Gold, Palladium, Platinum and More

Whether you’re choosing wedding bands for your big day or considering a palladium ring as a trendy gift for someone special, choosing the right metal is essential. Before you make your decision, learn the basics about the varieties of metal available.

Gold, platinum and titanium are often the metals that come to mind when selecting single-color or two-tone wedding bands – but beyond their classic beauty, what makes these metals a good choice?

• Gold: Because 24-karat gold is too soft for most jewelry, both yellow and white gold wedding bands are typically made using a mixture of pure gold and other metals to make them harder. These other metals also contribute to their color, especially in the case of white gold wedding bands. Available in 10-, 14- and 18-karat gold, both yellow and white gold wedding bands are strong, not too heavy, and widely available in every price range.
• Platinum: Rare, pure and hypoallergenic, platinum is more durable than gold and tends to last longer. Because platinum is about 60 percent heavier than gold, it takes more platinum to make a ring, which can increase the price exponentially. However, because of its strength and wearability, platinum wedding bands and settings will provide you with heirloom-quality jewelry that can be passed down for generations.

In addition to the traditional metals, titanium, tungsten and palladium are also making inroads in modern jewelry. But what makes these metals as good – or better – than the others on the market?

• Titanium: Made using an ultra-lightweight metal that’s strong enough to be included in the construction of NASA’s space shuttles, titanium bands provide a handsome choice for men who either don’t like to or aren’t used to wearing jewelry. In addition to being easy to wear and durable, our discount titanium bands are also affordable, easy to care for and trendy in popularity.
• Tungsten: Because the hardness of men’s tungsten rings is comparable to that of sapphires, they are not only virtually scratch-proof, but are also known to permanently hold their polish. As with discount titanium bands, men’s tungsten rings are also ultra-lightweight and ideal for men who may not be used to wearing jewelry.
• Palladium: A member of the platinum family, palladium is bright white, hypoallergenic and stronger than gold. And because palladium rings can be made thinner than their platinum cousins, they also tend to cost less. Although palladium rings do have many of the properties of platinum, they don’t often accept as high a polish and require more care to prevent dulling.