There are varied types of wedding rings, which can be made from metal, wood, silicone, etc. They are either plain or jewel set, and women’s rings can be shaped to fit the engagement ring on the finger. Men’s wedding rings are commonly plain, which makes them a lot cheaper than diamond set. Ultimately the key element is the wedding ring metal, and choosing the perfect diamond ring is another matter.
Ultimately shopping for the perfect wedding rings comes down to budget. How much you should spend on a marriage ring is completely down to what is affordable. But if you are having a diamond set, not all metals are durable enough to hold the jewel securely.
It is very important to note that metal prices fluctuate, and change twice a day. While this is not commonly reflected with prices at jewellers, rising metal prices will increase the costs as and when price checks are done. For example, Gold and Silver prices are currently increasing day by day and at record highs.
This article will look at the best wedding ring metals on the market. We explore them and their features in some detail. This is intended to be informational to help you choose the right wedding rings for your big day, and you may find it useful to consult our wedding ring buyers guide.
Gold wedding rings
White Gold
White gold has been around since the rolling 20s. Its charm is in the subtlety with which it can be worn. It does not have that eye-catching effect that you will see with yellow gold. To achieve this look, and do away with the natural yellow colour of gold, it is mixed with either palladium, nickel, or magnesium. Additionally, white gold is commonly rhodium plated to keep it white.
Melting Point: 943 °C.
Is it Resizable: Yes
Price Range: £££££
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is the most common form of this metal. As the natural element of gold is a yellow colour, yellow gold is the only gold alloy that can be purchased in a higher karat than 18. You will often find it mixed with a bit of copper and silver in rings. While other alloys have come onto the market, this one has remain sought after. It is a durable one that requires minimal maintenance.
Melting Point: 927 °C.
Is it Resizable: Yes
Price Range: ££££
Rose Gold
Rose gold is made out of a combination of gold, copper, and silver. They appear in this alloy at ratios, 7.5:2:0.5, gold, copper and silver respectively. The pink colour comes from copper. Silver gives it a lighter appearance. It is a metal that was brought to the forefront by famous jeweller Louis Cartier in the 1920s. What has endeared it to so many people is the way it blends in with various shades of skin tone.
Melting Point: 902 °C.
Is it Resizable: Yes
Price Range: ££££
Other Metals used in Wedding Rings
Platinum
Platinum is an incredibly durable metal. It is non-reactive and strong, which makes it ideal for daily wear. While it can scratch, as all metals can, it has remarkable metal memory which prevents much material being lost in the process. There are fewer grades of platinum alloys than of gold, so the platinum used for jewellery will usually be of 95% purity. This, along with it’s rarity, is reflected in it’s value.
Melting Point: 1768 °C.
Is it Resizable: Yes
Price Range: £££££
Titanium
Titanium is a strong, lightweight metal that is harder than gold and platinum. In fact, it has a hardness rating of 6/10. For the sake of context, gold is 2.5-4/10, and platinum is 6.0/10. Most titanium ring alloys include vanadium and aluminium.
The key selling points are that it is lightweight, strong, and hypoallergenic. You are also assured of longevity due to its shatterproof nature.
Melting Point: 1668 °C.
Is it Resizable: No
Price Range: ££
Palladium
Palladium is a member of the platinum group of metals. It shares many qualities with platinum, but is characterised by being more lightweight. It is actually a by-product of mining, which makes it more rare than platinum.
In jewellery palladium is commonly combined with ruthenium at a ratio of 9.5:0.5 to palladium. You will also find some rings with 50% palladium. The hallmark denotes this. A ring with a 500 hallmark has 50% palladium. The one with 95% palladium will have a 950 hallmark.
Palladium is known to be sturdy and durable. To the untrained eye, it may be mistaken for platinum. The price of palladium is less stable than that of other precious metals, and is heavily affected by the global economy. In times of economic instability the price of palladium tends to increase dramatically. Indeed, 2020 onwards has seen the metal reach a record price, at often double that of platinum.
Melting Point: 1555 °C.
Is it Resizable: Yes
Price Range: £££££
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, carbon and other metals. It often has a generous amount of chromium. The chromium is responsible for preserving the look of this metal. It makes it more resistant to rusting or tarnishing. What makes it incredibly popular among most people is that it is resistant to corrosion, and relatively inexpensive in comparison to other materials.
Melting Point: 1370 °C.
Is it Resizable: Yes
Price Range: ££
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide is an interesting wedding ring material. It is not like other metals, as a carbide is formed by compressing powder under extreme heat and pressure. This creates a material that is incredibly scratch resistant, heavy, and resistant to corrosion or tarnish. The downside, however, is that once the carbide has been formed it cannot be re-formed. This means that you cannot resize a tungsten ring, or repair it if it shatters. However, some consider tungsten to be a great budget wedding band alternative to Platinum.
The weight of tungsten rings can make them prone to falling off the finger if not sized correctly. You will also find the material brittle and able to shatter.
Melting Point: 2870 °C.
Is it Resizable: No
Price Range: £
Black Zirconium
Zirconium has similar properties to titanium, but tends to command a lower price point due to being less well-known. Zirconium rings can either be made in the classic silvery grey tone of natural zirconium, or can be heat treated to form black zirconium. Black zirconium is slightly less hard-wearing than natural zirconium. this is because the black colour is an oxide layer which can be chipped or scratched off. If your heart is set on black, ensure you are prepared to take more care of your wedding ring.
One of the reasons why this wedding ring metal is so popular is that it is suitable for those that have allergy issues when using other metals. Besides the affordable price point at which this metal comes, it is also sought after for its durability. It is resistant to shattering, as well as being lightweight and tarnish free.
Melting Point: 2715 °C.
Is it Resizable: No
Price Range: £
Tantalum
Tantalum is another metal with a naturally interesting colour. It has a slate bluish-grey tinge and is becoming more and more popular due to its affordability, density and similar malleability to gold which means it can be resized.
Tough and durable, it’s a contemporary take on the classic wedding ring, with an eye-catching appearance.
Melting Point: 3017 °C.
Is it Resizable: Yes
Price Range: £
Final Thoughts
There are many ways that you can approach picking out your wedding ring metal. Their features and critical properties are worth taking into consideration. Perhaps the vital place to start is by finding out if you have any allergies that may restrict your options.
Once this is out of the way, consider the sort of look that you like. It may be a matter of looking at the colours of several rings to see if anything appeals to your sense of style. When it comes to colour, your skin tone might play a role in the decision-making. Most people would like a ring that compliments their skin tone.
Pricing should also be considered. It will play a part in determining which one you will end up with. There are various purchasing plans on offer from jewellers. Knowing the price point will also give you some time to save up the money or factor it into your wedding budget.
