The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
A nice ring to it
Choosing the perfect ring can take a lot of time and thought – but it’s worth the effort when you remember you’ll be wearing it for the rest of your life!
We take a look at the different kinds of metals you can select when it comes to choosing your wedding band.
For the lucky people already sporting an engagement ring, the choice of metal and style of wedding band may be a forgone conclusion. Many jewellers sell “sets” which means both rings will fit together perfectly. Other bespoke jewellers can create something to sit alongside the engagement ring as if they were always meant to be. For men, the choice is no longer restricted to a gold band – but spans a vast selection from steel and titanium to palladium.
Here are some different ring types to consider:
Platinum: One of the most popular choices due to its hardness, rarity and natural white sheen that will never fade or change colour, platinum is strong – but it doesn’t come cheap!
White gold: Using pure gold alloyed with other white metals such as silver and palladium, white gold is the perfect setting for diamonds. Most jewellers plate their white gold with rhodium in order to give it extra lustre. This can fade over time to leave the original colour, however, re-plating is very easy.
Yellow gold: The traditional choice for wedding bands, yellow gold usually comes in 9, 14, 18, 22 and 24 carats. Carat refers to the percentage of pure gold within a piece of jewellery and the lower the number, the lower the percentage. Note that 24 carat gold is not as hard wearing as lower carats, which may be better suited to wedding bands.
Rose gold: Mixing gold with copper gives the romantic subtle red – or rose – colour to jewellery. Like yellow gold, it comes in different carats.
Silver: A popular precious metal, silver is a less expensive option when it comes to wedding bands. It will tarnish and scratch more easily, however, so be sure it’s the best choice for your lifestyle.
Palladium: A white precious metal that is part of the platinum family, it’s affordable compared to its cousin and is a durable metal that won’t tarnish.
Titanium: A strong and durable metal, titanium is distinguishable by its darker colour. It is also hypoallergenic, which means it is ideal for sensitive skin.
Steel: Perfect for those on a budget, steel is durable, strong, scratch-resistant and kind to sensitive skin.