The [6 best] metal for a men's wedding band?

July 29, 2018

How to Choose the Perfect Metal for Your Wedding Band

The symbolism and custom of wearing wedding rings dates back centuries. T

he first recorded evidence of it was in Ancient Egypt where couples would present each other with braided rings made out of hemp or reeds, to symbolize eternal love and commitment (as the circle has no beginning or end).

(I wish I could give my girl this baby instead of a diamond that costs thousands)

Egyptian wedding ring

These materials did not last long and were soon replaced with bands made from more durable materials such as leather, bone, ivory and iron. The value of the ring was a symbol of the net worth of the giver and it was thought that the more expensive the material, the more love was being shown.

Whilst in modern society we may not measure the depth of our love and commitment by the amount we spend on our rings, it IS wise to spend some time choosing the perfect metal for your wedding band.

No longer are we limited to gold or silver. Today, materials such as Platinum, Titanium, Tungsten and even Stainless Steel are becoming increasingly popular.

Unless you’re a metal smith, choosing the right metal for your wedding band can get a bit confusing (and you may spend a lot of time Googling and going down the rabbit hole that is the internet).

We’ve compiled an easy, no-fuss guide that will help you in your search – the focus is on bands for males because that’s what we’re all about (and nope, there’s no rule which states that couples have to get their wedding bands from the same place or even have them made out of the same material).

Things to Think About

When it comes to choosing the perfect metal for your wedding band, it comes down to what you’re looking for in a wedding ring. Here are some factors that may come into play:

Aesthetics – Do you need your ring to be a certain color? Some metals such as Titanium can be plated or customized in many different colors and inlays. Other materials such as Silver only comes in one color.
Fade – If your ring is plated, it made fade to its original color over time (although you may choose to replace it further down the track, this is an extra expense to take into consideration at the time of purchase).
Scratch Resistance – How important is it to you that your ring is scratch free? Would you mind buffing it every now and then (and is the metal you choose able to be buffed?)
Affordability – What’s your budget for the ring? Do you prefer a metal that’s cheaper (like Stainless Steel) or something more expensive (like Platinum), or something that’s cost effective for its benefits (such as Titanium or Tungsten)?
High Value Metal – How important is it to you and your partner that your ring is made out of a high value precious metal (like Platinum or Gold)?
Hypoallergenic Level - Certain rings may cause an allergic reaction. There’s nothing worse than not being able to wear your own wedding band! You may wish to choose a hypoallergenic metal (and avoid nickel alloys) if you think this might be the case.
Density (Weight) – How do you like the feel of your ring? Do you prefer something that’s heavier (like Tungsten) or do you prefer your ring to be so light that it feels like you’re not wearing a ring at all (like Titanium)?

Once you’ve considered what’s important to you and your partner in choosing a wedding band, you may wish to compare your list against the main advantages and disadvantages for each type of metal.

Below is a great summary of the popular rings metals.

Key:
Cost: more bags equals a higher cost.
Scratch proof: more knives equals more scratch proof.
Ring styles: the more styles the more flexible with shape and color.
Weight: more anvils means the metal is heavier.

Ring qualities

Platinum

Although Platinum has been around for a long time, its use in jewelry is relatively recent. Its extremely high melting point and resistance to corrosion means it was incredibly difficult to refine until technology caught up.

Overview:

Cost: $500-$1000
Durability: Very strong and will not lose it's shape
Scratch: Easy to scratch but can be buffed nicely
Colors: Only comes in Platinum color
Weight: In the middle of the spectrum for weight
Allergies: it is hypoallergenic so it will not cause a skin reaction

PROS:

It's very beautiful bright white color.
It’s also a very strong metal to corrosion and overall wear.
Naturally hypoallergenic.
Can be buffed to bring back to original quality.

CONS:

It’s by far the most expensive metal
It only comes in Platinum color so if you want black, gray or something else you can't get it.
It scratches fairly easily. Those stretches can be buffed out because it is a very durable metal but scratches will come.

Gold (Yellow, White, Rose)

Yellow gold is a very traditional choice for wedding rings. White gold comes in a beautiful white sheen similar to Platinum. Pink or Rose Gold is often used in colored rings to offset the more traditional white or yellow gold color.

Overview:

Cost: $300-$600
Durability: Very soft and will lose shape over time
Scratch: Easy to scratch but can be buffed nicely
Colors: Naturally it's yellow gold, can be plated to white or rose
Weight: It's pretty light and comfortable
Allergies: Depending on the mix to make it stronger it can cause allergies but is rare

PROS:

Gold is the traditional choice for a wedding ring.
It is a gorgeous bright color
It can be resized
The scratches are be buffed out
Naturally hypoallergenic.

