When you think of fine wedding jewelry, gold and silver rings typically come to mind.
However, there are numerous other precious metals each with their own unique set of characteristics to consider that allow you greater freedom and precision when it comes to selecting your ideal piece of jewelry.
We will showcase for you 6 different metals to consider for your next piece of jewelry.
Gold
Credit: Haverhill
Gold is an industry favorite for engagement rings and is an incredibly versatile material to work with. The purity of gold is measured in karats, with 1 karat equal to 1/24 gold.
10k gold is 10/24 (41.6%) gold and comparatively, 14k gold is 14/24 (58.3%) gold. 24k gold is considered 100% pure gold, but is fragile and not well suited for jewelry applications given how malleable it is (soft enough to bend between your fingers!)
When you mix gold with other metals to create unique alloys, you can end up with color variations. For example, mixing in palladium or nickel creates white gold with a brilliant sheen while rose gold is made by mixing it with copper which has a reddish color.
Gold bridal jewelry is exquisitely beautiful with its flattering hue and easily resized compared to the other much harder materials on this list. However, given gold’s malleability, the material requires more care and maintenance as it tends to scratch easier and will require more polishing once in a while to remove blemishes and tarnishing.
Platinum
Credit: Marin Aleksov
Platinum wedding rings are a popular choice for couples in modern jewelry. It’s valued for its durability and gives off a lustrous white and silver sheen.
It has high strength and is hard to dent, although it can be prone to scratches. It’s exponentially rarer than gold but as a result, is comparatively expensive.
What makes platinum a great choice is that it is relatively easy to maintain as it is tarnish and oxidization-resistant. Due to the material’s strength and hardness, intricacies such as engravings appear sharper and the brightness of the metal is ideal for showcasing diamonds and stones.
For any jewelry to be officially categorized as platinum, it must have a purity of at least 90% platinum.
Credit: SGL Labs
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an extremely versatile choice of materials for rings. It’s typically made from an alloy of chromium nickel and titanium, both with high levels of durability.
As a result, steel rings are scratch and corrosion resistant due to the outer layer of chromium.
Like many other metals, they can be polished to a shiny surface and can be easily cleaned using soap and water, making maintenance very handy as special cleaning solution is not required.
The biggest draw of stainless steel is its affordability. It is not considered a precious metal but those with nickel-sensitivities may want to consider another materials as it is not hypoallergenic.
If you’re looking for a minimalist look on or a ring that can withstand tough conditions without breaking the bank, stainless steel is a great option.
Titanium
Credit: Pinterest
Titanium is one of the strongest elements on earth, so it’s no surprise that it makes its way as a mainstay material for wedding bands.
Like the other metals on this list, it’s incredibly resistance to wear and tear, and will not oxidize over time, thus preserving its grey-silvery color.
So why choose titanium? Well, its high strength allows for innovative and more delicate stone setting than traditional softer jewellery metals. This means that stone settings in titanium resist loosening very well. If you combine that with its light weight and ease of maintenance, you’ve got a long-lasting ring that will look great for years to come. As a material, it is incredibly strong and will not bend or crack easily.
One perceived drawback is that titanium typically comes in naturally unshiny matte finish that is grey-silver in color, which may not make it the most appealing metal at first glance. However, a benefit is that it can be anodized to a variety of colors.
The other drawback is that its high strength does not make these rings easy to resize, so be sure to measure twice before you set your heart on a titanium ring.
Tungsten
Credit: Sheffield Gauge Plate
Stemming from the Swedish word “heavy stone”, tungsten carbide is technically a metal/ceramic hybrid. Tungsten is one of the hardest materials on earth and rates at a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, just below diamond material at a 10 out of 10. Naturally, that means that only a diamond can scratch it, so you can rest assured it will be nigh bulletproof for scratch resistance.
Credit: Amazon
Due to its material makeup, it’s a heavier material but will not bend out of shape. It’s naturally hypoallergenic and above all, very affordable for the modern consumer.
Just like titanium though, they are difficult to resize, but can come in many gorgeous patterns with inlays from other materials like wood, carbon fiber, and various precious metals.
Elysium
Credit: Precious Metals
Last on our list is a rather new type of product called Elysium. It is gaining popularity in the industry and its unique in its properties.
So what is it? Elysium is actually made of 100% crushed diamonds that have been pressed together to form a single solid piece.
Yep, that’s right. The diamonds are compressed so tightly that light literally cannot pass through which is what gives it the black color.
Due to this unique makeup, it is 4 times harder than Tungsten and cannot be scratched except by another diamond. It will never fade or change color. An interesting fact is due to their unique thermo conducting properties, these rings can actually transfer heat and allow them to melt ice upon contact. Pretty neat, if you ask us.
What’s the catch? As you can imagine, diamonds are in the higher echelon of the price scale, so you’re paying a premium for something that is made entirely of it. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1000 to $8000 and upward depending on the detail.
Elysium is the ultimate luxury if you’re looking for something interesting and have the budget for it.