Wedding Rings in 2026: Why Metal Prices Are Rising (and Why “Heavy Weight” Doesn’t Always Mean Heavy)
If you’ve started shopping for wedding rings recently, you’ve probably noticed something: prices feel… higher. And you wouldn’t be imagining it.
Over the last year, the cost of precious metals has continued to rise — especially gold and platinum. Between global demand, inflation pressures, and ongoing supply chain volatility, metal pricing has become far less stable than it used to be. And because a wedding ring is essentially a beautifully crafted “piece of metal” (just one with huge emotional value), those changes quickly show up in the final price you pay.
So what does that mean for you as a customer?
It means it’s more important than ever to understand what you’re actually buying, not just the headline description on a product page.
Rising metal prices: why ring pricing has shifted
A wedding ring price is heavily influenced by:
- the metal type (e.g. 18ct gold vs platinum)
- the width of the band (e.g. 2mm vs 6mm)
- and crucially… the weight of the ring
When the price of gold or platinum increases, a ring that contains more metal will naturally become significantly more expensive — sometimes by hundreds of pounds — even if the style looks very similar online.
That’s why weight matters.
The “heavy weight” label problem
Here’s something many people don’t realise until it’s too late: some online retailers use weight-related language in a way that’s misleading.
You’ll see phrases like:
“Heavy weight wedding band”
“Chunky court shape”
“Solid heavy feel”
…but when the ring arrives, it can feel noticeably light.
Why? Because many sellers label rings “heavy weight” based on *appearance* or *marketing categories*, rather than the actual depth of the band — and depth is what determines how much metal is truly there.
In other words, a ring can look wide from the top, but still be quite shallow underneath.
The simplest way to know the truth: check the depth
If you want certainty, don’t rely on the retailer’s label.
Instead, look for the "ring depth" measurement (sometimes called thickness). It’s one of the most reliable indicators of whether a wedding ring is genuinely lightweight or heavyweight.
As a general guide:
- 1.30mm depth = extra light weight
- 1.50mm depth = light weight
- 1.80mm depth = medium weight
- 2.00mm depth = heavy weight
It’s that simple.
A ring described as “heavy weight” that’s only 1.50mm deep is not heavy weight in any meaningful sense — it’s light weight.
Why depth matters beyond price
Depth doesn’t just affect cost. It impacts:
* durability over years of wear
* how often the ring may need polishing or reshaping
* long-term value (you’re literally paying for precious metal content)
A very light ring may be fine for some people — but you deserve to make that choice knowingly, not through vague product wording.
Final thought
With metal prices rising, transparency matters more than ever. When buying a wedding ring online, ask the questions, request the specs, and focus on depth — because that’s where the real “weight” story lives.