Pop the Questions with Nicole Wegman of Ring Concierge: “What's the secret to picking the perfect wedding rings?”

Have a burning wedding planning question on your mind? Pop the question to our Zola advisors on Team-Z!

Dear Team-Z, My fiance and I are in need of some major help picking out wedding rings because we are stuck. I’ve always dreamed of getting personalized rings that are totally unique to us, but my partner prefers classic rings and just wants a simple gold or platinum band.

So, you can see, we're at a crossroads. We want rings that reflect our tastes and will last long without breaking the bank. So, how do we find a happy medium?

~ Ringing in the Future

---

Dear Ringing in the Future, you’ve definitely got a tall order on your hands, but we’ve got just the right experts to help.

Zola sat down with Nicole Wegman, Founder and CEO of leading luxury jeweler Ring Concierge, to reveal all the secrets to picking the right engagement and wedding rings together. Plus, she answers more of couples’ top questions couples about wedding ring costs, and maintenance, and making sure their rings, traditional or trendy, stand the test of time.

---

So, Nicole, what’s the verdict? Should Ringing in the Future opt for more unique rings vs. simple bands, or should they compromise?

Nicole: This is such a common question we get from couples when choosing their rings. You’re going to be wearing them all day, every day so opt for a style you will love for years to come. More than ever before, couples are opting for more than one wedding band which allows them to switch up their look depending on what they’re doing. This is a great way to have the best of both - unique and simple.

Instead of “compromise”, I’d say “complement”. Try your wedding bands and engagement ring on together to ensure they complement each other! If you can’t make it in person, seek out photo inspo (like on Instagram @ringconcierge). Don’t be afraid to play around with different shapes. If you still aren’t sure where to start, matching your engagement ring is fail-proof!

---

What factors should couples consider when choosing the right wedding bands or gemstones for them?

Nicole: Really think through how you want to wear them. Do you want to stack them with your engagement ring or let them stand on their own? From there, take into consideration lifestyle. If you’re hard on your hands, the stones you select should reflect that. Avoid emerald gemstones as they are very soft compared to a sapphire or diamond.

Also, consider the diamond faceting pattern of your engagement ring. It doesn’t hurt to mix and match!

---

It’s no secret that more custom can often mean more costly. Do you have any tips for getting a quality ring within any budget range?

Nicole: Knowing your diamonds and the differences between them that affect pricing can help you get the look for the ring you want on any budget.

Each diamond shape shows color and clarity differently. For example, an Emerald Cut hides color well, allowing you to easily work in the near-colorless range without sacrificing beauty. However, due to its hall-of-mirrors look, an Emerald Cut shows inclusions very easily, meaning you need to prioritize clarity.

By playing around with the color and clarity of a diamond based on shape, you can maximize your budget!

---

Speaking of color and clarity, we know you’re the expert. Can you explain the 4 Cs for diamonds, and how they impact prices for engagement and wedding rings?

Nicole: Of course! So the ‘4 Cs’ are Color, Clarity, Carat, and Cut.

Color is the absence of warmth/yellow found in the stone, on a scale from D to Z. D is completely colorless, and Z is light yellow or brown in color. Colorless diamonds are very rare, resulting in a higher price point. As diamonds form, they develop natural birthmarks called inclusions.

Clarity grades a diamond based on the number, size, type, color, and location of inclusions. Clarity is determined under 10x magnification. The higher a diamond is on the clarity scale, the higher the price point.

Carat is how a diamond’s weight is measured. Although related to size, two diamonds with the same carat weight can look very different based on their shape and weight distribution. The larger the diamond carat, the more expensive the diamond.

Cut refers to the shape of the diamond or to the quality of the craftsmanship of the diamond. Only round diamonds receive a cut grade, which is determined by how well-proportioned the diamond is. The cut grade is a measure of how each part of the stone has been crafted to maximize sparkle.

Diamond shapes include Oval, Round Brilliant, Emerald, Pear, Cushion, Old Euro, Old Mine, and more! Round Brilliant cuts are the most expensive shape per carat because the diamond cutter loses the most rough diamond in the process.

---

Can you tell us about the latest and/or upcoming trends in wedding ring designs?

Nicole: Bold, thicker statement pieces are trending across all jewelry, and engagement rings are no exception. Couples are starting to opt for thicker settings and even a millimeter or two more can achieve that look!

---

It's so important that after finding the perfect rings, you take care of them so they stay perfect for as long as possible (forever even). What maintenance can be expected for wedding rings over time?

Nicole: Over time with wear, the prongs can loosen slightly, so engagement rings will require annual prong tightening to ensure your diamond is always secure.

Fine jewelry crafted with solid gold or platinum is durable enough for daily wear and you never have to worry about tarnishing but it doesn’t hurt to clean your jewelry weekly to ensure it is always sparkling.

---

What are the best and worst (or easiest vs. hardest) types of rings to take care of?

Nicole: Diamond rings are the easiest type of ring to take care of! They are the hardest minerals known to man and only another diamond can cut them.

Pearl rings are one of the hardest types of rings to take care of because they are so soft so we tend not to recommend them.

---

There you have it! Zola’s Team-Z and the experts at Ring Concierge are no strangers to helping couples find their middle ground all along their wedding planning journey and beyond. By considering each other's tastes and exploring different options, you can find engagement and wedding rings that are both unique, traditional, and perfectly made for you!