Concierge Prodiam replies within four business hours, Mon–Fri. Insured overnight delivery across South Africa.

  • Natural diamonds only

    Mined-Earth, never lab-grown, by conviction, not price. Kimberley-Process documented from the mine of origin. Why we don’t sell lab-grown →

  • GIA & EGL certified

    Every loose stone certified by the GIA or EGL. Cert PDF supplied per stone.

  • Insured overnight delivery

    Brink’s, G4S or our nominated jewellery courier across South Africa. Ferrari Group / FedEx Custom Critical international.

  • 14-day in-person exchange

    In-person sales at the viewing room come with a 14-day exchange courtesy on stock pieces. Distance-sale CPA cooling-off applies.

The difference, simply

The engagement ring is the ring of the proposal, the one with the centre diamond. The wedding band is the ring you exchange at the ceremony, traditionally a simpler band. Afterward most people wear the two together on the same finger, every day, which is the whole reason they should be made to suit one another rather than bought years apart and hoped to fit.

Why they should be made together

A wedding band only sits beautifully against an engagement ring if it is shaped to do so. A raised or unusually set engagement ring leaves a gap that a straight band cannot close; a contoured or shaped band is cut to hug the setting so the two read as one piece. When the same bench makes both, the band is fitted to the actual ring, the metal matches exactly, and any diamonds are matched across the pair. That is the difference between a set and two rings that merely share a finger.

How to wear them

Tradition puts the wedding band closest to the heart, below the engagement ring on the finger, because it is the ring of the marriage. On the wedding day the engagement ring often moves to the other hand so the band goes on first, then returns on top. In daily life they stack, band then engagement ring. It is a custom rather than a rule, and we can solder the two together if you would like them to wear as a single unit.

Band styles that pair with an engagement ring

  • Plain band, a clean metal band against a diamond engagement ring. Timeless and lets the centre stone lead.
  • Shaped or contoured, cut to fit around the engagement ring setting so there is no gap.
  • Diamond eternity or half-eternity, a row of diamonds to add sparkle alongside the engagement ring.
  • Matched pave, small diamonds that echo the pave on the engagement ring band.
ChoiceWhat we make to order
Band stylePlain, shaped/contoured, eternity, half-eternity or pave
FitShaped to sit flush against the engagement ring; can be soldered
MetalMatched to the engagement ring: platinum or 18k gold
DiamondsNatural, GIA / EGL certified, matched across the pair
Existing ringWe can fit a new band to an engagement ring you already own

Pricing is on application: the band style and any diamonds drive the figure, and you receive a firm ZAR quote, excl. VAT, before any work begins.

How your set is made to order

  1. 01

    Brief

    The engagement ring (new or existing), the band style you want, metal, whether to solder, budget and date. We respond within 24 hours.

  2. 02

    Choose the stones

    For a new engagement ring or a diamond band, we present GIA-certified options, each with its report.

  3. 03

    Build & fit

    The band is shaped and cast to sit flush against the ring, in the matched metal, on the bench.

  4. 04

    Set & finish

    Diamonds are set and matched across the pair, the set finished and checked under loupe and microscope.

  5. 05

    Hand-over

    Presentation at Bedfordview by appointment, or insured overnight courier nationwide, with certification and a written valuation.

When you are ready, brief us on your set, or see how bridal set design ties the engagement ring and band into one look.

Engagement ring and wedding band: common questions

What is the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding band?

The engagement ring is the ring of the proposal, usually with a centre diamond, given when you decide to marry. The wedding band, or wedding ring, is the ring exchanged at the ceremony itself, traditionally a simpler band that sits beside the engagement ring afterward. Many people end up wearing both together every day, which is exactly why they are best designed to fit one another.

Do the engagement ring and wedding band have to match?

They do not have to match, but they should sit together cleanly. The metal usually matches, and the band is shaped so it meets the engagement ring without a gap. Beyond that you have freedom: a plain band against a diamond engagement ring is timeless, a diamond band adds sparkle, and a contoured band can hug an unusual setting. The point is that they work as a pair on the hand.

Which ring goes on first, and how do you wear them?

Tradition is to wear the wedding band closest to the heart, that is, below the engagement ring on the finger, because it is the ring of the marriage. On the wedding day the engagement ring is often moved to the right hand so the band goes on first, then the engagement ring returns on top. In daily wear they sit stacked, band then engagement ring. It is a custom, not a rule, and you should wear them however feels right.

Can you make a wedding band to fit an engagement ring I already have?

Yes. If you already have an engagement ring, we make a matching or contoured band that sits flush against it, fitting around the setting so there is no gap and the two look like one piece. We match the metal and profile, and add diamonds to the band if you want them. This is a common commission, and it is part of our bridal set design.

Can the rings be soldered together?

They can, if you want them to wear as a single unit and never separate, which also stops them spinning or wearing against each other. Many couples prefer to keep them separate so the engagement ring can be worn alone at times. We will advise based on how you want to wear them, and it can be done later as well as at the time of making.