Getting married is one of the most important and romantic steps you can take in life, and choosing the wedding bands that you will wear to symbolise that commitment is a key part of the planning process.  At PA Jewellery, we aim to make the experience as straightforward, and hopefully enjoyable, as possible.  So, what can you expect when you visit for a wedding ring consultation?

The first thing you will notice is the relaxed environment.  No pushy salespeople or pressure to make a fast decision.  Our showroom is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable jewellers who are here to answer your questions, explain your options, and hopefully find a ring that is perfect for you.  We’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision, so that you will be happy with your wedding ring for many anniversaries to come. 

Secondly, our extensive range means you will be spoilt for choice.  We aim to have something for everyone, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for with one of our carefully chosen suppliers, there is also the option of having a bespoke ring produced in our workshop. 

When you first visit to choose your wedding rings, your jeweller will ask some initial questions to establish the general style and material you are looking for and the budget you are hoping to work to.  This will help us to show you the right kind of rings to begin your search.  If you really don’t know what you’d like then we can guide you through the basics first and follow your preferences to narrow down the choice. 

We have hundreds of sample rings that you can try, showcasing a wide variety of styles: classic plain bands, both traditional and modern patterns, and sparkling diamond-set creations, all available in a full range of precious metals.  If you are on the lookout for something a bit different from the traditional precious metals, we also stock titanium, tungsten carbide and Sheffield steel ranges with a variety of modern finishes.

Your wedding band is likely to the be the most sentimentally precious piece of jewellery you will own, and we therefore try to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about which material and design are right for you.  Some metals are more durable or wear better than others, while some designs are more or less suitable for everyday wear.  Your jeweller will explain the differences between the materials and ask lifestyle questions that will help them advise on how suitable, or not, a particular design is. 

These factors are among the less romantic to be discussed when choosing your wedding ring but are hugely important in ensuring you will remain happy with your choice and avoiding future disappointment.  They may include the relative durability of different setting styles if you are choosing a diamond ring or any limitations in adjusting certain materials should your finger size alter in the future. 

Most rings will need to be ordered to your specification, so that all the details are as you would prefer them.  This can often take between three and six weeks from most suppliers, so it is important to leave enough time to both select and then order your chosen design (and additional time is always helpful to avoid unnecessary panic in the run-up to the big day!) 

For bespoke pieces made through our on-site workshop, the timescale will largely depend on the complexity of the piece, how long it takes to perfect the design and how many processes are required to make it.  Some designs are spot-on first time, while others can need tweaking before you are happy to proceed.  Once the go-ahead has been given to make the final ring, it will need to be either handmade or cast, hallmarked, have diamonds or other stones set into it (if it is having them) and finally polished.  Some of these are specialist jobs that are completed off-site, so more complicated designs do take longer to make.

Our workshop specialises in producing shaped wedding bands, designed to sit perfectly with your engagement ring.  While many modern engagement rings can sit next to a standard wedding band neatly, some designs with twists or more unusual shapes, require a bespoke band to get the flush look that is generally preferred.  We typically produce a sample ring first, in silver, so you can try it on and ensure you are satisfied with the shape.  Then the design is cast in the correct metal to match your ring.  If you are having diamonds set into the piece, it is usual to review the band again after casting, to double check the size, before setting the stones.  In this way, problems can be rectified before they grow too big, and you have the opportunity to feel more involved in the process. 

For some designs where handmaking isn’t the most appropriate method of manufacture, we may turn to more modern methods.  We have an on-site CAD specialist who can 3-D scan your engagement ring and produce a computerised design for your wedding band.  A render of the new ring can be produced for you to look at, and where necessary a resin model for you to view.

To add to the sentimental importance of their wedding bands, many customers choose to have them handmade using gold from family jewellery.  This can be melted down and transformed into a new band in the width and profile of your choice.  You can even set diamonds (your own or supplied by us) into the band to add some sparkle!  We can work with your gold or platinum in most cases. 

Much inherited family jewellery is classic yellow gold and the most popular colour for bridal jewellery is white (white gold or platinum) so it might appear that using your own metal is not an option.  However, our goldsmiths are able to create beautiful wedding bands that feature your own precious yellow gold at their heart, with your choice of precious white metal as a sleeve around it.  This means the ring appears to be white, while holding the extra sentiment within, and is a great way of having the best of both worlds!

Some of our most popular plain and diamond-set wedding bands, as well as limited styles in our alternative metals (titanium, steel etc) can be browsed on our website, but for a fuller selection (including different finishes and patterns) and to try on samples (an invaluable part of the selection process!) visit our showroom.  You don’t need an appointment to visit, so just pop in when it is convenient for you.