Choosing The Perfect Metal For Your Wedding Band

There are a variety of metals to choose from when it comes to wedding bands, each with its own unique properties and price points. Platinum, for instance, is known for its strength, rarity, and hypoallergenic qualities, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Palladium, a similar yet more affordable option, offers a lightweight feel and a natural white hue that won't tarnish. Gold, a timeless classic, comes in various colours, including yellow, white, and rose, and is relatively easy to resize. However, it scratches easily and may not be ideal for those who work with their hands. Titanium, the hardest natural metal, is lightweight, scratch-resistant, and perfect for those who want a low-maintenance option. Tungsten carbide, a man-made metal, is even stronger and more scratch-resistant than titanium, but it is impossible to resize. Stainless steel, an emerging favourite, is tarnish-resistant, lightweight, and hypoallergenic, but it has limited style options. Lastly, cobalt, resembling white gold, is lightweight, hard, and requires no replating, but it is also difficult to resize and may cause allergic reactions for those sensitive to nickel.

Platinum: strong, hypoallergenic, and won't change colour or fade

Platinum is a strong, hypoallergenic metal that is an ideal choice for wedding bands. Its density and heft make it highly durable, so it doesn't wear over time. This strength also makes it a secure setting for diamonds and other precious stones. Platinum is hypoallergenic, so wearers won't experience any allergic reactions caused by the metal.

Platinum is known for its rare and durable qualities, making it a popular choice for wedding bands. Its colour will not change or fade over time, and it is low maintenance. Platinum is a pure white metal with a luminous silver-white tone that complements fair and rosy skin tones. It also pairs well with other metals and colourful gemstones, making it a versatile choice for a wedding band.

Platinum is one of the strongest precious metals, and its longevity makes the high cost worth it. Platinum bands rarely get damaged in everyday life and can be polished by a jeweller if any scratches appear. Platinum is a great option for those seeking a durable, luxurious, white-coloured metal.

Platinum is a symbol of strength and commitment, and its rarity and durability make it the perfect metal to capture the uniqueness of your love.

Palladium: similar to platinum but lighter, low maintenance, and hypoallergenic

Palladium is a precious grey-white metal that is part of the platinum group metals (PGM). It is a popular choice for wedding bands due to its similarities to platinum, but with added benefits of being lighter in weight and requiring less maintenance.

Firstly, palladium is lighter than platinum as it is the least dense metal in the platinum group. This makes palladium a comfortable choice for those who are not used to wearing jewellery. Its lightweight property also does not take away from its durability. Palladium is a strong and scratch-resistant metal. When palladium is scratched, the metal is simply displaced, rather than lost, and it develops a patina over time. This makes it a great option for those with an active lifestyle who want a mirror-like finish without the weight of platinum.

Secondly, palladium requires little maintenance. It is a naturally lustrous metal that resists tarnishing and does not need rhodium plating, making it a low-maintenance choice for jewellery. Its resistance to tarnishing also means that it will retain its colour and shine over time.

Lastly, palladium is hypoallergenic, meaning it will not cause allergic reactions that may be experienced with other types of ring metals. This makes it a safe option for those with sensitive skin or metal allergies.

In conclusion, palladium is a great choice for wedding bands due to its similarities to platinum, coupled with its unique benefits. Its lightweight, low-maintenance, and hypoallergenic properties make it a comfortable and convenient option for those looking for an alternative to traditional metal choices.

Gold: traditional, luxurious, and malleable

Gold is a timeless and luxurious choice for wedding bands, with a history of use dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. It is also the most common and classic choice for wedding and engagement rings. Gold is a fantastic metal for jewellery, and its natural beauty and incredible malleability are the two main reasons for its popularity. A single ounce of gold can be stretched into a thin wire that measures five miles long. It can also be pounded into a thin sheet that covers an area of 100 sq. ft.

Gold is also lustrous, durable, and maintains its shape. These qualities are symbolic of a relationship, making gold an ideal choice for an engagement ring. It is also a versatile metal that suits everyone, but it looks particularly good next to olive and darker skin tones.

When it comes to gold wedding bands, it's important to know that they are not made of pure gold. Instead, gold is combined with other metals to create an alloy that adds durability to an otherwise malleable metal. The most traditional type of gold used for wedding bands is yellow gold, which is made using a combination of pure gold, copper, and zinc. The amount of pure gold content in the alloy determines the karatage of the gold, with common karatages being 14K and 18K gold. 14K gold is made up of 58.3% pure gold, while 18K gold contains 75% pure gold.

While yellow gold is the most traditional, other types of gold used for wedding bands include white gold and rose gold. White gold is made from a combination of pure gold and metals such as nickel, silver, and palladium, resulting in a gorgeous shine and elegant white colour. Rose gold, on the other hand, is made from pure gold combined with copper and silver, giving it a unique pink, red, and rose hue. Many people consider rose gold to be the most romantic wedding ring metal due to its warm and romantic pink colour.

Silver: abundant, affordable, but soft and prone to tarnishing

Silver is one of the most abundant precious metals and is widely used in jewellery, including wedding bands. It is also one of the most affordable options on the market today.

However, silver in its pure state is quite soft and malleable, so it is often alloyed with copper or other metals to create sterling silver, which is more durable. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other material, usually copper. This stronger alloy is used to create jewellery, including wedding bands, that will better withstand the rigours of daily wear.

Despite its strength, sterling silver is prone to tarnishing and will require regular care to keep it in good condition. Silver wedding bands will need to be polished and cleaned regularly to maintain their shine and prevent tarnishing. Additionally, silver is a softer metal and can get scratched easily.

Silver's affordability, durability, and timeless elegance make it a popular choice for those looking for a practical yet stylish option. Its amenability to personalisation, such as engraving, also adds to its appeal.

Titanium: strong, lightweight, scratch-resistant, and hypoallergenic

Titanium is a lustrous grey metal that is a naturally occurring element. It is an interesting alternative to conventional metals for wedding bands such as gold and platinum. Titanium is lightweight, strong, and scratch-resistant, making it perfect for those who are not used to wearing jewellery regularly. It is also hypoallergenic and non-toxic, so it is ideal for everyday wear and comfortable for those with allergies to certain metals.

Titanium is an incredibly strong metal that is actually stronger than gold or platinum and is three times stronger than steel. This means that a titanium wedding ring will last a lifetime. Despite its strength, titanium is very lightweight and comfortable to wear. It is also low maintenance and easy to care for, requiring no extra care to keep it looking new. Its durability means it can be cared for with just soap and water and usually doesn't need to be maintained by a jeweller.

One of the biggest advantages of titanium is that it is extremely scratch-resistant. This means that, unlike softer metals such as gold, it will not be prone to scratching, especially when brushed against a hard surface. This makes it ideal for those with an active lifestyle who want a ring that will withstand everyday wear and tear.

However, it is important to note that titanium wedding rings cannot be easily resized due to the metal's hardness and resistance to heat. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you have the correct size when ordering a titanium ring.

Frequently asked questions