Popular Wedding Band Metals
In the past, Yellow Gold was the most common metal for a wedding band. Today, the most popular wedding band metal from among 5 main precious metals are White Gold and Platinum.
Gold Alloys
Gold Alloys in various purities from 10 carat to 22 carat. Gold alloys infuse 24 carat pure, yellow gold with other metals like silver, palladium, zinc, or copper to make the metal harder and more durable. These same metals can also be used to change the colour of gold to different shades of yellow or to create White Gold and Rose Gold.
Platinum
Platinum is purer and rarer than gold. This metal features a cool, white lustre and sparkle and brilliance comparable to diamonds. As one of the most precious of metals, Platinum is a dense metal, so it will be heavier. But, Platinum will not wear so fast and it develops a lovely patina over the years.
Titanium
Titanium is an incredibly strong metal and is perfect for those who tend to have an allergic reaction to other metal choices. It is a lightweight metal but has an amazing ability to maintain shape and surface perfection. Titanium boasts a graphite grey colour that is modern and unique.
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is a more affordable, white metal choice over White Gold. This metal may be chosen because it is soft enough to be carved or engraved for a one-of-a-kind wedding band, but buyers should be aware that silver can lose its shine and colour over the years as well as being easier to bend out of shape.
Palladium
Palladium offers an alternative to platinum and this another metal that is harder than gold. Palladium is a beautiful, silvery-white metal that is also hypoallergenic. Consider either a brushed or polished finish, in which the latter is almost indistinguishable from White Gold or Platinum. It is less dense than platinum and feels lighter as a consequence.
It is advised to avoid buying a solid, 24 carat Gold wedding band. 18-Carat Gold is a better choice of metal for wedding bands, since anything higher (such as 24) is too soft, which will make the ring prone to scratches, bending, and even breaking! While a 24 Carat wedding band may sound attractive, the truth is - you can ruin a 24 carat wedding band faster than any other metal.
Platinum versus White Gold: Which one is Better
So maybe you've narrowed your wedding band choices down to Platinum and White Gold. These metals are equally beautiful and timeless, but each will also have distinct characteristics and physical properties.
Appearance
Platinum is a true white metal (with a natural, greyish tint), while White Gold will need to be re-plated and/or re-polished occasionally to prevent its yellow hue from returning. Depending on the amount of wear and tear, White Gold may need this process after several months or after several years. Platinum will not fade, but develop a lovely, aged patina over the years, while White Gold requires some care and maintenance.
Durability
You will find a Platinum wedding band will not degrade in weight or quality over time since this material is very strong and durable. Even when scratched, a Platinum ring can be easily restored to its original condition because the metal is not removed, but merely displaced. White Gold is a good choice if you desire a less expensive wedding band, a lighter weight ring, or when you know your loved one's lifestyle is not prone to damaging a wedding band.
Costs
Platinum is a more expensive metal because it is rarer and has a higher purity level compared to White Gold. It is also more dense and heavier. While the initial cost of a Platinum wedding band will be higher, you will have a lower maintenance cost when compared to the cost of cleaning and re-polishing White Gold over time.
Comfort
A White Gold ring will be more comfortable to wear because it is lighter in weight. Platinum is over 60% heavier than White Gold, which means you will feel the difference. But some people prefer a heavier wedding band because it is less likely to be missed, so the comfort level is purely subjective. But for those that may have allergic reaction alloys, such as in White Gold, then Platinum is the hypoallergenic winner!
You can see why Platinum and White Gold are the two most popular metals for the wedding ring design. If budget is less of a concern, then Platinum is the ideal metal for a wedding band. But, when it comes to a wedding band for the groom, White Gold is still a popular choice.
Unravelling The Brilliance of 18-Carat Gold for Your Wedding Band
Let's face it! The warm brilliance of 18-Carat Gold still makes this metal a very popular choice for a wedding band. The timeless beauty of Gold in either white, yellow, pink, or Rose colours gives these wedding bands an elegant sparkle and an unmistakable brilliance that is hard to miss. Your choices here will be on the purity of the Gold you choose for your wedding band.
Some women will own necklaces and earrings made with 14-Carat Gold. But, when it comes to choosing a metal for a wedding band, the problem with 14 carat is that this metal has only 14 parts of gold-infused with 10 parts of alloy metals (or 58.3% gold). This means, a 14 carat wedding band may cause an allergic reaction to those with sensitive skin - and for this reason, 18 carat Gold is a better choice for a ring that will be worn on a daily basis. 14 carat Gold also has a brighter yellow colour, which some feel is unattractive for a wedding band.
The 18-Carat Gold has a very rich, golden hue, and since it has a higher standard of purity, these wedding bands are less likely to cause irritation. An 18-Carat Gold wedding band is engineered to be harder than pure gold, meaning it will last longer without scratching, bending, or breaking. Its deep, rich yellow colour more closely resembles pure gold, with a soft glow that will also develop a light patina over the years.
If you're sensitive to alloys or desire a gold wedding band that can stand up to everyday wear, then 18-Carat Gold is the best choice - especially for a men's gold wedding band. Other benefits of 18K Gold wedding band include:
- Can maintain a higher monetary value
- Also evokes a higher sentimental value
- Has a greater depth of colour and brilliance
- Is a better fit for active lifestyles
- More resistant to wear-and-tear
Choosing the Right Metal for Your Wedding Ring
So now that you know the pros and cons of the most popular metals for wedding bands, you still want to consider your own unique personality and lifestyle. A wedding band is meant to be worn every day, so make sure the metal you choose fits with your occupation, recreation, and entertainment preferences.
A Platinum wedding band is a perfect choice for the professional who prefers not to wear yellow gold. Here you can also have a thinner band to offset the price and the weight of Platinum rings. Consider that a heavier wedding band causes people to remove it more often. Since you can be less cautious with a Platinum ring, it can be worn easily from the office to the gym and to elegant affairs.
IF you tend to be more active in your daily activities, the harder metals such as Platinum or 18 carat White Gold are the best choices. These rings can typically take on repeated pressure without bending, like holding on very tightly to a bus or subway rail, basketball, and other sports. Keep in mind, that it is rarely a single incident that will cause major damage to a wedding band. It usually takes consistent pressure or repeated blows to break or damage. So think about your lifestyle when choosing a wedding band.
The couple's personality will also factor into which metal is the best choice for a wedding band. The expense of a Platinum wedding band will bring less joy to someone who may worry more about losing it. A bright yellow 18 carat Gold Wedding Band may be perfect for one couple, while another would likely feel that the subdued and almost minimalist appearance of White Gold suits them better.
Wedding bands are meant to be worn every day and all day, except for some very specific occasions:
- While handling raw meat or any unsanitary conditions
- Chlorinated swimming pools for yellow and white gold
- Doing home renovations or operating heavy machinery
The great thing about wedding bands is that they are less likely to cause trouble while working or playing, but when choosing a wedding band metal for someone whose hands may be regularly exposed to washing or chemicals, choose the highest purity of Gold, Platinum or Titanium. Finally, you may want to choose a wedding band metal that matches your other jewellery pieces. For some, this may be a Sterling Silver wedding band.
Contact Jacobs the Jewellers in Reading, or visit us online to discover how our experts in metals and jewels can help recommend the right metal piece for your wedding bands.