Pros & Cons of Wedding Rings Materials

Choosing the right wedding ring is usually easier than choosing the engagement ring for your significant other. There is usually no gemstone so you don’t have to study which gemstone will your future wife fancy the most. But in the case of the wedding rings, there are still several important decisions you have to make. For example, choosing the best metal for your wedding band. 

Wedding bands are available in a wide range of metals and materials, including yellow, white and rose gold, silver, platinum and palladium, as well as more alternative options like Wolfram, Cobalt, Titan, surgical steel and wood. Without further ado, let’s compare these wedding bands metals and see what is the best metal for your wedding ring.

Gold

Gold is a classic in the world of jewellery. Gold comes in various colours from yellow gold, white gold to romantic rose gold. Although gold belongs to the “family” of softer metals, it is usually durable enough for daily wear.

One big disadvantage is that gold very often contains other metals that people are often allergic to. Another disadvantage is the discolouration that can happen after exposure to certain chemicals, so occasional upkeep is necessary, especially in the case of white gold. It is recommended to have your ring polished after a decade of wearing.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is usually made of pure gold, copper and zinc. Yellow gold can be worn by anyone but will look amazing particularly on olive and darker skin tones. Yellow gold doesn’t require that much maintenance compared to white and rose gold.

Cons

White Gold

White gold is a combination of pure gold, nickel, silver and platinum. White gold is currently the most popular type of gold used in wedding rings. It appears in gorgeous white colour that looks the best on fair and rosy skin tones. White gold is more durable than yellow gold. The biggest disadvantage is that it needs the most maintenance because of the rhodium coating but cleaning procedures are inexpensive and easy to do. 

Cons

Rose Gold

Rose gold is made of pure gold, copper and silver. Because of the gorgeous rose colour, rose gold wedding bands are considered to be the most romantic and unique wedding ring metal. The biggest advantage is the durability and the price, which is usually not that high. Rose gold looks amazing on all skin tones. The big disadvantage is that rose gold is slightly more likely to cause skin irritations. Another is availability – rose gold became popular just a few years ago so there are only a few rose gold wedding bands on the market.

Cons

Silver

Silver is a great choice for those who are on a budget and still want that polished, expensive look. Silver is very soft, because of that, silver is really easy to shape and is more affordable than other wedding band metals. You should keep in mind that wedding bands made of silver have to be taken care of. If not taking care of, silver tends to be prone to scratching, staining and tarnishing.

Cons

Platinum

Platinum is said to be one of the strongest metals in the world, which means that it won’t scratch or break easily. Platinum appears in a light silver colour with a natural white sheen, which gives it the luxury look many people desire. Platinum offers numerous advantages. Platinum is hypoallergenic, which will surely please those with metal allergies. Another great advantage is the fact that it won’t look much different after decades and if it does look dull or stained, it is very easy to have it polished. The biggest disadvantage is the cost. The platinum wedding ring will usually cost twice the price of a 14K white gold wedding ring.

Cons

Palladium

Do you love the look of Platinum, but don’t have that much money? Then Palladium is the metal you’re looking for. Same as Platinum, Palladium si silver-coloured metal with a white sheen. Palladium is also very durable and won’t get damaged easily. One of the differences between Palladium and Platinum is the weight. Palladium is much lighter on your finger than Platinum. Palladium is slightly cheaper than Platinum but is still pretty expensive. One big disadvantage of Palladium is availability. Palladium is very rare and is not common to use it as your wedding bands, which means that the selection is not quite big.

Cons

Alternative Options of Wedding Bands

Some people prefer other metals for their wedding bands, such as Wolfram, Cobalt or Titan. Cobalt is quite new on the market and is more affordable than Platinum or Palladium. Cobalt has the same appearance as Platinum but is more prone to scratching. Wedding bands made of Cobalt are easier to take care of compared to gold rings.

If you are searching for eco-friendly wedding rings, wooden rings are perfect for you. Wood can be formed into various styles and patterns, using a large selection of colourful hardwoods, so every lover of nature will find the perfect colour. Wooden rings are pretty inexpensive but require high maintenance. 

If you love tattoos you can also get a tattoo of your dream wedding ring. Wedding ring tattoo is a symbol of commitment between two people. Those who don’t want to get married will surely appreciate this option of showing love and commitment to your loved one. There is also a benefit of having your ring always with you and not worrying about losing it.  

Because every wedding band material is unique, there simply isn’t the best wedding band material ever. If you are looking for a traditional ring, choose yellow gold. If you want a more unique and modern wedding band, choose rose gold. If you want something that will last your lifetime and even longer, choose Platinum. But of course, choose whatever feels perfect to you.