Published at 26th Aug 2019
Modified at 22nd Feb 2021
Pros and Cons of Soldering Wedding Rings Together
An engagement ring is a promise, and a wedding band solidifies the forever bond of marriage. These two wedding rings fit together to beautifully represent your special union.
However, wearing two rings on one finger can lead to ring corrosion and actually damage your precious wedding rings. That’s why some people choose to have their wedding rings soldered.
Soldering a wedding band to an engagement ring will prevent your rings from sliding around and actually preserve the metal on your rings. Is soldering your wedding band and engagement ring together the right choice for you?
We’re here to help you decide. Keep reading as we highlight the pros and cons of soldering wedding rings together.
What is Ring Soldering?
Soldering wedding rings together is the process of fuzing two rings together to form one bridal set. Many brides choose to have their wedding rings soldered as a way of bonding their two beloved wedding bands together.
In order to solder wedding rings, a filler metal is melted to bond the two rings together. However, the rings themselves are not altered or damaged.
Soldering wedding rings is an important decision as once they are bonded together, they are not easily separated. Consider the following pros and cons to soldering wedding rings to help you make the best decision.
Pros of Soldering Rings Together
Soldering protects your rings
Any time you wear two rings on one finger, they are going to rub against one another. Over time, this corrodes the rings and can lead to excessive ring maintenance. For example, if your ring is white gold, you’ll have to get the ring rhodium plated more often to keep it in sparkling condition.
Metal maintenance can accrue hefty costs long term, which is why ring soldering is a good idea for plated jewelry.
No more sliding around
Another annoying aspect of wearing two wedding bands is that they slide around on your finger. While this might drive one person crazy, it might not bother another. If you have a high set diamond or a ring you’d like to stay centered, soldering binds your rings together so they won’t slide out of place.
In short: soldering keeps your rings looking perfectly intact, and what bride doesn’t love that?
A comfortable, effortless fit
When wedding rings slide around on your finger it’s simply uncomfortable. Furthermore, metal rubbing against your skin can cause allergic reactions or skin irritations. Not to mention the painful pinching! Soldering wedding rings together creates a much more comfortable fit. In fact, you won’t even think about it because when two rings are soldered together, they move as one.
So, have we sold you on soldering your wedding rings? Great! But first we need to address the cons of ring soldering.
Cons of Ring Soldering
As with any jewelry alteration, you want to weigh the pros and cons before deciding. The following factors are important to consider before soldering your wedding rings.
You can’t have one without the other
When you get your wedding rings soldered, you no longer have the option to only wear your wedding band or engagement ring. If your bridal set goes perfectly together, this won’t be much of an issue. However, if each of your wedding rings are unique on their own, you’ll no longer have the option to wear them individually. Is this a deal breaker? Not necessarily, however there may arise times that it’s inconvenient to wear both rings.
For example, if you’re unable to wear your engagement ring for work safety reasons, or don’t want to wear your diamond while working out or traveling, you’ll have to ditch both rings because when you get your wedding rings soldered: it’s all or nothing.
If you love to accessorize and mix and match your jewelry, you’ll lose that option when your rings are soldered together. Unfortunately, soldering your weddings rings removes the versatility to mix and match. The good news is that you’ve still got nine other fingers to wear accent rings on. If you have several wedding bands you like to wear with your engagement ring, soldering might not be the best option for you.
Soldered rings are difficult to separate
The biggest factor to consider when soldering wedding rings is that once they’re fuzed together, they do not separate easily. In the long run, you may decide you don’t want your rings soldered together anymore. Or, perhaps you plan to pass the rings down through generations. In both situations, separating soldered rings is a difficult prospect and can even damage the rings. Does soldering rings decrease value? Fortunately it does not because the rings themselves aren’t altered. However, separating them can cause damage and in turn lower the value.
Resizing and timeframe
Many people don’t realize that soldering wedding rings together creates a snugger fit. It’s smart to consult with your jeweler, but it’s generally suggested to size up your rings about a quarter size.
How long does it take to solder rings together? Generally, ring soldering takes about 1-2 weeks. If you’re planning on getting your wedding rings soldered before your big day, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to have the process done.
An alternative to soldering wedding rings
If soldering isn’t right for you, you might be wondering if there are other methods to keep your rings together. Is it possible without soldering? Definitely! One alternative to soldering wedding rings is to use a ring wire or connector. This is a non-permanent way to bind your wedding rings together without soldering.
Should I solder my wedding rings?
Soldering your wedding rings is a big decision. You’ll likely wear them as one forever, and you want to be sure you’ve made the right decision. That’s why it’s a good idea to research soldered rings, before and after pictures, and consult with your jeweler before moving forward.
Bottom line: if you want your wedding bands connected for life, soldering is the way to go.
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