Metal on the Mind

If you're thinking about your wedding band but don't quite know where to start, here is an overview of common wedding ring metals.

These days, the traditional gold wedding band is just one of many ideas to choose from for your wedding rings.

Beyond the addition of diamonds and other gems, the range of metals to choose from is quite extensive. Here is a list of the most popular metals, each with its own perks and distinctive qualities.

Yellow Gold: While this is the most traditional choice, it is still a great one. Pure gold is often referred to as 24ct, but as it is quite soft and malleable, it is not the most desirable for an everyday band. The more common, lower carats (9ct, 14ct and 18ct) have a certain amount of alloy combined so that they are much more durable.

As a rule, these carat sizes contain the following percentages of gold:

9 carat: 37.5%

14 carat: 58.3% (the most popular choice)

18 carat: 75%

As can be expected, the higher the carat is, the richer the colour will be. It is also more resistant to tarnishing, although a bit more susceptible to wear marks. Of course as well, the higher the carat, the more expensive the gold.

White Gold: White gold is made from yellow gold and an array of alloys. Rhodium plating is often applied to the white gold to give it its deeper, whiter, platinum look. Be aware that this plating does wear off over time, so it will require more applications in the future.

The scale of carats is the same for white as it is for yellow gold. However, the higher the carat of white gold, the deeper the gunmetal white colour.

Rose Gold: Rose gold is alloyed with a small amount of copper, which gives it its rosy pink tinge. With rose gold, the higher the carat the more yellow the metal appears.

For gold in general, the more alloy employed, the greater the risk of allergic reaction.

* Always look for the carat mark - "ct" - that should be stamped on the inside of the band.

Platinum: This is the most durable, and thus most expensive, metal. It's the strongest precious metal used in jewellery and is oftentimes the heaviest. Platinum is a steely white colour, of which many people are attracted to its pure luster.

Platinum used for jewellery is ideally 95% pure. It is often combined with ruthenium alloy, which provides for the highest purity. Alternatively, platinum can be combined with other alloys, including cobalt, copper or iridium.

It is naturally hypoallergenic and does not tarnish. An interesting final note: unlike many of its precious metal counterparts, when platinum is scratched, no metal is lost; rather, the metal is "displaced" and can be polished back to its original state.

* Remember to check for the "PT950" or "PLAT" stamp on the inside of your band.

Palladium - Palladium is a platinum group metal that, in its latest alloy composition, has an amazing similarity to platinum...but for a fraction of the cost. Click here to read a brilliant article about palladium written by Ian Douglas of The Village Goldsmith.

Tungsten - Tungsten carbide rings are a fairly new addition to the wedding ring market. It is an unconventional metal, of which the high-tech process of creating it is quite advanced. It is dark grey in colour, hypoallergenic, extremely hard and resistant. Its masculine appearance makes it a metal more often chosen for the groom's ring.

One interesting characteristic: Tungsten rings are so strong they cannot be resized.

Tungsten wedding bands are less expensive than gold or platinum, but marginally more expensive than titanium.

Titanium - Titanium rings are extremely durable (more so than gold or platinum), very inexpensive and almost feather light. They are a grey white colour and hypoallergenic.

Like tungsten rings, titanium rings cannot be made smaller, although they can be made slightly larger.

Stainless Steel - This metal is not considered "precious", but it is both durable and hypoallergenic. It is an alloy combination of steel and chromium, giving it a deep grey colour. It is pretty much resistant to corrosion and discoloration, and it is truly inexpensive (often costing less than $150).

Sterling Silver - This is quite an affordable option, but it is very prone to scratches, corrosion and general wear and tear. Sterling silver is usually not the best choice for wedding bands, because of day-to-day wear; its softness is also not ideal for stones, as it is not strong enough to support such settings.