Matching wedding bands are nowadays a time-blessed tradition (although they came into the limelight not that long ago). The image of two bands of a similar design gently leaning on each other has become a perfect metaphor for marriage, bliss, a couple as a whole, and for all things nuptial.
But what about matching engagement rings? Are they a thing? Are they fashionable? And should you get them, in the first place?
Well, they are gradually becoming popular, so yes, they are a thing. And to help you make the right decision, we’ll explore all the key aspects of choosing and purchasing matching engagement rings that will be truly yours and will speak of your unique love story and commitment.
What Are Matching Engagement Rings?
Matching engagement rings are rings of the same or similar designs worn by an engaged couple. Two people exchange them on their engagement day and wear them till the wedding day to mark their new happy status.
Matching rings do not necessarily mean identical rings. Two bands can feature a closely similar style or pick up each other’s prominent elements like a stone, a setting style, or a metal combination and be different yet in harmony with each other.
So if you do not feel like sporting two pairs of identical rings (engagement bands plus wedding bands), consider choosing the jewelry items that, in all their similarity, have their own distinctive look and feel.
There are no strict rules around how identical or different matching rings should be, so follow your idea of matching and add to the rings something that is unique to your love story. It will be the best connecting element ever.
Why Couples Choose Matching Engagement Rings
There are several reasons that fuel the desire for matching rings.
- The first reason is the strive for a more equal footing in relationships from the very start, where not one but two people show their commitment and engagement status. If earlier only a woman was given a ring by a man (and a man was to propose and to initiate every next step of the relationship), now each person in a couple can make the first move and propose - and give a ring, correspondingly.
Getting two matching engagement rings simultaneously feels just right, in a nutshell.
- The next reason is the wish to signal the committed status, both for him and for her. This symbol slyly invites congratulations and compliments and at the same time averts unwanted attention from singles. A ring on the finger speaks volumes, after all.
- Celebrities also pave the way for this new trend.
Ed Sheeran wears an engagement ring proudly together with his fiancee. They explain that it makes them feel closer and more connected to each other even before the big day. So, as all things done by celebs, matching rings duo is also bound to gain traction.
- Finally, men’s fashion slowly transforms from very restrained and solemn into more relaxed and experimental, incorporating more expressive jewelry and bright colors, among others. So why not include an elegant engagement ring into the look, creating a more stylish and even quiet luxury vibe. Fine jewelry is the best timeless accessory, no matter what trends may ebb and flow with seasons.
But why matching rings, you may ask? Because this styling decision elevates a ring from one more in a stack to the special ring that draws all the attention to itself. Plus, when rings share important symbolic elements and meanings, it really makes them tokens of the couple's connection and devotion, two delicate links that unite two life paths into one.
Popular Styles of Matching Engagement Rings
Minimalist
This is the fail-proof solution that always works well. A minimal design fits into practically every personal style and matches the majority of jewelry trends. Besides, choosing or creating a pair of matching engagement rings in a minimalist design is relatively easy. Two slim bands of the same metal, with a stone or without stones, probably with a small interesting detail like a slight curve or a recess, are as simple and profound as your decision to get engaged and join your lives.
But minimalism is not for everyone, we have to admit, and there are plenty of other options open to you.
Solitaire
This is the most versatile and loved style in men’s and women’s jewelry. A prominent stone in the centre of a simple band is the eternal design of rings throughout human history. From Roman gemma rings to opulent Victorian rings with colored gems, solitaires never went out of style.
So if you want something eye-catching but still easy to replicate in rings for him and her, go for a solitaire. Pick a mind-boggling diamond, a deep and mysterious sapphire, an emerald or topaz - the stone will fit perfectly into masculine and more feminine designs.
A ring for him will have a wider, more massive band and a smaller stone (probably even smaller than the width of the band), for a balanced look, but the stone itself and the metal type will be matching elements. Each ring will have its distinct appearance and yet they will form a harmonious pair, a perfect symbol for you as a couple in love.
If you want something really special in a ring, choose unique stones, like moss agate, moonstone, rutilated quartz, or sunstone. The stones alone will make people notice the rings and ask questions, yet they won’t be overwhelming or too blingy for masculine designs. A wide band of white gold or silver with mesmerizing and forest-evoking moss agate is a statement piece in itself, elevating any outfit of a man to the next level of elegance and coolness.
It's a great idea to match the shapes of stones in the rings. A marquise stone, a round stone, a baguette, or a trillion (triangular) stone will look equally amazing and expensive in rings for him and for her. This stone replication is also an important element in the creation of matching engagement rings, so don’t skip it.
Pave
Pave means paved with small stones, and it’s a great idea when you want to get rings that sparkle but not too much. The whole band will be covered in stones and will exude the feel of a sparkling river, but at the same time, the ring won’t look too theatrical or bold. A ring for her may be slimmer, with additional elements on the band like milgrain or sculptural details. A ring for him will be more reserved, with round or baguette stones paving the band and making a fashion and commitment statement, demurely but firmly, so to speak.
Engraved
It’s the option loved and preferred by many couples, because in all its seeming simplicity, the engraving carries a strong symbolic meaning. It can be a date, a phrase, a name of the place - anything that holds a special meaning in your romantic journey. When engraved and put on a finger, it serves as a beautiful reminder of a special moment or a deep connection that you two share.
This type of matching engagement rings is very profound and moves beyond the realm of decorative jewelry. It’s a talisman, a token that you create and share as a couple and no one else can copy and claim it as their own.
In this case, it’s a 100% match, if that's what you look for in matching engagement rings.
