Wedding Ring Types

There are five main wedding ring types; gold, white gold, platinum, titanium, and silver. Each specific type has its benefits, and its drawbacks.

There are a few decisions to make in choosing a wedding ring, from choosing the right metals, karat, and color, to choosing a design that fits your personality and budget. The following information will help make the right decision in choosing a wedding band.

The most common type of wedding band is gold. Gold is a soft precious metal that is classified by color and karats. There is yellow gold, white cold, and rose gold. The most common karats for gold rings are 14 and 18. What this means is, 14 karat gold jewelry consists of 58.5% gold and 41.5% other metals such as copper and zinc. 18 karat gold jewelry consists of 75% pure gold and 20% alloys. 24 karat gold jewelry is jewelry made out of 100% pure gold. 24 karat gold is not recommended for making rings. The reason is that the more gold in the ring, the softer the ring is. The softer the ring is, the less durable the ring and the shorter life span the ring will have. 14 and 18 karat gold will not tarnish, but some people do have allergies to the precious metal, so choosing a gold wedding ring may not be a choice.. 14k yellow or gold wedding bands retail from $60.00 to $5,000+. 18k yellow or white gold wedding bands retail for $85.00 to $5,000+.

Platinum is a gorgeous white precious metal that will last a lifetime. It is a very dense, heavy precious metal that is the strongest of the precious metals, yet it is too soft for rings. Even though platinum is a 95% pure white metal, ruthenium and isidium must be added for strength. Platinum wedding rings tend to feel heavier on the finger, but is very durable and a preferred choice for both men's and women's wedding bands. Platinum is also hypo-allergenic. Platinum rings retail from $350.00 to $5,000+.

Titanium is the strongest metal known to man, but it is less known in jewelry making. This metal is hypo-allergenic and can be inlaid with gold, silver, or platinum to create beautiful bands that will be treasured for a lifetime. When electricity or heat is used, Titanium oxidizes which makes the metal appeared colored. Some of the most common colors are purple, blue, and iridescent. Titanium wedding bands can not be soldered, which means resizing becomes impossible. It is also one of the harder metals to cut through should the band need to be removed due to an emergency. Titanium wedding rings retail from $150.00 to $4,000.

Silver is a very soft white metal that is prone to tarnishing and discoloration. Silver wedding bands work well for people who are on a tight budget. However, because the metal is very soft, silver wedding bands will not last near as long as a gold, platinum, or titanium wedding bands. Silver wedding rings retail for $50.00 to $200.00.