When you visit a jewelry shop that carries a large inventory of antique jewelry, you'll enjoy checking out the various designs — many of which you may not necessarily find in a shop that solely carries modern items. One type of antique jewelry that you may come across is a cigar band ring, which gets its name because it's roughly as wide as the paper band that wraps around a cigar. This vintage piece of jewelry can be fun to buy and wear at certain times, such as when you're dressing up for a formal activity. Given its size, you want to be sure that you choose a cigar band ring that is comfortable. Here are three features that help with comfort.
Thin Material
Lots of cigar band rings will fill most or all of the space between your knuckles, which can be a new feeling for anyone who hasn't worn a thick ring in the past. To increase the comfort of the ring, it's ideal to choose one in which the material is thin. While the ring will still be wide from end to end, thinner material from the inside of the ring to the outside will lighten its overall weight and make it easier to bend your finger.
No Ridges
When you look at a number of different antique cigar band rings, you'll see that some have raised ridges at each end. While this decorative element can certainly increase the stylish look of the ring, it also makes it bulkier. You may find that a cigar band ring that lacks ridges at the ends is more comfortable to wear. If you like the look of a ring that has ridges at the ends, try to choose a piece in which the ridges are as small as possible.
Minimal Carving
Some antique cigar band rings have a smooth design throughout, while others have various carved elements. While carving can help to give this piece of jewelry a fancy, elaborate look, it can also have a rough texture that you feel when your adjacent fingers are in contact with the sides of the ring. For a higher level of comfort, you'll want to look for a cigar band ring that has minimal carving, giving it as smooth of a texture as possible. Keep these features in mind as you browse a selection of vintage cigar band rings at a local antique jewelry store.