How to Choose the Right Matching Engagement Rings
It makes sense to decide first if you plan to buy two new rings or if one ring will be an heirloom piece passed down from generation to generation.
If an heirloom piece enters the stage, the matching ring for a partner should reference the style of an existing jewel.
A colored gem solitaire? A ring to match should sport the stone of the same color. A fancy Art Nouveau piece with intricate detailing? A matching ring will pick up a prominent detail or a general shape. A big diamond boulder? Add a small diamond in the centre of a matching ring.
These rules make it clear that an important heirloom piece influences the design decisions, not vice versa.
On the other hand, if you purchase two rings at once, you can experiment with design and your idea of matching as much as you want. The sky (and the budget) is the limit.
The only rule is that a man’s ring will be more restrained and less ornamental than a ring for a woman. Most likely, it will be more massive, with a wider band to match a broader and more muscular palm. But this rule is also very flexible today.
Other than that, you can go for bi- and tri-metallic rings, solitaires, rings with colored stones, rings made of unique materials, and whatnot. The only consideration is that you both should like the design and its realization because you’ll be wearing these rings on your fingers till the wedding and beyond.
To be on the safe side in this important endeavour, team up with jewellers you trust and come up with the design together. The YourAsteria team has ample experience in creating unique, understated and stylish rings for couples, so you and your partner won’t be disappointed with the result of your ring-hunting journey.
Tips for Buying Matching Engagement Rings
Choose together
The most important point about engagement rings, whether matching or not, is that you both should enjoy wearing them. So choosing the design together is the key. When you agree on the general design and a stone, the details are much easier to settle even when you work with jewelers one-on-one, crafting your own ring. With this approach, rings will share the most prominent design similarities and look matching and complementing each other, while smaller details won’t distract from the general shape but add individuality to each ring, if you want.
Set a budget
When you know how much you can spend, it’s easier to decide on the stones and the amount of details. Simpler, minimalist rings will cost less, while larger stones and more intricate models will make you spend more. And mind that you’re paying for not one but two rings.
So before setting the budget, remind yourself that you’re going to need wedding bands later, estimate how much they may cost, and plan your budget for two pairs of rings accordingly.
It may seem like a really big splurge, but actually, with the help of experienced jewelers, you can design beautiful engagement rings without breaking the bank and still have some money left to spend on decent wedding bands.
Consider how the rings will work with wedding bands
Engagement rings will be worn with wedding bands, so before settling for design, imagine what wedding bands would do. If wedding rings will be a secondary accessory and not a primary concern, you can pull out all the stops for engagement rings design. If wedding bands have a special meaning for you, their design should stand out yet complement the looks of engagement rings - and for both rings, for you and your loved one.
Add special symbolic touches
Matching engagement rings for a couple are already a strong symbolic message, but you still can make it more personal and special for the two of you. Include a stone that reminds of some special place or a month, get a hidden engraving inside the band that only a wearer can see, you get what we mean.
In such a way, these rings will create a powerful connection for you without attracting unwanted questions. These details are very intimate and discreet, but they make the rings absolutely special, like no others.
Work with a trusted jeweler
To achieve everything we listed here, you need to work with someone you can trust and ask all sorts of questions before committing to a design. A skilled jeweler will help you choose the optimal model easy to modify for male and female versions, will nudge towards interesting stone options, and make this whole process of choosing simpler to navigate.
Each couple is unique, with their tastes and little tender secrets they want to preserve in their wedding jewelry, and it’s perfectly fine. At YourAsteria, our team of designers and jewelers who handcraft each piece with precision will collaborate with you to make your vision come true. Creating matching engagement rings is not an easy fit, yet we know we can do it, and so can you, with a bit of our help.
Where to Buy Matching Engagement Rings
Since there are many details to account for, purchase or order custom pieces only from jewelry shops that can guarantee quality and compliance with your ideas and needs. You may need to adjust something later, after wearing rings for a while, or add something special to the design.
It becomes possible only if you partner with professionals who do it daily by hand and so can introduce changes with confidence and alter the rings without changing the initial design.
YourAsteria is always here for you to provide skilled jewelry handcrafting and to guide you on your journey for a perfect pair of engagement rings. Design them from scratch or tweak an existing design - it’s all up to you as long as you rely on our skills, expertise and passion for exquisite handcrafted jewelry.
FAQs About Matching Engagement Rings
Is it OK for a man to wear an engagement ring?
Today, it’s totally OK for a man to wear an engagement ring as well, and it has even become a fashion trend. So choose a pair of matching rings confidently.
Who should buy these rings?
It depends on your relationship as a couple. You can buy rings for each other secretly, but then the rings may not match. You can also choose and buy rings together, then you’ll pick the matching designs and will know how these rings reflect each other and how they look on your hands.
Are there obligatory styling rules?
Nope. It’s all up to you. Choose what appeals to you. Just know in advance whether you want engagement rings to work in synchronicity with wedding bands or to stand out in the stack. Then start hunting for rings with this idea in mind.
What hand should a man wear this ring on?
It depends on the general tradition for engagement rings. A man and a woman wear these rings on the same hand, whether a left (US) or right (some European countries) one. Later on, a wedding band will be added to it and form a permanent set.
Conclusion
As you see, getting matching engagement rings is a valid idea and a trend that is gaining traction, so you and your loved one will wear them confidently and happily, as tokens of love and commitment. Times are changing, and displaying affection and connection becomes normalized for women and men alike. And we are totally proud of this trend and happy to help you get rings that will truly reflect and celebrate your romantic story and tender feelings for each other!
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