Some couples may feel under pressure to choose the ideal ring. While there are many factors to consider, selecting the metal for your ring that best suits your lifestyle and personality is one of the most important. There is a metal for everyone—and their budget—from gold to palladium, platinum to titanium, tungsten to sterling silver!
Types of Ring Metal that You Should Choose
Gold
For a good reason, gold is the most popular and traditional option for wedding and engagement rings. This metal gives you various options, including white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. While it is regarded as the pinnacle of luxury, choose it carefully: You might believe that the higher the karat (not to be confused with a diamond’s carat), the better, but that isn’t always the case when it comes to the durability of your ring.
Twenty-four-karat (pure gold) is so fragile that gems can easily fall out and easily be scratched or deformed. Anything less than 24K is always an alloy with another metal, such as copper, silver, or platinum to create a stronger ring. The most durable of the four most popular gold purity levels is 10k, but it also contains the least gold. If you choose white gold, keep in mind that it might need to be rhodium-plated once a year to maintain its dazzling hue.
Consider your lifestyle before choosing a higher gold purity — if you work with your hands or are generally more concerned about the lifespan of your ring, opt for no more than 14-18 karats.
Platinum
Platinum is not only a luxurious option but also one of the strongest valuable metals while being one of the rarest metals in the world. The removal of platinum jewelry from the market to save the metal for use in war materials led to the creation of white gold. Moreover, platinum is a fantastic choice and will retain valuable stones forever.
For this reason, platinum prongs are used in rings made of less sturdy metals, including white gold. This is so platinum can withstand more dings, scratches, and wear.
Although it is one of the highest-priced metal choices, the longevity of its wear makes the high price worthwhile.
Platinum bands rarely sustain damage from daily wear and tear, and the metal keeps its color, so you won’t have to repaint them or worry about their shine fading with time. Your jeweler can quickly polish off any blemishes or scratches you find.
Palladium
Love the appearance of platinum but dislike the cost? Similar to platinum, palladium has a white color and a shiny sheen. For somebody with an active lifestyle who needs that mirror-like surface, it’s still the best option, even though it’s not nearly as durable. Bonus, it is comfortable and light. The downsides are that it does show scratches and can be challenging to resize, which could provide issues for someone hoping to wear it for a lifetime.
Sterling Silver
Silver has been used to make jewelry for the longest and was formerly thought to be more valuable than gold.
Additionally, it has the best price in the current market. Similar to how pure gold is too soft to be used on its own, sterling silver, a more durable alternative, is made by combining pure silver with copper or other metals. One of the most popular options for those looking for a luxurious look at a reduced price is the metal, with its history and glamorous appearance combined with its moon-like white tint.
But this flexible metal might not be your best option if you can’t handle some extra maintenance. Despite being one of the softer metals, it is still tougher than pure silver. Silver is susceptible to damage and tarnishing, so it should be kept in tarnish-resistant bags or in a cold, dry location. Regular cleaning and polishing of your ring are required.
Titanium
Titanium was initially used for industrial uses but is now becoming more and more fashionable for men’s rings. It is both exceedingly lightweight and incredibly sturdy, making it ideal for someone not accustomed to wearing jewelry frequently. In addition to its contemporary and distinctive appearance, it is scratch-resistant and simple to maintain. No additional maintenance is necessary to keep titanium looking as gorgeous as it did on your wedding day. The downside?
Make sure you get the correct size for your titanium wedding rings because they cannot be readily resized.
Tungsten
Tungsten is four times stronger than titanium and is the most resilient metal. This pure element revolutionized the world in 1904 when it was used in lightbulbs to replace carbon-filament lights. It has also revolutionized wedding rings because it is the most scratch-resistant option at an affordable price. Like titanium, tungsten is simple to maintain but cannot be easily adjusted, so it fits carefully. Additionally, tungsten is brittle and can shatter if dropped or struck on a hard surface, despite being highly hard and non-tarnishable. Due to the metal’s toughness, tungsten wedding bands don’t require further maintenance, just like titanium does.
General Care For All Metals
Whichever metal you choose, here are some general care tips:
- Soak your ring overnight in white vinegar or water with a small amount of dish soap to soften the build-up.
- Use a baby toothbrush to scrub the top lightly and underneath the band.
- Invest in jewelry polishing cloths to keep your rings from looking dull.
- Take your ring off before using harsh chemicals or swimming
- Always remove your wedding band before working out, in the yard, or doing activities that could potentially cause damage to the ring.
- Take extra caution if your ring has pavé stones.
- Get an annual checkup on your ring, whether metal or style.
While most people believe that only precious metals are used to create wedding bands, there are other materials.
Choose the best option that fits your budget and lifestyle rather than feeling obligated to get a gold ring just because it appears customary. According to the weight, design, and materials used, wedding rings can cost anywhere between $25 to $50,000. But the uniqueness of the ring isn’t determined by its price. It’s the significance of it.
P.S. Royi Sal Jewelry, a decades-long leader in silver jewelry design and manufacturing, invites you to download our latest magazine here and profit from the exceptional or best-seller jewelry designs at affordable prices in 2022 in the magazine. Click here to download it now.
Leave a Reply