Wedding Bands and Anniversary Rings

Metal and stone: what the ring is really made of

Metals behave differently. Tungsten carbide bands are very hard and resist scratches, but they cannot normally be resized. Sterling silver is softer and can tarnish, and white-gold plating adds brightness but wears thin with use. Stones vary too: moissanite is a hard, brilliant lab-grown gem, and Akoya pearls need gentle care away from perfume and harsh cleaners. Listings should say whether a stone is natural, lab-grown or simulated, so read that line carefully.

Ring size, width and carat weight explained

Ring sizes are listed as numbers, with half sizes such as 4.5 or 9.5. A wide band feels tighter, so many people go up half a size for a 6 mm width. Check the stone weight line too: it describes all the stones together, not one. A semi-mount setting is sold with side stones but not the center stone, so check what is included.

Questions about Wedding Bands and Anniversary Rings

Can a tungsten ring be resized?

Tungsten carbide is too hard to cut and re-solder, so a ring of the wrong size usually has to be replaced rather than altered. Measure carefully and allow for band width, since wide bands fit more snugly.

What does cttw mean on a ring?

Cttw stands for carat total weight, the combined weight of all the gemstones in the ring, not the size of one stone. A 1 cttw ring with several small stones looks different from a single 1 carat stone. For moissanite, DEW compares it with a diamond of similar apparent size.

How do I find my ring size at home?

Wrap a strip of paper or string around the base of the finger, mark where it overlaps and measure the length, then compare it with a ring size chart. Measure when your hands are warm and at the end of the day, when fingers are largest, and repeat a few times.