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Wedding Bands

Wedding bands symbolise eternal love and commitment to your partner.  Exchanged between partners in the wedding ceremony and symbolising unity, harmony and marital status, these rings can be plain, engraved, patterned, and varying metals such as yellow gold, white gold and platinum.  The practice of brides wearing wedding rings dates back centuries, as far back as ancient Egypt, but has only become popular for men since the mid 20th century when men began wearing them during WWII to express their commitment to their wives at home.  At Friar House we have a large and varied collection of wedding bands.

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Antique and vintage wedding bands

The plain wedding band has changed less in outward form than almost any other category of jewellery, but antique wedding bands still differ from modern wedding rings in construction and profile. Victorian and Edwardian wedding bands are often narrower and more rounded in profile than contemporary wedding rings, typically in 18 or 22 carat gold, while Art Deco wedding bands sometimes carry engraved geometric detailing or a faceted profile rather than a plain rounded band. Diamond-set eternity-style wedding bands, worn alongside or in place of a plain wedding band, became more common through the 20th century.

Matching a wedding band to an existing engagement ring is worth planning carefully - profile, metal colour and width all affect how comfortably a wedding ring and wedding band set sits together on the finger, and antique wedding bands do not always sit flush against a modern engagement ring's setting.

Styles in our wedding band collection

We stock plain gold wedding bands, engraved Art Deco wedding rings and diamond-set wedding bands from across our antique and vintage range, for both women and men. Men's wedding rings and men's wedding bands feature alongside more traditional women's wedding bands, giving you a wide choice of wedding rings to complete a wedding ring and wedding band set.

Our art deco wedding rings are particularly popular for their geometric detailing and luxurious finishes, offering a wedding band with genuine period character rather than a plain modern circle. Antique wedding bands throughout our collection reflect the craftsmanship and style of the era they were made in.

Buying a wedding band: what to look for

If you already have an engagement ring, bring it in or send us a photograph and we can suggest wedding bands from our collection likely to sit well alongside it. Resizing is usually more straightforward on a plain wedding band than on a stone-set ring, though engraved or faceted wedding bands need extra care during alteration to preserve the pattern.

Ask us before buying if preserving an engraved pattern on an antique wedding band matters to you - not every wedding ring in our collection can be resized without affecting the design, and we would rather advise you upfront.

Visit us or browse online

Our wedding bands collection changes regularly as new pieces come in. Contact us directly if you are searching for a specific profile or period, or visit our shop at 29 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, open Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 17:00.

Expertly Curated ByVictoria Dahms Victoria DahmsAntique Jewellery Expert
Victoria has 30 years experience curating the finest antique and vintage jewellery
Victoria's Story
Questions

Common Questions

Victorian wedding bands are most commonly in 22ct gold - a rich, deep yellow colour not often seen today - or 18ct. From 1854 onward, 15ct and 9ct became available as additional British standards, and both appear in Victorian and Edwardian wedding rings. Platinum wedding bands appear from the Edwardian period onward. We always state the metal and carat clearly in every listing.

Absolutely. Antique eternity rings make beautiful alternatives to plain wedding bands and are very much in the tradition of how these pieces were originally given and worn. They combine the symbolism of the unbroken circle with the added brilliance of diamonds. They pair beautifully with an antique engagement ring from the same period - a matching Victorian or Edwardian set is a particularly lovely combination.

Yes - five stone rings work beautifully alongside a solitaire engagement ring as a wedding ring alternative, and were historically worn in this way. Their relatively low profile makes them practical for everyday wear. The symmetrical diamond line has a classic elegance that suits most hand shapes and pairs naturally with both plain and diamond-set bands.

Plain gold bands can generally be resized up or down by one to two sizes by a skilled jeweller. Engraved bands require careful work to preserve the decoration across any size change. Very thin or very narrow bands and those with continuous stone settings are more limited. We can advise on the resizability of any specific piece before purchase.

Completely - many couples choose antique wedding bands and find the idea of a ring with its own history deeply meaningful rather than a concern. An antique band that has survived because it was well made and cherished comes to you ready for a new chapter. The symbolism of the unbroken circle is identical whether the ring was made last year or 150 years ago. We never represent previously owned rings as anything other than what they are.

Yes - most plain antique gold wedding bands can be engraved on the inside with a date, initials, or short dedication by a skilled hand engraver. Machine engraving is also possible but hand engraving produces a more sympathetic result for an antique ring. Very thin or narrow bands have limited interior space, so a long inscription may not be possible - we are happy to advise on what would fit for any specific piece.

Our wedding band collection includes plain polished bands in yellow and white gold and platinum, engraved bands with period floral or geometric motifs, engine-turned bands with precision patterned surfaces, and bands with small diamond or gemstone settings. D-profile bands - flat inside, domed outside - were the traditional British wedding ring form for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries and feature strongly in our collection.