Oct 29, 2014
Celebrity Ring Watch: Brad Pitt
LISA
Though the much-anticipated wedding of Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie had some nontraditional elements, like their children drawing pictures on her veil, other parts were nothing short of classic. My favorite? Brad’s ring, a yellow gold, 4 millimeter, half-round shape that’s the epitome of a vintage men’s band and a style your grandfather probably wore on his own wedding day.
Half Round Yellow Gold Wedding Band
As jewelers who specialize in contemporary pieces, we rarely sell a 14k yellow gold band (though its comeback is always declared at the start of every new year). Very rarely do our male customers want a half round. And even rarer will they ask for a ring as narrow as 4 millimeters. But yet, I still find myself gravitating toward this simple, traditional ring -- and, of course, thinking of ways to embellish it.
Textured Wedding Bands
One of the most stylish ways to give a classic ring like this a modern twist is to inject some visual interest. In this case, I recommend adding texture to the band. Three of my top choices are a small hammered texture, a long hammer texture, or a machinist texture. Any of these will work well with the small surface of a 4 millimeter band and break up the light beautifully. Although the ring is a nod to an older generation, the markings will help it feel fresh and current.
But texture is more than just a pretty face -- it can also stand up well to the test of time. Unlike a brushed finish, whose beauty and sleekness are a superficial (shallow) finish and have a comparatively short shelf life, a texture will continue to look good as the years go on. Though the raised surfaces may become matted after a decade or two, you can count on the concave surfaces to take longer to show signs of wear and tear.
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