Wedding Ring Guard

About Guards

A wedding ring guard is a specialized type of wedding band designed to coordinate closely with the engagement ring. These diamond ring guards are usually part of bridal set engagement rings, but specialized jewelers can often customize a guard to suit any engagement ring. Also called diamond ring wraps and diamond ring enhancers, guards have many advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

The advantages of guard-style wedding bands include:

• Cost: If purchased as a set with the engagement ring, ring guards are often a more affordable style than two distinct rings.
• Security: Guards are specifically designed to help protect delicate engagement rings, particularly diamond solitaire engagement rings. Using a guard can help ensure that the engagement ring will be just as brilliant after many anniversaries as it was on the day it was first worn.
• Coordination: Ring guards coordinate beautifully to create elegant sets rather than simply putting two rings side by side. That coordination can turn a relatively simple engagement ring into a stunning wedding ring set.
• Romance: For many couples, the deliberate intertwining of two rings adds an element of continuity and romance to the design and helps symbolize the longevity of their relationship.
• Flexibility: A guard can be designed to suit a very unique engagement ring that may not be able to be worn with a plain wedding band.

Disadvantages

At the same time, there are several disadvantages to guards that may make them less appealing.

• Dependence: A wedding ring guard is dependent on the engagement ring it encircles – it cannot be worn alone. This can be problematic for a woman who cannot wear her engagement ring continually or who prefers simple jewelry for everyday wear.
• Heirloom Limitations: If a guard is chosen as the wedding band, the associated engagement ring cannot be used as an heirloom engagement ring without rendering the guard incomplete.
• Potential Damage: Guards are typically soldered to their respective engagement rings to form a single, solid ring, but this can destroy any engagement ring engraving that was placed on the ring earlier. If the rings are not soldered together, the guard may inadvertently scratch the engagement ring if it becomes loose.

Popular Wedding Ring Guard Designs

Guards turn a plain ring into a stunning wedding set.

Despite the limitations of guards and ring sets, they do offer couples many beautiful designs to choose from. Popular characteristics of bridal sets include:

• A variety of diamond shapes available for the center stone, often surrounded by round, baguette, emerald, or princess cut accent stones.
• Multiple guard configurations, including double band guards that have a guard on each side of the engagement ring as well as single-side wrap designs.
• Different choices of precious metals, including both white and yellow gold as well as platinum engagement rings and wedding guards.
• Different total carat weight designs to meet all budgets and preferences.
• A variety of setting options, though channel settings are the most popular for guard designs. The engagement band, however, may use different engagement ring settings.

For more design options, visit the Pictures of Bridal Sets photo gallery.

Finding a Guard

Couples can find a wedding ring guard at nearly any jewelry or engagement ring store. Bridal sets are available from both chain retailers and independent jewelers, though if a couple hopes to find a guard to match an unusual engagement ring they may find a more limited selection and might need to investigate a customized ring. Both familiar chain stores as well as couture jewelry designers offer bridal sets and guards, though the quality, cost, and design options can vary greatly.

Wearing a Guard

Traditionally, a wedding ring is worn closest to the hand, with the engagement ring worn alongside it on the same finger. The same is true for ring guards – the side of the engagement ring where the guard lays is considered the wedding ring side and should be closer to the hand. If the guard has equal bands on either side of the engagement ring, however, it can be worn in any way. Typically the bands are soldered together before the couple’s wedding so the bride can wear her rings comfortably from the moment of “I do.” Couples should be aware, however, that it can take a week or longer for a jeweler to solder the rings together, particularly during busy wedding months.

A wedding ring guard is a lovely option to complete the promise first made with the engagement ring. With a variety of styles available, interested couples are sure to find a guard set perfect for their budget and their engagement ring, and it is an ideal way to guard the promises both rings make.