Traditionally, a groom’s choices in wedding bands have been rather limited. However, as modern grooms become more involved and interested in how their wedding band will look on their finger and reflect their lifestyle and personality, those choices have expanded. Today, there are more wedding band options for the groom to choose from than ever before, including different metal options. In this blog, we take a look at some of the different wedding band metals and their unique qualities. And with a better understanding of these qualities, you’ll be able to choose the best metal for your wedding band.
Metal types
Gold – Gold is of course a traditional metal for men’s wedding bands. It is a timeless choice and offers its own variety of colors: white, yellow, rose/pink and even green. To get these different colors, the gold is mixed with other metals. Yellow gold, for example, is mixed with copper and silver. White gold, on the other hand, is sometimes mixed with nickel. If you are allergic to nickel, make sure you choose a gold that is not mixed with nickel.
Men’s mixed yellow and white gold ring.
Titanium – Titanium is another lightweight, popular metal for men’s wedding rings. It’s also affordable and can be treated to come in different colors. In addition, titanium is both strong and versatile in that it can be shaped into a variety of styles.
Tungsten – Good for people who work in a rugged environment, tungsten is one of the toughest wedding band metals available. It is scratch resistant and incredibly hard. It’s also plentiful, which makes it more affordable than many of the other metals. If you like a bold, masculine look, tungsten is an excellent choice. Another added benefit is that it is non-reactive so it won’t cause skin discoloration or an allergic reaction.
Brass – Brass wedding bands have a beautiful luster and warm, rich tones and can be very attractive when combined with a small stone or special designs and finishes. It’s primarily composed of copper and zinc, but can contain other metals as well. It’s also budget friendly.
Men’s classic brass ring.
Palladium – A highly durable metal, palladium has become an increasingly popular choice among grooms in spite of it being rather pricey. Palladium’s high price is due to its rarity, but for some, its high durability and light weight make it worth the price. Palladium has an attractive, high-shine, steely white look.
Platinum – Rarer than gold, brilliant and inherently valuable, platinum is a favorite choice for grooms if price isn’t a real obstacle and heaviness isn’t an issue. Platinum is slightly denser and stronger than palladium and has a higher resistance to rust and corrosion, but it can lose its luster if it’s not polished occasionally.
Men’s wedding band with princess cut diamonds.
Carbon fiber – Rings made from carbon fiber are for the tech or athletic crowd because they’re very edgy and sleek looking while also lightweight and durable.
Sterling silver – Silver is a good choice if you’re budget-conscious, and many attractively designed wedding bands can be made using sterling silver. Sterling silver bands are good for people who plan to wear them only occasionally as they are soft and more vulnerable to damage. They also oxidize easily. However, sterling silver can be plated with rhodium to prevent oxidation and the plating comes in a selection of colors.
Silver textured men’s ring.
Cobalt – Cobalt, another contemporary, sleek metal for wedding bands, has not only a striking luster, but it’s also very resistant to scratches and dents, is fairly lightweight, and is very affordable. Its main drawback is that it has only a limited selection of color options.
Tantalum – Tantalum is one of the most popular alternative metals used for men’s wedding bands today. Tantalum wedding bands are not only contemporary and attractive, they’re also different enough to set your wedding ring apart. Plus, they’ve got beautiful luster and are extremely durable. And They don’t corrode, shatter, or tarnish and they’re low-maintenance as well as hypoallergenic. It’s even reasonably priced given its rarity. One drawback? Tantalum can’t be resized easily, which is sometimes needed as we age.
Stainless steel – And don’t overlook the stainless steel option. Wedding bands made from stainless steel are extremely strong and durable, resistant to scratching and have attractive polish and finish options. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable options available.
Additional considerations…
In addition to the qualities mentioned above, here are a few other things to think about when choosing a metal for your wedding band:
Your budget. As with any significant purchase, your first step is to determine your budget, and of course, the metal type you choose will influence cost. Fortunately, as you can see, the different metals you have to choose from make it easier to stay within your budget and still get a beautiful, high-quality wedding band that matches your personal tastes and style.
