Choosing The Perfect Metal For Your Wedding Band

Choosing the right wedding band is an important decision. There are several metals to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most popular choices include yellow, white, and rose gold, as well as precious metals like palladium and platinum. Alternative metals such as titanium, tungsten carbide, tantalum, and cobalt are also available.

When selecting a metal for your wedding band, it's essential to consider factors such as durability, price, skin tone, and matching with your partner's ring or engagement ring. Some metals are more durable and resistant to damage, while others offer a warmer or cooler look that complements certain skin tones better. Additionally, the price can vary significantly between different metals.

Ultimately, there is no single best metal for a wedding band. The best choice depends on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and budget.

Platinum: a pure white metal that doesn't change colour or fade, is hypoallergenic and very durable

Platinum is a pure white metal that makes for a stunning wedding band. Its natural white sheen subtly signals luxury and exclusivity, making it a perfect symbol of the strength and commitment in a relationship. Platinum is a great choice for those seeking a hypoallergenic, durable metal that will stand the test of time.

Platinum is one of the strongest precious metals in the world. It is highly resistant to wear and corrosion, making it an ideal setting for diamonds and other precious stones. Its density and heft make it highly durable, ensuring it doesn't wear over time. Platinum is also non-corrosive, so it won't change colour or fade, and will retain its shine for years to come. If scratches do occur, a simple polish by a jeweller will restore its pristine appearance.

Platinum is hypoallergenic, so it won't cause allergic reactions that may be experienced with other metals. It is a versatile metal that pairs well with other jewellery, making it an excellent choice for a wedding band that can be worn every day. Its colour complements fair and rosy skin tones, and it goes well with all colourful gemstones.

Platinum is a rare metal, making it a more expensive choice for wedding bands. However, its exceptional quality and luster have made it a popular option for those seeking a durable, luxurious metal that will last a lifetime.

Palladium: a white metal that doesn't tarnish, is durable and lightweight

Palladium is a lustrous, silvery-white metal that is highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing. It is one of the platinum group metals (PGM) and is often used in alloys with other PGMs, such as platinum, to create white gold for jewellery. Palladium is also used extensively in its pure form for jewellery, particularly for wedding bands.

Palladium is a durable metal that does not lose metal when scratched. Instead, the metal is displaced, meaning that a palladium ring will develop a patina over time. This makes palladium a good choice for those with an active lifestyle who want a mirror-like finish on their ring. Palladium is also a lightweight metal, making it a comfortable option for a wedding band.

One of the key advantages of palladium is that it is hypoallergenic and will not cause allergic reactions that may be experienced with other types of ring metals. It is also relatively low maintenance and does not need to be rhodium-plated.

However, one downside of palladium is that it can be tricky to resize, which may cause problems for someone looking to wear the ring for a lifetime. Additionally, palladium may show scratches over time. Despite these minor drawbacks, palladium is an excellent choice for a wedding band, offering durability, lightweight comfort, and a shiny finish.

Gold: a classic, traditional choice that comes in yellow, white and rose varieties

Gold is a classic, traditional choice for wedding bands and has been used for jewellery since ancient times. It is a meaningful and timeless option, and its warm golden hues are delightfully charming. Gold wedding bands are usually crafted from a combination of pure gold and alloys such as copper, which add durability to the otherwise malleable metal.

Gold wedding bands come in a range of styles, from sleek and simplistic to bold and design-forward. They are available in different karatages, with 14K and 18K being the most common. 14K gold is made up of 58.3% pure gold, while 18K gold contains 75% pure gold. The higher the gold content, the richer and warmer the colour, but the lower the durability.

Yellow gold is the most traditional type of gold used for wedding bands and is one of the most popular choices for both women's and men's wedding rings. It is a safe, timeless option that goes well with olive and darker skin tones. White gold, which has become increasingly popular over the last decade, is created by combining pure gold with metals such as nickel, silver, and palladium. It has a gorgeous shine and an elegant white colour that complements fair and rosy skin tones.

Rose gold, which is made by combining pure gold with copper and silver, has a unique, warm pink hue that many consider to be the most romantic choice for a wedding band. Like yellow and white gold, rose gold is available in different karatages, with 14K and 18K being the most common. Rose gold complements all skin tones and is typically stronger than yellow or white gold due to its higher copper content.

Titanium: a hard, durable and scratch-resistant metal that's also hypoallergenic

Titanium is an ideal choice for a wedding band, offering both style and durability. It is a hard metal that will withstand the wear and tear of daily life, and its scratch-resistant quality will ensure that it retains its shine and smooth surface. Over time, titanium will not dull or tarnish, meaning your ring will always look as new and as polished as the day you bought it. Titanium is also a lightweight metal, which makes it a comfortable option for a ring that will be worn every day.

One of titanium's most attractive qualities is that it is hypoallergenic. For those with sensitive skin, or anyone who experiences allergies to certain metals, titanium is an excellent choice. It will not cause skin irritation or discolouration, and because of its hypoallergenic qualities, titanium is often used in medical devices, such as implants, that need to be tolerated by the body.

Titanium is also highly resistant to corrosion, which means it will not tarnish or stain your skin, and it can be safely worn in water without the risk of damage. This resistance to corrosion is due to the oxide film that forms when titanium is exposed to the air. This film also gives titanium excellent biocompatibility, which is another reason why it is so often used in medical applications.

The strength and durability of titanium also make it a long-lasting choice for a wedding band. It is a strong metal that will not crack or chip, and its resistance to scratching means it will retain its smooth surface, making it a comfortable ring to wear every day. Titanium's hardness also means it will not bend out of shape, ensuring that the ring maintains its circular form and fits comfortably on your finger.

Titanium wedding bands are a popular choice for those seeking a modern, sleek look. Its natural silver colour and metallic shine give it a stylish, contemporary appearance, and its unique properties make it a practical and functional choice for a ring that symbolises a lifelong commitment.

Tungsten: a dark, contemporary-looking metal that's heavy and extremely durable

Tungsten is a sleek, contemporary choice for wedding bands. A tungsten wedding ring is a dark, gunmetal grey colour with a high-shine gloss finish. It is a heavy metal, denser than steel and titanium, and many people enjoy the weighty feel of it.

Tungsten is extremely durable and scratch-resistant, making it a great option for those with an active lifestyle. In fact, it is one of the strongest metals available for wedding rings, and it will retain its polish far longer than any other metal. However, it is a brittle metal, so there is a risk of the ring shattering if it is knocked or dropped. For this reason, a tungsten ring cannot be resized.

Tungsten carbide is often the preferred alloy mix for jewellery because it is even harder than standard tungsten. A tungsten carbide ring will be around four times as strong as titanium and about ten times as strong as 18K gold.

Frequently asked questions