wedding band to do you recommend to last? We would always strongly recommend platinum for someone who has a more manual job; platinum is the most hard-wearing and resilient metal and is perfect for someone who may put their jewellery through harder wear than average. Due to platinum’s nature, we can polish the ring as much as is needed over the years, and the weight of the ring will not be affected – meaning the ring you get married in will always weigh the same. Of course, doing any serious manual tasks, we will always recommend that the wearer removes their rings for both the safety of the jewellery, but also the safety of the wearer. Jake Johnson, manager, WR Bullen Ltd 01603 620 641 | https://bullensjewellers.co.uk MAKING SHAPES I opted for a pear-shaped engagement ring which I adore, however, I didn’t consider my wedding band options at the time. What style would complement my engagement ring best? I adore a pear-shaped engagement ring — they’re elegant, distinctive, and full of personality. There are plenty of beautiful options to suit a pear-shaped design and, as with all wedding rings, it all starts with one key question: is your engagement ring wed-fit? A wed-fit engagement ring is designed so the stone setting sits slightly higher, allowing a straight wedding band to sit snugly underneath without a gap. If your ring isn’t wed-fit, it likely sits lower to the finger, which might mean a traditional straight band leaves a noticeable space — but that just opens the door to more creative shaping. For both wed-fit and non-wed-fit rings, shaped wedding bands are a lovely option and work especially well with pear shape jewellery. A wishbone band, for example, echoes the point of the pear shape beautifully, while a soft curved band can follow the rounded edge. These can be kept classic and plain or set with small stones for a timeless sparkle. If you’re after something bolder, I love a tiara-style wedding ring against a pear-shaped engagement ring. The symmetry in the pear-shaped gemstones gives a sense of balance and considered design and echoes the beauty of your special engagement ring. There’s no one-size-fits-all rule here — it’s all about what feels right when you see your rings together. I always recommend chatting with your jeweller about practicality, wear, and how the rings will live together for years to come. April Dace, designer/maker, April Dace Jewellery 07933 545 727 | www.aprildacejewellery.com 70
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