Many things are traditional and based upon customs when getting married. Fifty years ago, most women had similar rings, typically a diamond engagement ring mounted in yellow gold and a simple yellow gold wedding band. The diamond size depended on the wealth of the groom and sometimes the band had diamonds as well if money was no object. As time progressed, however, many factors entered the picture to change the traditional wedding ring set.

Today, economic restrictions influence whether a bride will receive both an engagement ring and a wedding band. Further, allergic reactions to yellow gold may cause a groom to purchase a white gold setting for his bride. And newfound jewelry metals such as platinum, titanium, tungsten and rhodium plate have shifted the emphasis away from yellow gold. One last important reason for choosing other metals over gold is the fact that more women work outside the home today. They are finding it necessary to wear metals that are more durable, less apt to bend, break and erode, as well as metals that are seemingly impervious to scratching.

In addition to the new metals, the stones in many cases are not diamonds. In some instances, it is customary for grooms to pass on family heirlooms, which may consist of sapphires or rubies. Pearl and diamond combinations are equally as beautiful as single diamonds, making a spectacular engagement ring. And new forms of diamonds such as the naturally colored diamonds in chocolate, pink, blue, red, olive, violet and even black have become more prevalent. Due to their rarity and uniqueness, couples are eager to purchase gemstones that may not exist for mining in twenty years.

Grooms are also becoming more involved and ultimately more creative when choosing engagement and wedding rings. In fact, they may decide to guide the jeweler with a custom design fusing the two rings together to make one. Depending on the woman's occupation, the couple may also do away the engagement ring opting rather for a dazzling band set with diamonds around the whole band. This way, the stones are mounted inside the metal keeping them free from catching on things, while making a brilliant display to admire.

For the same reasons of durability, men are wearing wedding bands made of titanium or tungsten. Typically tungsten is not recommended for women's jewelry as earrings are impossible to make and other jewelry items such as pendants, necklaces and bracelets are not often found in tungsten. And tungsten is virtually impossible to use when making a matched set for the bride. But its rough and tough qualities make it the perfect metal for men to wear.

Men have also found that they enjoy the pleasant look of stainless steel in their rings, bracelets and necklaces. The selection is usually much smaller than gold or titanium but the color is quite appealing to the male jewelry market.

In summary, it is not critical to follow customs when purchasing metals and stones but rather, it is important to choose wedding jewelry that fits the lifestyle and individual personalities of the bride and groom.