One of the key steps in choosing your wedding ring is selecting the precious metal. Gold, silver and platinum all have their own special qualities and characteristics – so how can you decide on the best wedding ring metal for you and your partner?
We’ve put together a comprehensive wedding ring metals guide to help you choose. Read on to discover how different precious metals compare in terms of their appearance and durability, and how to make the right choice for your budget.
The best metals for wedding rings
Gold, silver or platinum? Your dream wedding ring can be made in your choice of metal. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each one.
Platinum
There are a lot of reasons to love platinum. Naturally white in colour, platinum has a lustrous shine that gives it a luxurious appearance. Because it’s denser than gold, a platinum wedding ring feels reassuringly weighty on your finger, too. This beautiful metal is also very practical, which is important when it comes to a wedding ring that you’ll wear every day. Both strong and durable, platinum doesn’t need to be alloyed with a large proportion of other metals before being worked into jewellery, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something hypoallergenic.
Overall, a platinum wedding ring will always be a luxury choice. This precious metal is prized for its rarity (it’s 30 times rarer than gold), and you’ll see this reflected in the price; platinum is more expensive than gold or silver.
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White gold
Sleek and contemporary, white gold is a popular choice for wedding rings. At first glance, white gold looks very similar to silver or platinum thanks to its cool tone. However, it has to be mixed with other metals to create its icy white colour, and then plated with rhodium for a bright, shiny finish. If you opt for a white gold wedding ring, it’s a good idea to have it replated every few years to keep it looking its best.
9k white gold
Gold is a relatively soft metal, and so it’s alloyed with different metals such as silver or palladium before it’s suitable for fine jewellery. The gold carat number tells you the proportion of pure gold in the mix. Our 9k white gold wedding rings contain 37.5% pure gold, making them an affordable and durable option.
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18k white gold
Our 18k white gold wedding rings contain 75% pure gold. 18k white gold is considered higher quality than its 9k equivalent, and also tends to be slightly brighter and shinier in appearance. Because it’s purer than 9k white gold, it can also be a better choice if you’re sensitive to other metals.
Shop now >
Yellow gold
This is the natural colour of gold – a warm, yellow tone that’s defined fine jewellery for centuries. Yellow gold is the traditional wedding ring metal, and the classic band of gold has a timeless appeal. However, even yellow gold has to be mixed with other metals in order to make it durable enough for everyday wear.
9k yellow gold
Because gold is soft and malleable, it has to be alloyed with metals like copper or zinc before it can be made into fine jewellery. More affordable than 18k gold, our 9k yellow gold wedding rings have 37.5% pure gold in the mix and offer great durability.
Shop now >
18k yellow gold
The gold carat number describes the proportion of pure gold. Our 18k yellow gold wedding rings contain 75% pure gold, which is mixed with other metals to make it stronger. It’s a high quality option for a special piece of jewellery.
Shop now >
Rose gold
Like white and yellow gold, rose gold is alloyed with other metals to make it more durable. In the case of rose gold, copper is added to the mix to create its signature rosy hue – the depth of pink depends on the proportion of copper in the alloy. This warm pink colour has a vintage feel that’s increasingly popular for modern wedding rings.
9k rose gold
Trying to decide between 9k and 18k rose gold? Looking at the gold carat number can help you choose the right wedding ring metal. Our 9k rose gold wedding rings contain 37.5% pure gold, making them our most affordable rose gold option.
Shop now >
18k rose gold
Like 9k gold, 18k gold has been mixed with other metals for greater durability. Our 18k rose gold wedding rings contain 75% pure gold, and you’ll see this higher purity, and quality, reflected in the price.
Shop now >
Silver
With its cool, icy-white tone, silver has long been a popular choice for wedding rings. Silver is softer and more malleable than gold and platinum, and it’s alloyed with a small amount of other metals such as copper to make it stronger. While silver is more affordable than the other precious metals, it does tend to scratch more easily, and can tarnish over time. So if you opt for silver wedding rings, be prepared to give them an occasional polish.
Choosing the right metal for you
Still deciding? Here are a few expert tips to help you narrow down your perfect wedding ring metal:
- Ultimately, your choice of metal comes down to your own preferences. Think about your personal style, your budget, and whether you have any allergies or sensitivities that might influence your choice.
- Remember that you and your partner don’t have to match. You might be drawn to the contemporary feel of white gold while they prefer classic yellow gold for their own wedding ring. And that’s fine!
- It’s important to take your lifestyle into account, and to choose a wedding ring metal that can withstand your daily activities. If you work with your hands, for example, or spend a lot of time at the gym, durability might be the deciding factor.
- Every metal is an interplay between cost, durability, maintenance and appearance – and the perfect balance is different for everyone. For example, if longevity is your priority, you might want to stretch the budget for platinum.
- If you’re still unsure, it’s a good idea to seek professional advice from a jeweller. At Austen & Blake, our team will be happy to show you a selection of wedding rings to help you make an informed decision.
Caring for your wedding ring
No matter what precious metal you choose, it’s important to care for your wedding rings and treat them to a little TLC every now and again.
When it comes to storage, your wedding rings are just like any other piece of fine jewellery. Make sure to store each ring separately, ideally in its own cloth bag, to prevent it being scratched or damaged by your other pieces.
Clean your rings every month or so with warm water and a little gentle detergent, and leave them to air dry. We also recommend having your wedding rings checked and professionally cleaned by a jeweller to keep them looking as good as new.
Finally, remember that each precious metal comes with its own considerations:
- Silver tends to tarnish, and will need regular polishing.
- While platinum is very durable, it can develop a patina. Take it to a jeweller for a professional polish to restore its shine.
