Choosing the right wedding band involves several factors, some of which are more influential than others. The choice of wedding band material is one of the most important, which is why an informed choice must be made.
Making an informed choice starts with knowing the options and what they offer. By the way, there is a long list of metallic materials used for making wedding bands. There are also non-metallic options. For more conversations about this, you can click: https://www.quora.com/.
However, metallic options remain the popular choice, which is why knowledge of what several options offer is highly relevant. Read on as this article examines some of these materials.
Exploring Features & Benefits of Metallic Wedding Band Materials
Some of the metallic materials used for making wedding bands and what they offer include the following:
1. Gold
Various categories of wedding bands fit into this major class. The reason is because of the several alloys. Some of them include:
Rose Gold
This alloy involves a mixture of copper and gold. This combination makes it very stylish, hypoallergenic, and long-lasting. Furthermore, its hue is unique compared to several other gold alloys used for making wedding bands. This is considering that it is warm pink.
White Gold
This alloy is not definite as it can either be a mixture of gold with nickel or palladium. It is one that usually appeals to those who love the idea of a wedding band with contemporary aesthetics. Its bright finish, which is often a result of its rhodium plating also contributes to this.
However, caution is of the essence so as not to lose the shine. Furthermore, re-plating will be required at some point. So, those who opt for it need to bear this in mind.
Yellow Gold
This is one of the most popular options, majorly because of its hue. It is usually in grades, which also determine its value and features. For example, there are the 14, 18, and 24 karat offering varying degrees of durability.
2. Palladium
Generally, palladium is not as common as several other alternatives. This is especially the case with gold. Some people even mistake it for platinum, especially because of how similar they look. However, they are different.
The fact that it does not tarnish is one of the most remarkable things about it. For better context, this implies that there would be very little or no need for re-plating. You can check here for more information on why this metal is very tarnish-resistant.
By the way, the benefits do not stop at the above listed. There is also the lightweight and affordability advantage when compared to several other alternatives.
3. Platinum
Some people who turn to palladium are looking for something close to platinum. The question is why?
It is mostly because of the higher price tag that platinum usually commands. However, some think that it is every bit worth it considering all that is offered.
For starters, it is tarnish-resistant; eliminating the need for re-plating at any point. This also means that it is very easy to maintain. Secondly, it is very hypoallergenic, which makes it ideal for people who have sensitive skin.
Furthermore, it tends to look better over time, which is not the case with several other alternatives as they fade. This is down to its natural patina, which is popularly found appealing.
4. Silver
Its budget-friendly status is something that makes it the choice for some people. However, its softness also needs to be taken into account.
Furthermore, there are several silver alloys and the one chosen determines a lot, especially as it concerns durability and scratch resistance. For example, pure silver is nowhere near sterling silver in terms of durability.
5. Titanium
It has an impressive blend of features that make it very suitable for very active people. Resistance to corrosion, strength, and lightweight are some of the features, to mention a few. By the way, it is one of the ideal wedding band materials for even those with sensitive skin. However, it is not without its issues.
One such and a very common one at that is how difficult resizing it can be. Its strength, which is ordinarily an advantage, turns out to be a disadvantage in this regard.
6. Tungsten
There are not too many alternatives stronger than tungsten wedding bands. Coupled with its scratch-resistant feature, it is indeed very durable. As a result, it is one to be seriously considered by people who indulge in activities that would normally cause wear and tear on wedding bands.
However, it also has a resizing issue, which is why getting a proper fit is seriously advised. For better context, it is a lot easier to resize titanium than tungsten, despite the known difficulty of resizing titanium.
Final Note
6 common metallic wedding band materials and what they offer have been discussed here. While there are several other materials besides these, certain things should influence your choice of wedding band material.
Factors such as budget, allergies, lifestyle, resizing needs, and aesthetics are high on the list. Taking these into serious consideration increases the likelihood of choosing the right wedding band material.
