Tips to Shopping for Sterling Silver Wedding Bands

Determine your budget. When you're just starting a life with someone new, finances can be tight. Sterling silver wedding bands offer an affordable way to wear a precious metal that symbolizes your love for one another, and do so in a way that won't break your bank account. When considering the purchase of sterling silver wedding bands, set a budget before going shopping. This will help you to choose the perfect design at the perfect price.

Choose a style. Whether you prefer solid sterling silver wedding bands, a design that features channel set gemstones or anything in between, the choice is yours. The style of your wedding band is a very personal decision, and you can basically use any band ring as a wedding ring.

Look for the hallmark. A hallmark is a mark stamped on articles of gold, silver or platinum in order to certify their purity. All sterling silver wedding bands, along with any piece of sterling silver jewelry, will be hallmarked as .925. Always be sure to look for the stamp, which is most commonly located on the inside of the band.

Consider the width. If you purchase a wide ring or one that has a significant thickness in the band, you may need to go up size to one full size, depending on the width and weight of the ring. If your sterling silver wedding bands are thin, you should stay true to your original ring size.

Size mishaps. If you purchase a ring and it doesn't quite fit, you can always have sterling silver wedding bands re-sized by a professional jeweler. The cost is relatively inexpensive, and should not compromise the look of the ring in any way. The only exception is if there are gemstones around the entire band, such as the case with an eternity ring. These types of rings cannot be sized.

Have it engraved. Did you know that you can have sterling silver wedding bands engraved? Well, you can. Even if the outside of the ring has gemstones set along the band, you can still engrave the inside of the band. Popular choices include a name, wedding date or special message to your spouse. When you exchange sterling silver wedding bands on the day of your wedding, the inscription will be a wonderful surprise to your spouse.

Tackling tarnish. In order to prevent tarnishing, keep your sterling silver wedding bands in their original box. You can also add an anti-tarnish strip or purchase a jewelry box with special lining designed to keep your sterling silver looking great for years to come. Even gold can tarnish, so if you happen to notice a little discoloration in your sterling silver or you simply want to give it a quick polish, don't fret. Instead, purchase a polishing cloth and give it a quick swipe for an instant shine.