Diamond Wedding Rings: What You Need to Know
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A diamond wedding ring can be as understated or as eye-catching as you want it to be.
You might choose a narrow band with a few diamonds running across the front, a half-set wedding ring with more coverage, or a full eternity ring with diamonds all the way around.
The right choice often comes down to how much sparkle you want, how the ring sits with your engagement ring and how you want the finished wedding set to look.
At Lester & Brown Jewellers, our current wedding ring collection includes lab-grown diamond bands in different styles, widths and metals.
Women's Lab-Diamond Collection
What is a diamond wedding ring?
A diamond wedding ring is a wedding band that has one or more diamonds set into the metal.
Diamonds can be set in several ways, including claw settings, channel settings and other styles designed to keep the stones secure while showing as much diamond as possible.
The amount of diamond coverage can also vary.
Half eternity vs full eternity rings
Two terms you will often hear are half eternity and full eternity.
A half eternity ring has diamonds set around part of the band, usually across the visible top section.
A full eternity ring has diamonds set around the full circumference of the ring.
The difference is partly about appearance but also about practicality, sizing and how the ring is constructed.
Why choose a half-set diamond wedding ring?
A half-set ring can give you plenty of visible diamond while keeping the underside of the band in plain metal.
This can be a practical option for everyday wear and gives you flexibility when it comes to the overall look.
It is also particularly useful if you want diamonds to be visible when the ring is worn alongside an engagement ring but don't necessarily want diamonds underneath the finger.
What is a full eternity ring?
A full eternity ring has diamonds set around the entire band.
This creates a continuous circle of diamonds, so the ring has sparkle around the whole circumference.
Full eternity rings require careful consideration of finger size and construction, as traditional full eternity designs can be more complicated to resize than a plain or half-set band.
Lab-grown diamond wedding rings
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds produced using technology rather than formed naturally underground.
The finished material is diamond, and lab-grown diamonds are increasingly available across engagement rings, eternity rings and wedding bands.
Lester & Brown currently offers lab-grown diamond wedding and eternity rings, including platinum and 18K gold options.
Women's Lab-Diamond Collection
What metal works best with a diamond wedding ring?
Diamond wedding rings can be made in different precious metals.
Platinum
A naturally white metal that works well with white diamonds and gives the ring a clean, bright appearance.
18K yellow gold
A warmer metal that creates a contrast against white diamonds.
18K rose gold
A softer warm colour that gives a diamond wedding band a different look from traditional white metals.
18K white gold
A bright white metal usually finished with rhodium plating.
The choice is ultimately about the combination you prefer rather than there being one correct metal for every diamond wedding ring.
Should your diamond wedding ring match your engagement ring?
It can, but it does not need to.
A platinum engagement ring can be paired with yellow gold.
A plain engagement ring can be paired with a diamond-set band.
And an engagement ring with plenty of diamonds can be balanced with a simpler wedding band.
The important thing is how the two rings work together on your hand.
What about a Wedfit diamond wedding ring?
Wedfit becomes particularly relevant when your engagement ring has been designed so that a straight wedding band can sit directly alongside it.
The raised setting allows the wedding band to sit underneath or alongside the centre stone without leaving a large gap.
That wedding band could be completely plain, or it could be diamond set.
If you are designing an engagement ring and know that you want a diamond wedding band later, it is worth discussing the two rings together.
Choosing the diamond setting
Different diamond settings create very different looks.
Claw set — individual claws hold each diamond while leaving plenty of the stone visible.
Channel set — diamonds sit within a channel of metal, creating a clean continuous appearance.
Other setting styles can be used depending on the design, stone size and profile of the ring.
Your choice will affect both the appearance and the feel of the finished ring.
How wide should a diamond wedding ring be?
This depends partly on the size and style of the diamonds.
A very narrow band can give a delicate appearance, while a wider band can carry larger stones or a more substantial setting.
It also needs to work with your engagement ring.
This is why trying the actual rings together is so useful.
Can I have a bespoke diamond wedding ring?
Yes.
A bespoke wedding ring can be designed around your existing engagement ring, your preferred width and the style of diamond setting you like.
This can be particularly useful when your engagement ring is unusually shaped, has a low centre stone or needs a specific contour.
At Lester & Brown, bespoke jewellery is made through our Cheshire workshop, allowing the design to be considered as a complete set rather than as two completely separate rings.
FAQs
Are lab-grown diamonds suitable for wedding rings?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are used in wedding bands and eternity rings as well as engagement rings. Lester & Brown currently offers lab-grown diamond wedding and eternity rings.
What is the difference between half and full eternity?
A half eternity has diamonds across part of the band, while a full eternity has diamonds around the entire band.
Can a diamond wedding ring sit flush against an engagement ring?
Yes, provided the engagement ring setting and wedding ring are designed to work together. Wedfit designs are specifically intended to allow a straight wedding band to sit flush alongside the engagement ring.
Should my diamond wedding ring be platinum or gold?
Both can work beautifully. The decision is primarily about the colour, finish, feel and how you want your wedding set to look.
Can I have a bespoke diamond wedding ring?
Yes. A bespoke ring can be designed around the shape and setting of your existing engagement ring.
Summary
Diamond wedding rings range from simple half-set bands to full eternity rings covered in diamonds.
The right choice depends on the amount of sparkle you want, the metal you prefer and how the wedding ring works alongside your engagement ring.
If you want the wedding ring to sit flush, consider the engagement ring setting and whether a Wedfit design would suit your plans.