Planning a wedding means a long ‘to do’ list before the big day and perhaps one of the most important decisions is the buying of the wedding rings.
In the past, the vast majority of couples chose a pair of simple yellow gold bands which were either 9k or 18k. They all looked the same in the trays at the jewelry store and they were almost the standard option for all newly-weds.
Things have certainly changed in the last decade and now wedding rings are different widths, may include gemstones, there are different styles of fit depending on personal taste and lifestyle and there are also now a range of metals to choose from.
If you’re planning your wedding at the moment and didn’t realize that you could have something other than a slim, curved yellow gold ring, read on. Then try Whiteflash for wedding rings in Houston to find your perfect lifelong commitment bands.
Yellow gold
Chosen for tradition, luster and rarity, yellow gold has always been the classic choice for wedding rings. It’s easy to work with and can be combined with other metals for beautiful two or even three tone designs. Whilst 24 karat gold is the most pure, it’s too soft to wear on a daily basis so the best choices are 18 karat or 9 karat. The gold is mixed with alloys such as zinc or copper and whilst there are other metals available, it is set to continue to be the symbol of lifelong commitment.
White gold
White gold is now a very popular metal to use with rings; for engagement rings in particular it has almost overtaken yellow gold as first choice. It is a combination of yellow gold and alloys such as nickel, silver and zinc and has a plating of either rhodium or platinum. It’s a more cost effective option than platinum but doesn’t have the same durability.
Rose gold
A very gently colored shade of gold and looks wonderful when used in vintage style designs, rose gold is a mix of yellow gold and copper. The result is a lovely golden hue of metal with a slight red tint. There are varying percentages of gold to copper but the usual ratio is 3:1. More copper will mean the rose shade will intensify and a deep patina will increase over the years.
Platinum
A rare metal which is usually more costly than gold, platinum is the number one choice for anyone wanting the absolute in wedding ring metals.
With a history in jewelry use stretching back to the Ancient Egyptians, platinum wasn’t recognized as an element until the Spanish mined it in Colombia in the 18th century. At the time it was deemed a worthless by-product but that has certainly changed now.
Mixed with other metals, it has the highest purity value and to be labeled platinum must contain at least 95% pure platinum.
Tungsten, titanium and stainless steel
There has been a definite surge in popularity in the use of non-traditional metals for wedding rings over the last decade. Tungsten, titanium and stainless steel are the front runners with their choice being affiliated to durability but with luster and a reduced cost. They are a great choice for anyone on a limited budget or have jobs where they have hard working hands. Even though the price tag of a wedding ring made from any of these metals will be much lower than gold or platinum, they will always look as great in years to come as they day they are exchanged at the altar.