A plain precious-metal band is the ring most women wear every day for the rest of their lives. It needs no decoration to earn that place. What matters is the profile, the metal and the quality of the finishing, and these are the things we get right by hand on our own bench in London.
Choosing a profile
The profile is the shape of the band in cross-section, and it governs how the ring feels far more than its appearance suggests. Four profiles cover almost every request we receive.
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Court: rounded on the inside and the outside. It is the most comfortable to wear and by some distance the most popular, sitting softly against the finger and against neighbouring rings.
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D-shape: flat on the inside, gently domed on the outside. A traditional look with a clean line where the metal meets the skin.
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Flat (rectangular): flat on both faces with square edges. Crisp and architectural, well suited to a modern aesthetic.
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Flat-court: flat on the outside, rounded on the inside. It reads as flat from above but keeps much of the court's comfort against the finger.
Width, depth and comfort fit
Width is a matter of proportion and preference. Narrow bands of around 2mm sit lightly and pair neatly with a fine engagement ring; widths of 3mm to 4mm and beyond feel more present and balance a larger ring. Depth, the thickness of the metal, affects both strength and weight, and a slightly deeper band will hold its shape longer under daily wear.
Comfort fit refers to the rounded inner surface of a court or flat-court band, which lets the ring pass over the knuckle and settle more easily than a flat interior. We size every ring to your finger and can advise on allowances if you size up or down between seasons. Our ring size guide is a useful starting point.
Metals and hallmarking
We work in platinum and 18ct white, yellow and rose gold, and we also make in palladium. Platinum is dense, naturally white and holds up well to daily wear. White gold is alloyed and plated with rhodium for whiteness; that plating wears over time and is renewed periodically, which is normal and easily done. Yellow and rose gold need no plating. Palladium offers a naturally white, lighter-weight alternative.
Every ring we make is sent for independent assay and carries a full UK hallmark, your legal guarantee of the metal's purity. Settings start from £800.
Why a well-made band endures
A plain band has nowhere to hide. The endurance comes from sound metal, even walls, a true round and a clean polish, all of which come from careful making and finishing in our Hatton Garden workshop. Worn daily, any ring picks up fine surface marks; these are part of its life and lift away with a professional polish. A classic band suits almost any engagement ring, sitting flush against a solitaire or framing a more elaborate design, and it can be matched to your existing wedding ring styling without competing with it.
Common questions
Which profile is the most comfortable?
The court profile, rounded inside and out, is the most comfortable for most people and the one we recommend if you are unsure. Flat-court is a close second and looks flatter from above.
Can a plain band be shaped to fit my engagement ring?
Yes. If your engagement ring has a low setting or an unusual shoulder, we can shape the wedding band to sit flush against it so the two read as one. This is part of how we approach any matched pair, including work that begins life as bespoke engagement rings.
Will my ring need maintenance?
Plain bands ask little of you. White gold benefits from occasional rhodium re-plating to keep its colour bright; platinum, yellow and rose gold do not. We polish and check any ring we have made whenever you bring it back to the studio.
To try the profiles in person and find the weight and width that suit your hand, book a consultation at our London studio, or read more about commissioning bespoke engagement rings to match.