CONS:

Gold is quite soft so it will wear down and lose shape over time.
It’s also considered a high value metal, so it’s more expensive than other metals (although cheaper than Platinum).
It is fairly easy to scratch but it can be buffed back to original shine.
Yellow gold won’t fade, but white and rose plated gold may fade to a yellow tint overtime.

Silver

Silver is a popular choice for wedding rings because of its high shine and relatively low price. It's always been thought of as Golds stepbrother.

Overview:

Cost: $150-$250
Durability: Silver will lose shape over time
Scratch: It is very easy to scratch but can be buffed
Colors: Only comes in silver
Weight: Middle of the spectrum for weight not heavy but not light
Allergies: it is hypoallergenic so it will not cause a skin reaction

PROS:

Silver is one of the least expensive precious metal.
It has a beautiful white sheen.
It’s also hypoallergenic
It won't fade as silver is its natural color.
Silver rings can easily be resized and are polishable, meaning scratches can be buffed back to look like new.

CONS:

Silver can be easily tarnished or scratched and is only available in Silver color.
Only comes in one color.
Not very durable, it will lose shape and scratch fairly easily (not as easily as gold though).

Titanium

Titanium is a more modern wedding band metal. It is incredibly light, as Titanium has the strongest strength to weight ratio of any element on our planet.

Overview:

Cost: $150-$250
Durability: Will not lose shape with normal wear
Scratch: It's nicely scratch resistant, it's harder to scratch than Gold/Platinum
Colors: Comes in many different colors because it can be plated
Weight: It is unbelievable light making it very comfortable to wear
Allergies: it is hypoallergenic so it will not cause a skin reaction

PROS:

It’s also incredibly strong and durable, will not use shape.
Cost effective, especially for all of it's benefits
Titanium is hypoallergenic making it perfect for those with sensitivities to wearing jewelry.
It’s also polishable meaning scratches can be buffed to look like new.
It’s a very light metal
Can be plated and customized in many different colors and inlays.

CONS:

Titanium cannot be resized because it is such a strong metal
If it is plated to a different color the plating can wear over time. It's original color is a beautiful gray

**Titanium is our favorite metal and what we carry in at Simple Bands.

Tungsten

Tungsten is one of the lesser known metals to be used in wedding rings. It has become increasingly popular in recent times, particularly for those with hardwearing jobs because of its scratch resistant nature. Tungsten gives a lustrous color that polishes to a unique and attractive mirror finish.

Overview:

Cost: $175-$300
Durability: It is the strongest metal and will not lose shape
Scratch: It's very hard to scratch
Colors: Comes in many different colors because it can be plated
Weight: Very heavy compared to all other rings, it can be uncomfortable
Allergies: it is hypoallergenic so it will not cause a skin reaction

PROS:

Affordable price, usually slightly more than Titanium because of costs in the manufacturing process
Tungsten is one of the most scratch resistant metals
Extremely strong and will lose bend or lose shape. It will actually shatter before it will bend.
Tungsten is also hypoallergenic
Can get it plated or customized in different colors and inlays.

CONS:

Very heavy making it less comfortable for most people
Due to its hardness, Tungsten is not resizable
It's so hard it can actually be brittle and can break or shatter.
It’s not naturally as white as Platinum, and if plated, the colors may fade to its original form over time.

Stainless Steel

This metal is a popular choice for those with a small budget (aka those who wish to spend more on their holidays than on their rings!) It’s also a very easy metal for jewelers to work with.

Overview:

Cost: $100-$200
Durability: It's pretty durable but can lose shape eventually
Scratch: Easy to scratch but can be buffed
Colors: Comes in many different colors because it can be plated
Weight: One of the heavier metals, just behind Tungsten in weight
Allergies: it is hypoallergenic so it will not cause a skin reaction

PROS:

It’s the cheapest of all the metals
Relatively strong and durable. Stronger than Gold/Silver/Platinum or less than Tungsten and Titanium
It’s hypoallergenic so it won't cause allergies

CONS:

Stainless Steel is slightly whiter than Titanium but not quite as white as precious metals such as Platinum and Silver.
It scratches easily but can be polished
Steel doesn’t have the ‘prestige’ of some of the precious metals and it will show wear and tear over time.
It's heavy compared to everything but Tungsten

Go Forth and Choose Your Ring!

Hopefully our guide has highlighted some of the most important considerations to take into account when choosing the metal for your wedding band. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We hope you find a wedding band that suits your needs and will be a symbol of your love and commitment to each other for years to come!