Wedding Band Metal Types
Nearly 5,000 years ago, using the grass and hemp growing around them, ancient Egyptians began to fashion circles to symbolize eternity. They wore the circles on the third finger, believed to contain a vein leading straight to the heart known as the "vein of love." Eternity is a long time to commit to wearing anything, so choose carefully when you select a symbol of love to adorn your hand for as long as you both shall live.
Other People Are Reading
-
Platinum
-
Rare, pure and naturally hypo-allergenic, platinum tops the price list for precious metals. As of 2011, an average 5 mm wedding band setting could add upwards of $800 to the price of one set in 14k gold. Unlike the less pricey yellow and white gold options, which typically contain 50 to 75 percent actual gold, platinum rings consist of 90 to 95 percent actual platinum and only a small percentage of iridium or cobalt. Resilient and durable, pure-white platinum makes a well-matched mate to a diamond, offering security and maximum clarity in its display.
Palladium
-
As pure and naturally hypo-allergenic as platinum, palladium compares in price to yellow or white gold, making it a far less costly option. Palladium comprises 90 to 95 percent actual palladium and only a small percentage of ruthenium and gallium. Its pure-white color compares to that of platinum, only it's slightly darker. Palladium rates 120 to 125 (HV) on the Vicker's Scale of Hardness, and not all jewelers are trained and equipped to offer maintenance, due to the considerable amount of heat required for repairs.
-
Titanium
-
Lightweight titanium makes a good choice for people who aren't accustomed to wearing jewelry. Steel gray in color, titanium is not actually a precious metal like platinum or palladium but an industrial metal created on expensive and sophisticated machinery. Titanium can be polished at signs of wear but can't be soldered or re-sized like platinum, palladium or gold.
Gold
-
Ranging in purity levels from 10k to 18k (24k being too soft for daily wear), gold is one of the easiest and most practical precious metal to wear and repair. Gold in its purest form is a yellow metal that can be combined with a nickel alloy and dipped in rhodium to create a whiter appearance known as white gold, or combined with a copper alloy to create a pinkish appearance known as rose gold. While gold is not as long-lasting as its peers, it is easily customizable and repairable as well as less costly.
Tungsten
-
Tungsten, like titanium, is an industrial metal created by expensive and sophisticated machinery. When forged together with carbide powder, tungsten offers an appealing weight, scratch-resistant surface and polished smoky-gray tone. Available at approximately 50 to 70 percent less than titanium as of 2011, tungsten rings must be sized carefully because they can't be soldered or re-sized like platinum, palladium or gold.
Sterling Silver
-
The most affordable, yet least valuable of the precious metals, sterling silver consists of 92.5 percent pure silver combined with 7.5 percent copper, resulting in a vibrant white metallic finish. Sterling silver requires an ample amount of care as it can tarnish easily when exposed to excessive moisture, salt air and sulfur-containing products like rubber bands and some papers. Proper cleaning techniques, storage in flannel or "Pacific" cloth to keep it dry and prevent tarnish, and daily wear will minimize the visual effects of tarnish.
-
References
- Photo Credit woman showing her diamond ring image by Tracy Martinez from Fotolia.com
