You might be tempted to believe when you set out ring shopping that your option of wedding band metals will be rather simple: gold or silver. Regrettably, there are various selections in varying hues, strengths, and cost ranges to consider.
Yellow Gold
Gold is the traditional wedding and engagement ring metal. It will not tarnish, corrode, or rust. Pure 24k gold is also soft for wedding rings so it is alloyed with other metals (usually nickel, which some consumers are allergic to). Gold rings are normally either 18k or 14k gold - 18k has a richer color for the reason that of its higher gold content material.
Rose Gold
Rose gold is a fairly pink-tinted 14k or 18k gold, with the really feel of yellow gold plus a tiny additional warmth. Rose gold is created by making use of a copper alloy, which can be customized to your specifications. The way more copper, the pinker the resulting color will be. Colors can differ from close to-gold to copper-colored to close to-pink. Rose gold rings are feminine and one of a kind.
White Gold
Like yellow gold, white gold rings are typically either 14k or 18k. To lessen the yellow color, the gold is combined with distinct alloys and plated with a thin layer of rhodium - a hard, shiny white metal. Sooner or later, the rhodium will wear away and your ring will need to have to be re-plated. White gold is quite possibly the most well-known silver-colored metal for engagement and wedding rings. It is less expensive than its usual competitor, platinum.
Platinum
Platinum has long been the common alternative to white gold. It is a lot alot more highly-priced, but also much additional durable. It is also 95% pure and hypoallergenic, and does not lose metal when scratched. All it wants is a easy buffing to make it look like new. Over time, platinum develops a satin sheen (called a patina), which can either be left as is or polished on a regular basis. Platinum rings are heavier than gold.
Palladium
Palladium is a member of the platinum family members of metals. Like platinum, it will not tarnish and is hypoallergenic. But it is considerably less highly-priced than platinum, and is slightly darker and grayer in color. Palladium fees about the exact same as white gold but in no way has to be re-plated, saving income more than the lengthy term.
Titanium
Titanium's cool gray (or polished black) finish is most regularly observed in men's rings. Titanium is corrosion-resistant, hypoallergenic, and practically weightless - best for men who do not like wearing heavy jewelry about. This metal is beneficial for outdoorsmen or many people who do rough operate with their hands, but the disadvantage is that titanium rings cannot be resized. Titanium is strong, but can nonetheless be cut off in the event of an emergency.
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten carbide, an additional men's wedding ring metal, is a steel gray alloy about four times tougher than titanium. It remains permanently polished, by no means warps or bends, and can only be scratched by a diamond or a item containing corundum. Steer clear of tungsten rings with cobalt, since cobalt reacts with your skin to develop permanent oxidation spots on your ring. Tungsten rings cannot be resized, and not all E.R. doctors know how to cut off a tungsten carbide ring (ordinary ring-cutters will not do the job.)
Cobalt Chrome
Cobalt chrome combines the light color of platinum with the durability of tungsten or titanium. The surface is scratch- and tarnish-resistant. Cobalt chrome is heavier than stainless steel but lighter than tungsten. Cobalt chrome is most quite often applied in wedding bands for men.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver rings are an ultra price-conscious option to regular wedding band supplies. Obtainable on the net (wedding jewelers do not carry them), they are set with a cubic zirconia rather than a diamond - meaning that a full wedding set (stone, engagement setting, and wedding ring) can expense as small as $30. Most sterling silver rings are plated with rhodium, which does fade and need re-plating more than the course of its life.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the cost-conscious option for men's rings. Stainless steel is really durable, keeps up a good polish, and is hypoallergenic. It is one of the most budget friendly metals, perfect for couples on a spending budget. Like sterling silver wedding rings, stainless steel rings can normally only be purchased online with a cubic zirconia rather of a diamond.
Pick cautiously the metal you will use for your engagement and wedding ring set. It makes a huge distinction in the general appearance of your ring and will establish the kinds of jewelry your wife can wear devoid of clashing from now on!
Copyright © 2010-2011 Rose Haller & WeddingLDS. All rights reserved.
0Awesome Comments!