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Two people stand at a jewellery counter. One holds a court band, the other a flat one. The gold is the same, and the width is almost identical, yet one looks soft, and the other looks sharp. This guide covers the gap between how a ring looks in the tray and how it feels after ten years on your finger.
Most types of wedding rings fall into six shapes and three common metals. At Manna Jewellers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, we finish every ring by hand, and you can browse our wedding bands collection while you read. Below, you will find each style, how the metals compare, what drives the price, and how to look after the ring once it is on.
The main types of wedding rings are court, D-shape, flat, flat court, bevelled and diamond set.
Court is the classic curve and the easiest ring to wear all day.
9ct gold is tougher, 18ct has a richer colour, and platinum is dense with a natural white shade.
Width and metal weight move the price more than the shape does.
In the UK, gold over 1 gram and platinum over 0.5 grams must carry a hallmark.
Try the width you plan to buy, because a wide band feels tighter than a slim one.
|
Style |
Shape |
How it feels |
Suits |
|
Court |
Curved outside and inside |
Rounded and comfortable |
Everyday wear, a classic look |
|
D-shape |
Curved outside, flat inside |
Smooth, slightly flatter against the skin |
A sleek, slim profile |
|
Flat |
Flat outside and inside |
Squared and modern |
A contemporary look |
|
Flat court |
Flat outside, curved inside |
Modern face with a comfortable fit |
A modern look with court comfort |
|
Bevelled |
Angled edges on a flat top |
Crisp, catches the light |
A defined, architectural look |
|
Diamond set |
Stones set into or across the band |
Adds sparkle, can sit slightly proud |
Pairing with an engagement ring or wearing alone |
This table summarises wedding ring types by profile. Our guide to wedding band shapes goes deeper on profiles if you want to compare them side by side.
The court ring is the traditional shape, rounded on the outside and the inside. That inner curve helps it sit comfortably, and it is the safe choice if you want a ring you forget you are wearing. It also sits neatly beside most engagement rings.
A D-shape ring is rounded on the outside and flat on the inside, so its cross-section looks like the letter D. People who find a full court band bulky often prefer it.
A flat band has a straight, squared profile on both faces. It looks contemporary, and it shows off a brushed or matte finish well. It can look wider than a court ring of the same measurement, so check it against your hand before you decide.
This style has a flat outer face and a softly curved inside. You get the modern look of a flat band with the comfort of a court ring, which is why it is a popular middle path.
Bevelled bands have angled edges that step down from a flat top. Those edges catch the light, so the ring looks more defined than a plain court. It is a good pick if you like a bit of structure without any stones.
Diamond bands range from a slim row of stones across half the finger to a full eternity ring. A half eternity leaves the underside plain, which many people find more comfortable and easier to resize. Our eternity rings collection shows the range, and our guide to wearing a wedding ring with an engagement ring helps you choose a band that sits well beside a solitaire.
|
Metal |
Purity |
Colour |
Wears |
Worth knowing |
|
9ct gold |
37.5% gold |
Paler yellow |
Tougher, more alloy |
Lower price, good for busy hands |
|
18ct gold |
75% gold |
Richer, deeper yellow |
Softer, shows wear sooner |
Higher price, the traditional choice |
|
Platinum |
Marked 850, 900, 950 or 999 |
Natural white |
Dense, develops a soft patina |
Heaviest of the three, higher price |
Gold also comes in yellow, white and rose. White gold is usually finished with rhodium plating that wears over time and can be renewed, while yellow and rose gold keep their colour throughout. Our guide to yellow, white and rose gold wedding rings compares them, and 9ct vs 18ct gold wedding rings covers purity in detail. If you are leaning towards platinum, read our platinum wedding rings guide first.
Men's rings usually run wider and heavier, so flat court, D-shape and court profiles in a broader width are common choices. Among women's wedding ring styles, you will find everything from a slim court band to a diamond-set ring designed to sit beside an engagement ring. Our guides to the best wedding rings for men and which wedding ring style suits women go through the options for each. Not sure which hand? Our wedding ring finger for men guide answers it.
