Wedding rings are simple. And that’s what makes them beautiful…
However, picking one isn’t easy. Because aesthetics aside, you have to seriously consider the ring’s metal.
After all, you’re supposed to wear that ring for life.
What That Means.
Your ring has to withstand abuse and exposure. So it cannot be a cheap metal that wastes fast…
It must be made from a hard metal. And it has to resist corrosion, rust, scratches, and much more.
With all that in mind, you’ll find your options limited to a select few…
#1 – The 4 Wedding Ring Metals.
Those would be…
- Gold.
- Platinum.
- Silver.
- Palladium.
They’re all jewelry metals. And all of them (except silver) are expensive…
However, they’re used for a reason. That is, they’re strong and durable.
As key components of a wedding ring, those metals last you years. And rightfully so, since many are mined in their pure form.
That’s how strong each metal is.
Key Note.
Palladium and Platinum are less known metals. Yet, they’re rarer (and more expensive) than gold.
Surprising, right?
So keep that in mind when considering a ring of either metal. It’ll set you back tons of money.
#2 – Understand Wedding Alloys.
The previous metals, while strong, are never the sole components of wedding rings.
However, the level of purity/impurity differs, depending on the metal. So let’s look at each one separately…
Gold.
At 24 carats (99% purity), you’ll find it a little soft.
It’s not too soft to the point of mushiness. But it won’t withstand the abuse of a wedding ring.
So you won’t find wedding rings made of 24 carat gold.
Instead, you’ll usually find 18 carats (75% purity). At those grades, it’s mixed with other cheap metals (like Copper and Silver).
And For a Reason…
Gold jewelry comes in different colors. You can get while gold, and rose gold too!
But those colors come from alloy mixes. Because gold in its pure form is yellow.
So if you want a unique-colored gold ring, expect to settle for a lower purity. However, the durability of the ring will make it a worthwhile investment.
Platinum & Palladium.
Unlike gold, you can get rings at really high grades.
Specifically, you can get Platinum and Palladium 950 – which is a 95% purity.
But do note that those are a little expensive. After all, a gram of platinum is $30.
So for a 4 gram ring (which is average), you spend about $120. And this doesn’t include workmanship costs…
Silver.
More affordable. Also, you get high grades without problems.
At minimum, you’ll find Silver 925 rings as the standard (92.5% purity). The rest is usually copper, nickel, and cheaper metals.
And silver works really well. Especially for male rings.
Speaking of those…
#3 – Picking a Metal for Your Gender.
Gold works for women more than men.
The bright yellowish color is seen as more feminine. However, there are gold men’s wedding rings on the market.
Platinum and Palladium are more unisex. They both provide a beautiful whitish color suitable for all skin tones.
And then you have silver. This is the male wedding ring.
We’d actually recommend that for men. It’s a cheap option, especially if you’re on a budget.
But – Feel Free to Pick The Best for You.
Because who knows, maybe the whiter metals work best.
Maybe gold is the option you love.
Regardless of your tastes, you need options. You need to explore mens wedding ring samples on the before committing.
To start your research, we recommend visiting the Orla James shop.
Not only will you find good samples to sift through. But you can make your own custom rings too!
Visit the site, and check out their lineup!