Choosing Engagement and Wedding Rings
Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Titanium and Tungsten Bands Compared
Jul 17, 2009
When the parents of today’s brides and grooms were married, chances are their choice of rings was limited to the traditional yellow gold. The range of rings available is now very much wider.
Gold – Traditional Yellow and Fashionable White
The giving and receiving of gold rings has been a symbol of marriage for centuries, and yellow gold remains the traditional choice for engagements and weddings today. When buying gold, always look for the carat mark (k or kt) – the higher the value, the purer the metal. Pure gold (24k) is generally too soft for use in jewellery; more durable 9, 18 or 22 carat gold is more commonly used.
In recent years, yellow gold has been overtaken by white in popularity. White gold gets its colour from the addition of small amounts of palladium, and often a plating of the rare metal rhodium. This gives a fashionable white metal look without the expense of platinum, and makes white gold bands more hard-wearing than yellow. In an engagement ring, white gold complements diamonds beautifully.
Platinum and Palladium – White Metals for Large and More Limited Budgets
Platinum has become the high-fashion look for wedding bands, but is also very expensive. It has a heavier, more substantial feel than gold and, being harder, is much more scratch-resistant. This also makes platinum more difficult for jewellers to work with, which, together with its scarcity, accounts for the high cost. Most of the platinum used in jewellery-making is 95% pure.
Palladium is related to platinum, but is lighter in weight and cheaper. It is just as durable, however, and is an ideal alternative to platinum for the more budget-conscious couple.
Titanium and Tungsten – New Options for Modern Brides and Grooms
Titanium is a relative newcomer on the wedding ring scene. It more durable than gold, platinum and palladium but light in weight, with a silvery-grey surface. This metal is often used to make watch straps and cases, and is therefore a popular choice for men’s rings. Unlike the other wedding band metals, titanium jewellery can be produced in a range of beautiful, iridescent colours – a great choice for couples who like to stand out from the crowd.
Tungsten offers the ultimate in durability. It is the hardest of all metals used for jewellery, virtually indestructible and almost totally scratch-resistant. A tungsten wedding ring really does last a lifetime, and this idea of permanence is making it an increasingly popular option. The hard-wearing properties of tungsten may be especially attractive to couples who lead active, outdoor lives.
Titanium and tungsten are both so hard that once a ring has been made, it is impossible to resize – an important point to remember when buying rings produced from these metals.
Making it Easier to Choose the Rings
Wedding and engagement rings are the foremost symbols of a couple’s love and commitment to one another, so it is important to choose them wisely. As with all aspects of wedding planning, the sheer range of options can be overwhelming, but just a little forethought before visiting the jeweller should make the process easier.
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