How to Pick a Metal for His Wedding Ring

Wedding Rings photo via Shutterstock

Yes, he was in a heavy-metal band. But the question is: does he want a heavy metal band?

Choosing the right metal for a groom’s wedding band can be confusing. Here’s some info on the most common wedding band metals. He put a ring on it. Now it’s your turn.

Gold

A no-brainer, gold is the most popular choice for men’s wedding rings. An 18-karat holds up against everyday wear better than all the other karats, and it looks better as the years go on. Gold comes in yellow, white, and rose. Word to the wise: If you choose white gold, make sure it’s rhodium-plated because it keeps it whiter and safe from wear and tear. Be warned: when gold scratches, little pieces come out, so it’s tough to polish back to its original state.

Titanium

Just tell him airplanes are made out of this metal and his inner tough guy will choose it gladly. A greyish-white, it’s the hardest natural metal in the world. We’re talking three times the strength of steel and much stronger than gold, silver, and platinum. The kicker? It’s very lightweight and is also 100 percent hypoallergenic, so quite a few grooms sport this choice. Because of its Iron Man qualities, it’s also more dent-, bend-, and scratch-resistant than those other metals. But its strength is also its weakness. Titanium cannot be resized. Maybe you’ve heard the rumors that titanium can’t be cut off in an emergency room. Well, you’re partially right. Pure titanium can normally be cut off the finger, but aircraft grade titanium rings cannot.

Platinum

This white metal is one of the purest used for rings—approximately 95 percent. This choice has a long life span, is highly durable, and is very dense. Translation: a platinum ring is very heavy. In fact, it’s twice as heavy as palladium, 60 percent heavier than 14-karat gold, and 40 percent heavier than 18-karat gold. So if your man doesn’t like jewelry, this might not be the choice for him.

Palladium

One of the rarest precious metals, silvery white palladium is super-elegant and posh. It’s one of the most luxurious—and expensive—ring options. It’s naturally durable, lightweight, and won’t discolor, even though it’s completely white.

Tungsten

Heavy and substantial, tungsten carbire is the new high-tech metal for discerning grooms’ bands. It’s highly scratch-resistant, strong, and durable, while also holding a lower price tag than gold and platinum. Its grey-white color has a “permanent polish,” which means it always looks bright and shiny. It’s a heavier metal, so it feels solid on his finger. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and comes in black, silver, and gray. A drawback: tungsten rings cannot be resized, cut, or re-soldered. The drawback to the drawback: they can actually shatter if you drop them.

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