If you want rings that match, our matching wedding rings vs individual guide weighs up the two routes, and our his and hers wedding rings collection pairs them up.
Our collections offer widths from 2mm to 8mm. As a rule, slimmer bands suit smaller or shorter fingers, while wider bands suit larger hands and a more solid look. Wide bands also feel tighter, so many people need to size up. Our wedding ring band widths guide shows how each width looks on the hand.
Four things affect the price of different types of wedding rings: the metal and its purity, the width, the weight of the band, and any diamonds. A 2mm 9ct court band and an 8mm platinum diamond band sit at opposite ends. Prices change with the version you pick, so check the live figure on each product page. Our budget wedding ring guide shows where to save without losing quality.
An engagement ring is given at the proposal and usually carries a centre stone. A wedding ring is exchanged at the ceremony and is normally a band. In the UK, the wedding ring goes on the fourth finger of the left hand, and most people wear it closest to the heart, with the engagement ring on top. Our guide to the difference between a wedding ring and an engagement ring covers it fully, and the history of wedding rings explains where the customs came from.
Measure at the end of the day, when your fingers are at their largest. Our guide on how to measure ring size for a wedding ring and our finger size guide walk you through it. If a ring needs adjusting later, our jewellery repairs service handles resizing, though diamond-set bands may limit how far they can move.
To care for your ring, start with how to care for your wedding ring and how to clean a wedding ring at home. Your jeweller can give it a deeper clean and check the claws or stones once a year.
Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical makeup as mined ones and often cost less, which makes them popular for diamond bands. Our lab-grown diamond guide explains the differences, and our ethical wedding rings guide covers sourcing and recycled metals.
Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter has made jewellery for generations, and it is home to the assay office that marks it. Many couples choose it because the makers are close at hand. Read our guide to the Jewellery Quarter, why couples come here for designer wedding rings and the best place to buy wedding rings if you are weighing it up.
Expert tip: Ask to see the hallmark before you pay. Platinum items of 0.5 grams or more must be hallmarked, and the fineness mark shows the purity as 850, 900, 950 or 999, according to the Birmingham Assay Office platinum page. Our hallmarking guide also explains how to read the marks on gold.
Sometimes, yes. If you have old gold you would rather not waste, we can assess it and tell you whether it suits a new band. Our bespoke jewellery service takes the ring from sketch to finished piece in our workshop, and you can first compare ready-made styles in our wedding rings collection.
The main types of wedding rings are court, D-shape, flat, flat court, bevelled and diamond set. They differ in profile, so the choice comes down to how the ring feels and how it looks beside your engagement ring.
A court ring is usually the most comfortable because it is curved inside and out. A flat court gives a similar fit with a more modern face, while a flat band can feel tighter on larger fingers.
A court ring is curved on both the inside and the outside. A D-shape is curved on the outside and flat on the inside, so it sits a little flatter against the skin.
It depends on how you live. 9ct gold is tougher, 18ct has a richer colour, and platinum is dense with a natural white finish. Try each metal on, because the weight and colour feel different in person.
In the UK, gold over 1 gram and platinum over 0.5 grams must be hallmarked before sale. A full hallmark shows the maker, the metal purity and the assay office mark.
Platinum Wedding Rings: Goes deeper on platinum, one of the three metals above.
9ct vs 18ct Gold Wedding Rings: Helps you pick between the two golds.
Wedding Ring Band Widths: How to Choose: Shows how each width looks on the hand.
Whether you’re inspired by Claudia Winkleman’s enigmatic style or simply seeking a piece that reflects your journey, a gold signet ring from Manna Jewellers is a perfect choice. It’s more than jewellery; it’s a statement of who you are.
Explore our collection at mannajewellers.com and visit us in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to experience craftsmanship at its finest. Speak to us about getting your next ring designed.
