The concept of his and hers wedding bands is as traditional as the practice of exchanging rings at a nuptials. Designed with corresponding colors and metals, matching bands have long served as a symbol of the union binding two individuals. In recent years, however, more modern couples have gravitated to diverging styles, in keeping with the general shift toward less tradition-bound weddings.
Now, the boom in same-sex marriages as well as the growing embrace of gender-neutral styling have given rise to a new trend in which betrothed individuals wear a unisex style that easily works for both partners, albeit in differing sizes.
Emmet Smith, founder and owner of Rebus, a signet ring manufacturer based in London’s Hatton Garden district, said that over the past three years, he’s noticed more and more couples choosing the same signet ring for their big day.
“At first, couples would come in looking for wedding bands, and then they’d see a whole suite of signet rings and say, ‘Why don’t we just get a couple signet rings each?’ ” Smith tells JCK. “People are always pushing the boundaries a bit, to be a bit different.”
“A signet ring is still, essentially, a band of gold, just a bit bigger on top,” he adds. “It allows people who want to commit to each other a broader canvas to express secret messages to each other about the symbolism of their relationship. It’s not something I’ve marketed, but it’s quietly growing and growing.”
Other styles that work well for both brides and grooms include those that feature a dash of diamonds, often set in yellow gold that’s been textured or transformed into links, as well as simple two-tone pieces, trendy knife-edge styles, and wide cigar bands. Below, we’ve highlighted a selection of wedding rings that fit the gender-agnostic bill in recognition of the fact that the only rule among today’s about-to-be-marrieds is there are no rules.
“Our customers are doing the reinventing,” says Smith. “We’re just trying to keep up with them.”
Top: Faith Leander from Washington, D.C., wearing her Rebus signet wedding ring (photo courtesy of Rebus)
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