- White gold will gradually fade to yellow, so take it to your jeweller to have it replated every few years.
- Softer metals such as silver will scratch more easily than harder metals.
Conclusion
Every love story is different – and so is every precious metal. As we’ve seen, silver, white gold, rose gold, yellow gold and platinum all have their own characteristics, and can vary in terms of durability and appearance. Ultimately, the wedding ring metal you choose will depend on your individual style and requirements, so take your time and explore our selection of wedding rings. Whether you opt for the longevity of platinum, the warmth of 18k rose gold or the affordable luxury of sterling silver, you’re bound to find something special.
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One of the key steps in choosing your wedding ring is selecting the precious metal. Gold, silver and platinum all have their own special qualities and characteristics – so how can you decide on the best wedding ring metal for you and your partner?
We’ve put together a comprehensive wedding ring metals guide to help you choose. Read on to discover how different precious metals compare in terms of their appearance and durability, and how to make the right choice for your budget.
The best metals for wedding rings
Gold, silver or platinum? Your dream wedding ring can be made in your choice of metal. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each one.
Platinum
There are a lot of reasons to love platinum. Naturally white in colour, platinum has a lustrous shine that gives it a luxurious appearance. Because it’s denser than gold, a platinum wedding ring feels reassuringly weighty on your finger, too. This beautiful metal is also very practical, which is important when it comes to a wedding ring that you’ll wear every day. Both strong and durable, platinum doesn’t need to be alloyed with a large proportion of other metals before being worked into jewellery, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something hypoallergenic.
Overall, a platinum wedding ring will always be a luxury choice. This precious metal is prized for its rarity (it’s 30 times rarer than gold), and you’ll see this reflected in the price; platinum is more expensive than gold or silver.
White gold
Sleek and contemporary, white gold is a popular choice for wedding rings. At first glance, white gold looks very similar to silver or platinum thanks to its cool tone. However, it has to be mixed with other metals to create its icy white colour, and then plated with rhodium for a bright, shiny finish. If you opt for a white gold wedding ring, it’s a good idea to have it replated every few years to keep it looking its best.
9k white gold
Gold is a relatively soft metal, and so it’s alloyed with different metals such as silver or palladium before it’s suitable for fine jewellery. The gold carat number tells you the proportion of pure gold in the mix. Our 9k white gold wedding rings contain 37.5% pure gold, making them an affordable and durable option.
18k white gold
Our 18k white gold wedding rings contain 75% pure gold. 18k white gold is considered higher quality than its 9k equivalent, and also tends to be slightly brighter and shinier in appearance. Because it’s purer than 9k white gold, it can also be a better choice if you’re sensitive to other metals.
Yellow gold
This is the natural colour of gold – a warm, yellow tone that’s defined fine jewellery for centuries. Yellow gold is the traditional wedding ring metal, and the classic band of gold has a timeless appeal. However, even yellow gold has to be mixed with other metals in order to make it durable enough for everyday wear.
9k yellow gold
Because gold is soft and malleable, it has to be alloyed with metals like copper or zinc before it can be made into fine jewellery. More affordable than 18k gold, our 9k yellow gold wedding rings have 37.5% pure gold in the mix and offer great durability.
18k yellow gold
The gold carat number describes the proportion of pure gold. Our 18k yellow gold wedding rings contain 75% pure gold, which is mixed with other metals to make it stronger. It’s a high quality option for a special piece of jewellery.
Rose gold
Like white and yellow gold, rose gold is alloyed with other metals to make it more durable. In the case of rose gold, copper is added to the mix to create its signature rosy hue – the depth of pink depends on the proportion of copper in the alloy. This warm pink colour has a vintage feel that’s increasingly popular for modern wedding rings.
9k rose gold
Trying to decide between 9k and 18k rose gold? Looking at the gold carat number can help you choose the right wedding ring metal. Our 9k rose gold wedding rings contain 37.5% pure gold, making them our most affordable rose gold option.
18k rose gold
Like 9k gold, 18k gold has been mixed with other metals for greater durability. Our 18k rose gold wedding rings contain 75% pure gold, and you’ll see this higher purity, and quality, reflected in the price.
Silver
With its cool, icy-white tone, silver has long been a popular choice for wedding rings. Silver is softer and more malleable than gold and platinum, and it’s alloyed with a small amount of other metals such as copper to make it stronger. While silver is more affordable than the other precious metals, it does tend to scratch more easily, and can tarnish over time. So if you opt for silver wedding rings, be prepared to give them an occasional polish.
Choosing the right metal for you
Still deciding? Here are a few expert tips to help you narrow down your perfect wedding ring metal:
Caring for your wedding ring
No matter what precious metal you choose, it’s important to care for your wedding rings and treat them to a little TLC every now and again.
When it comes to storage, your wedding rings are just like any other piece of fine jewellery. Make sure to store each ring separately, ideally in its own cloth bag, to prevent it being scratched or damaged by your other pieces.
Clean your rings every month or so with warm water and a little gentle detergent, and leave them to air dry. We also recommend having your wedding rings checked and professionally cleaned by a jeweller to keep them looking as good as new.
Finally, remember that each precious metal comes with its own considerations:
Conclusion
Every love story is different – and so is every precious metal. As we’ve seen, silver, white gold, rose gold, yellow gold and platinum all have their own characteristics, and can vary in terms of durability and appearance. Ultimately, the wedding ring metal you choose will depend on your individual style and requirements, so take your time and explore our selection of wedding rings. Whether you opt for the longevity of platinum, the warmth of 18k rose gold or the affordable luxury of sterling silver, you’re bound to find something special.