The Story of Your Wedding Band
A lot of loves goes into each wedding band that comes out of my studio. Here is a little peek behind the scenes at how each wedding ring is made. Enjoy!
Metals 101
Not an expert in jewelry metals?
It’s okay, most people aren’t. It can be hard to know what metal is a good choice for your wedding band when there are many options and they vary in color and price. Fear not! We have broken it down for you so you can quickly get up to speed.
A couple things to note about all of the alloys we use:
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All are durable enough to withstand a lifetime of adventure
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All are allergy friendly and will not cause a skin reaction
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None are plated with any other metals to change the color
You can’t make a bad choice- all of our alloys are strong, beautiful and appropriate for everyday wear. Just choose the one with the best color and price for you.
14K Gold
Medium Yellow
$660-$975 (depending on width of band)
14K yellow gold is a wonderful, durable gold alloy perfect for wedding rings. It’s the classic! This alloy is lovingly cast locally in San Francisco and is available for our Double Pour Event.
18K Yellow Gold
Deep yellow
$775-$1375 (depending on width of band)
18K yellow gold contains a higher percentage of pure gold than 14K, which gives this alloy a deeper, more vibrant color. This alloy is lovingly cast locally in San Francisco and is available for our Double Pour Event.
14K Rose Gold
Redish Pink
$660-$975 (depending on width of band)
14K rose gold is a gold alloy made with copper which gives it it’s red color. This alloy is lovingly cast locally in San Francisco and is available for our Double Pour Event.
Palladium
Cool Silver
$775-$1375 (depending on width of band)
Palladium is a rare precious metal similar in look and chemical structure to Platinum. It is durable, lightweight, and allergy friendly. If you are looking for a truly white or silver metal, palladium is the right choice. It contains no gold, and so it does not have the warm yellow undertones of white gold. This alloy is artfully cast by our trusted vendors in Portland, OR.
14K Palladium White Gold
Warm Yellow Gray
$775-$1475 (depending on width of band)
This white-gold alloy is made with 58% pure gold and palladium. Palladium is a precious metal in its own right, and combines with the gold to form an incredibly durable, allergy-free alloy. (Traditional white gold alloys contain nickel, which many people are allergic to.) The color of this alloy is not pure white, but a warm gray that looks great against many skin tones. This alloy is artfully cast by our trusted vendors in North Chesterfield, VA.
18K Palladium White Gold
Dark Yellow Gray
$975-$1875 (depending on width of band)
This white-gold alloy is made with 75% pure gold and palladium. Palladium is a precious metal in its own right, and combines with the gold to form an incredibly durable, allergy-free alloy. (Traditional white gold alloys contain nickel, which many people are allergic to.) The color of this alloy is not pure white, but a warm, dark, gunmetal gray. This alloy is artfully cast by our trusted vendors in North Chesterfield, VA.
Wedding Band Frequently Asked Questions
Hi! You’re getting married- congratulations! You’ve probably never bought a wedding band before, and we thought you might have some questions. Here are some answers.
Will any of the metals react with my skin?
No! We carefully choose our alloys to be very allergy friendly and to require no plating. Some gold alloys contain nickel, which many people are allergic to. We don’t use those alloys because it really, really stinks to be allergic to your own wedding ring.
How durable are these rings?
Super durable! All of our rings are seamless. Our alloys are strong and designed to last a lifetime. Over the years, the surface may change with wear- you’ll pick up little scratches and your skin will actually polish the metal. We like to think of this as part of the story of your ring. We design our bands to have a worn-in look from the start, so you don’t have to worry about the surface changing over time.
What is 14K vs 18K gold?
You may have heard that pure gold is too soft to be practical for jewelry. You heard right. Other metals are added to the gold to create a much stronger gold alloy. Gold karat refers to the percentage of pure gold in the alloy. 14K gold contains 58% pure gold, while 18K gold contains 75% pure gold. Both are great for jewelry, but they vary slightly in color.
What is rose gold? What is white gold?
Pure gold is a bright, saturated yellow in color. The color of a gold alloy can be changed depending on what metals are added to the alloy. Adding more copper to the mix makes it red. Adding Palladium to the alloy makes it white.
How long does it take?
It takes us about 3-6 weeks to make your wedding band. We recommend ordering no later than 8 weeks in advance of your wedding.
How come it takes so long?
Here’s a little bit about the process of making each band. It just takes time to do it right.
AHH! My wedding is in two weeks!! Can I still get a ring?!
Maybe. Give us a call at 415-379-0671. We might be able to squeeze you in if you ask nicely.
Can I customize the designs?
Yes indeed. Send us an email at kendra@kendrareneejewelry.com with what you are looking for. Sometimes it’s just a simple width adjustment, sometimes you might want a whole custom texture. If we’re going far off the beaten path there is an additional design fee.
Can I order one of these rings in Platinum?
Of course! If you are looking for the Cadillac of metals, Platinum is for you. It’s a super-star. Any of the rings can be ordered in Platinum for $3300. Simply email kendra@kendrareneejewelry.com and we’ll get you set up.
I am between to sizes. Are quarter sizes available?
Youbetcha. You tell us the size, we’ll make it. Just email kendra@kendrareneejewelry.com and we’ll make a note of the size.
What if my ring doesn’t fit?
Ring size is tricky and this can happen. Always get sized with a jeweler before ordering. Because size is notoriously difficult and can change, I will always adjust the size on my wedding bands once free of charge. If you need more adjustments than that, there is a $65 sizing fee.
Why are your wedding bands so dang comfortable?
We carefully round out the inside of each band before we polish it to make it extra-snuggly-comfortable. And we do it just for you! After all, you are gonna wear this thing for a while.
