Choosing your wedding rings

When you try a ring on, a good fit will slide over your knuckle - with no danger of slipping off - to rest at the base of your finger: bear in mind how warm (and hence swollen) your fingers are on the shopping day. You should be able to get a small cocktail stick through the gap to allow for fluctuations. The engagement ring should complement your fingers and hands. You probably know what sizes of band and stone suit - larger hands can get away with chunkier, prominent designs that might overwhelm a smaller hand. Take natural skin and eye tones as a guide too; as with clothing, specifically toned gems and metals complement your colouring. And think ahead to the type of wedding band you would prefer. This should rest comfortably and look great alongside the engagement ring. On a practical note, give a thought to how easily the design will be worn: high, prong-set stones are prone to catching on fabrics. Bespoke jewellery makers can design a ring - engagement or wedding - of your exact choice if you fail to find your heart's desire in the shops. This service may be more costly, but worth it if you have a very specific look in mind. Some jewellery makers can co-ordinate this service over the phone and via email if you live far away, sending 3D images before the design is made. Magazines and the Internet open a huge range of innovative designer options. You may want to incorporate a stone from a family heirloom or model the design on a ring you have seen elsewhere and a bespoke service is an effective route to individual creations. Many high street jewellers and larger manufacturers also offer a bespoke service, happy to design a ring in their workshops. Ask local jewellers for information and discuss what can be achieved within your budget. Consider too that having the engagement and wedding rings designed together - perhaps interconnecting - will ensure a complementary fit. If you choose to purchase a wedding band separately, then the chosen jeweller should check that it fits well with the engagement ring: most offer a custom made service to guarantee a perfect fit. Above: from Orro 0141 552 7888.