Types of Wedding Rings

Pavé and channel-set bands

Pavé and channel-set bands both carry small diamonds. They hold the stones in different ways.

In a pavé band, tiny diamonds sit close together across the surface of the metal. Small beads or prongs hold each one. The word comes from the French for paved, like a stone road. The band looks like it is covered in sparkle.

In a channel-set band, the diamonds sit in a groove between two walls of metal. The walls protect the stones from knocks. The surface stays smooth, so the band does not catch on a sweater or a glove.

Both styles come in many widths. A thin pavé band looks delicate. A wide channel band looks bold. If you want the ring to sparkle from every angle, pick pavé. If you want a smooth feel and a tougher build, pick channel. Either one pairs well with a diamond engagement ring.

Pavé gives the most shine. Channel is the tougher choice for busy hands. Cleaning, inspection and prong tightening are free in our store, so bring a stone-set band in for a check now and then. To compare the two styles, browse our diamond wedding bands.

Sparkle comes from cut. For any diamond, GIA explains that cut quality fuels fire, sparkle and brilliance. Small stones follow the same rule.

Baguette bands

A baguette is a long, narrow diamond with straight edges. It is cut in flat steps instead of round facets. Its name comes from the French word for a long loaf of bread.

Set end to end in a row, baguettes make a clean, glassy line. They look sharp and modern. Rounds flash. Baguettes gleam. Some baguette bands sit in a channel, like the second ring in the picture above. Others place baguettes beside round or square diamonds.

The corners are the weak spot on a baguette, so a channel or bar setting is common. It guards the corners from knocks. Baguette bands suit people who like straight lines and a simple shape. They also pair well with a rectangular or emerald-cut engagement stone, because the straight lines echo each other. See our baguette wedding bands.

Vintage-style bands

Vintage-style bands borrow details from older jewelry. Look for milgrain, which is a row of tiny beads along the edge of the band. Look for filigree, which is thin, lacy metalwork. Other bands copy the sharp lines of Art Deco, a style that took hold in Europe in the 1920s.

A vintage-style band is a new ring made in an older style. It suits an engagement ring with the same look. The trade-off is the detail. Fine metalwork collects dirt and can wear soft over the years, so it needs cleaning more often. Cleaning is free in our store. Browse our vintage wedding bands.

Stackable bands

Stackable bands are thin rings made to be worn together. You wear two, three or more on one finger, beside an engagement ring or on their own.

Each ring can be different. You can mix metals, such as yellow gold beside white gold or platinum. You can mix textures, such as a smooth band beside a twisted one. Some carry small diamonds. Some carry colored gemstones, such as emerald or peridot.

Here is a simple way to build a stack. Start with a base ring you love, such as a plain band. Add a second ring with stones. Add a third with a different texture. Keep the height about the same, so the rings sit flat together.

You can add one ring at a time. Many people start with one and add another for a birthday or an anniversary. Try the stack on before you buy. Rings of different metals rub together and can scratch each other. See our stackable rings.

Men’s wedding bands

Men’s wedding bands are usually wider than women’s bands. Widths from 3 mm to 8 mm are common. Most are plain, so the shape does the work.

A flat band has a straight profile. A knife-edge band rises to a soft ridge. A square band has flat sides. A beveled band has slanted edges. Some men’s bands carry a row of small diamonds. Gold, platinum and palladium are all common metals.

Width affects fit. A wide band fits tighter than a thin band of the same size, so it may need to be a little bigger. Try one on before you decide. Browse our men’s wedding bands.

Matching bands and bridal sets

A matching band is made to go with one engagement ring. It shares the same stones or details, so the two look like a pair. A bridal set, also called a wedding ring set, is an engagement ring and a wedding band made to match. On our site you choose each ring on its own.

Couples can match their bands with each other too. Two bands in the same metal, or with the same edge or finish, read as a pair. Some people match everything. Others match only the metal. There is no rule. Metal color matters when you match, so try to keep the metals close and the colors will agree on your hand. See our wedding bands for couples.

How to narrow it down

Four questions get most people to a short list.

1. How do you spend your day? If your hands are busy, pick a plain band or a channel-set band with a smooth top. Rings with raised stones can snag.
2. What is your engagement ring like? A halo or a wide setting may need a curved band or a ring guard. A simple solitaire takes almost any band. Our guide to engagement ring styles shows the common shapes.
3. Do you want sparkle or calm? Sparkle points to pavé, eternity and baguette bands. Calm points to plain and vintage-style bands.
4. What is your budget? Bands with more stones cost more than plain metal bands. Bands in our collection range from $37 to $7,440.

Once you know the type, the rest follows: width, metal and size. Our guide on how to choose a wedding band covers those steps.