A Guide to Men's Wedding Bands
A disinterested groom-to-be is not an uncommon sight in a jewelry store. So much time and energy is spent selecting an intricate (and often pricey) wedding set for the bride, and by the time the groom's ring needs to be purchased he's low on enthusiasm (and sometimes the ring budget). Luckily there's many choices out there for the modern groom. Whether you are looking for something low-key and inexpensive, or bold and elaborate, you're bound to find something to fit within your style. Here are some key points to consider when shopping for your band.
Gold ( 10k, 14, 18k)
Can be re-sized
Can be recycled by melting into new jewelry pieces
Wears down over time
White gold may irritate nickle allergies
Platinum:
Excellent durability, does not wear
The soft silver-white sheen of this metal beautifully accentuates any stone
Weighted
Highly resistant to scratches
Rather rare
Palladium:
Relatively rare
Less expensive than Platinum
Incredibly durable
Titanium:
Lightweight
Flexible and difficult to break
Shatterproof
Economical
Dark gray color
Low scratch resistance
Hypoallergenic
Can't be sized
Can be removed with a standard ring cutter
Ceramic
Lightweight
Permanent polish
Heat resistant
Can't be sized
Can be removed with vice grips.
Black Zirconium
Typically use in dental implants and nuclear reactors
Black oxidized coated is created when heated
Scratch resistant
High design versatility
Cobalt Chrome:
Hypoallergenic and biocompatible
Look of a platinum band at a lower price point
Heavier than titanium, lighter than tungsten
Scratch resistant
Shatterproof
Commonly used in the medical field
Can be removed with a standard ring cutter
Damascus Steel:
Consists of two grades of stainless steel fused together
Ancient metal working skill
No two rings are alike, artistic value
Heat and acid etched for a unique design
Dark gray color with lighter contrast
Commonly used to make swords and knives
Can be removed with a standard ring cutter
Tungsten Carbide
Extremely scratch resistant
Always looks polished - little maintenance needed
Least flexible, will not bend
Heavy
A pure element - hypoallergenic
Permanently polished
Dark gray color
Commonly used as machine tools
Can be removed with vice grips
Can't be sized
