Gay Engagement Rings

Congratulations! You’ve found that special someone to love and cherish, and you are ready to make the ultimate commitment to each other. You’re going to have a wedding! Now, where do you get the ring? Wedding rings play an important role in gay and lesbian marriages. They not only symbolize your love, but they also let others know of the commitment you have made to each other. You’ll wear your ring every day for the rest of your life, so take the time to ensure you have chosen the perfect one.

Budget

The first thing you should consider when purchasing a wedding ring is your budget. Make sure you know what you can afford to spend before you go shopping. This is an emotional purchase, but when it comes to what you can afford to spend, try not to let emotions to get in the way. By having a clear understanding of your finances before you go shopping, you will be on your way to a great start.

Style

There are countless options when it comes to the style of your ring. You’ll have to decide on the gems, metals, and other symbols you’ll be able to incorporate into your ring.

Type of band metal

Precious metals are thought to be used to ensure the wealth of the union. There are many options available on the market today, and deciding on the type of band metal will be one of your first decisions in purchasing your engagement ring.

Gold

Gold is the most popular wedding band metal used today, with yellow gold being more popular than white or rose gold. When purchasing a gold ring, it is important to consider the wear and tear it will go through. While 24 karat gold is the most pure gold on the market, there may be reasons to choose lower karat gold. The lower the karat rating, the higher the hardness rating, and the more durable the ring will be.

Silver

If you plan on wearing your wedding ring only occasionally or for special occasions specifically, then silver might be a great choice for you. Due to the high oxidiation that takes place in silver, this metal is not recommended for everyday wear.

Platinum

While platinum tends to run about twice the price of gold, it is significantly more durable. Platinum is almost entirely pure metal at about 95% and resists nicks and scratches.

Platinum also looks fantastic. Due to its pureness, platinum has a natural brilliance, and can make the simplest designs look sophisticated and amazing.

Tungsten & Titanium

If you’re looking for a durable ring that you can wear every day, tungsten and titanium rings are much stronger than gold, silver, and platinum.

They are both highly scratch-resistant. Titanium is the strongest metal in the world but it’s very lightweight.

While tungsten is a heavier metal, it will also keep its shine. One factor to keep in mind when choosing a tungsten or titanium ring is that neither metal can be soldered, so resizing is not an option.

Stones and Gems

While a diamond is perfectly acceptable, a popular choice for gay and lesbian wedding bands is one made up of the six colors of the gay pride rainbow flag: red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), blue (serenity), and violet (spirit).

Another popular option is wearing your partner’s birthstone, or wearing both your and your partner’s birthstone on the same ring.

Symbols

Some couples choose to adorn their wedding band with a symbol. Symbols can be shown using gems, two-toned gold, engravings, carvings, and certain colors.

Male Symbol

The male symbol is the astrological sign for the planet Mars. The circle represents spirit and the arrow represents strength. Two intertwined male symbols represent gay pride and love between men.

Triangle

Another popular symbol is the triangle. The triangle is a reclaimed symbol of the gay community, as it comes from what was originally a hateful symbol. During the Third Reich in Germany, Hitler used a pink downward-pointing triangle to mark gay men. Today, gay men have taken that triangle and pointed it upward, symbolizing fighting back and standing up for gay rights.

Female Symbol

Lesbian couples may chose to display the female symbol, the astrological sign for the planet Venus. Like Mars, two intertwined female symbols represent gay pride and love between women.

Choosing a Ring for Your Partner

Planning to surprise your partner when you pop the question? How do you know what your partner will like in a ring? Take a look at the jewelry he or she currently wears. Is there one metal they wear more often? What type of style is their current jewelry? Do they prefer simple or more lavish designs? These are all clues that will help you understand your partner’s preference.

On the off chance that your partner envisioned something different, remember to keep the receipt and check the return policy. In addition, if you plan on a personal engraving, it’s best to wait until after you’re sure your partner loves their ring. Engraving the ring right before your ceremony can be a wonderful surprise.

Where to Purchase

Local jewelers have the advantage of letting you try on different rings. However, they may not have a wide variety of gay & lesbian wedding bands for you to choose from. You can try a jeweler that makes custom creations, but if the jeweler is uncomfortable with same-sex marriages, you run the risk of spoiling your shopping experience. Look through gay culture magazines to figure out if there is a gay-friendly jeweler located near you. Gayweddings.com offers a nation-wide directory of gay-friendly jewelers.

Another option is to shop online. Several websites advertise gay and lesbian wedding bands, with a huge selection to choose from. Keep in mind, though, when the ring is delivered, it may not live up to what you envisioned. Also, sizing a ring can be a bit more difficult when purchased online.

When buying a ring online, make certain to verify the company’s return policy. Loveandpride.com offer a wide range of beautiful gay and lesbian wedding rings, designed by Udi Behr. They also offer a 30 day return policy, and free shipping. If you plan to have your ring engraved, you may choose to have the engraving done locally, as with most websites, engraving renders the ring un-returnable.

Which Finger is the Ring Finger

In ancient times, the Romans believed that the third finger of the left hand held the veins that led straight to your heart, which is why this finger was chosen as the “ring finger”. Many gay couples choose to wear their rings on the left hand ring finger.

Some couples may want a less public showing of the ring, and choose to wear their ring on their right hand ring finger. Other couples choose their right hand ring finger to symbolize that their wedding is different from a heterosexual marriage, and they are proud of it. Another tradition is having the couple wear their rings on matching fingers.

There are no rules as to what finger your wedding band needs to be worn on. You and your partner should decide based on what’s more appropriate and appealing for you.

Purchasing the perfect ring doesn’t have to be a stressful encounter. Choose a ring that compliments you, that makes you happy, makes your partner happy, and will forever remind you of the love and commitment you have for each other.