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Metals - Wedding Rings Buyer's Guide
PLATINUM
Our most popular choice for wedding and engagement rings. Platinum is famed for its hardness, rarity and naturally white sheen that will never fade or change colour. Our platinum rings are 95% pure, which means they are heavy, strong and naturally hypo-allergenic. Platinum is the best choice if you prefer a white metal, and have the budget for a prestigious ring that will last you a lifetime.
PALLADIUM
Palladium is a white precious metal and part of the platinum group of metals. This means that it has similar properties to platinum, however it is less dense and more comparable in weight to 18 karat gold. Palladium is popular for its natural white colour which does not tarnish or require re-plating. It is a great, low maintenance, durable metal. The price of Palladium can fluctuate quite significantly depending on the global economy. This is something you should consider before choosing it for your wedding ring.
WHITE GOLD
White gold is an alloy of pure gold and other white metals such as palladium and silver. As pure gold is yellow, white gold can vary in colour from a pale straw like yellow to a slightly silvery grey. The higher karat your white gold is, the more yellow it will appear. As a standard, white gold jewellery is plated with rhodium to ensure a silvery white lustre. Rhodium plating is hypoallergenic and has the added benefit of protecting the white gold underneath. Although strong, rhodium wears away over time. Re-plating is a simple process that can be done to restore whiteness at any time. You can also request for your white gold ring not to be plated; just add a note during the checkout when placing your order.
YELLOW GOLD
Yellow gold is the traditional choice for wedding rings. Gold has been valued throughout history for it's deep yellow colour, and otherworldly shine. We offer wedding rings made in 9, 14 18 and 22 karat gold. Each karat of gold is a slightly different alloy which contains differing amounts of pure gold, copper and silver. The higher the karat of gold, the more pure gold is contained in the alloy. This means that 9k gold appears less warm and yellow than 22k gold. Pure gold is also a soft element, so higher karats of gold will have a lower hardness level to low karats of gold.
ROSE GOLD
Also known as pink gold or red gold, rose gold adds a touch of romance to your jewellery. The pink appearance of the rose gold alloy comes from the introduction of copper into the metal mix. The higher concentration of copper in rose gold means that it is slightly more durable than yellow or white gold. As with yellow gold, depending on what karat you choose, the colour and hardness of the ring will differ.
SILVER
Sterling Silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of other metals, usually copper. It is popular for jewellery making as it is very malleable and relatively inexpensive in comparison to other precious metals. It is important to note, however, that silver will tarnish and scratch more easily than other metals. When purchasing from Wedding Rings Direct, we will happily rhodium plate your silver ring at no extra cost to you upon request (please add a note during the checkout process).
TITANIUM
Titanium is an ideal metal for making jewellery due to its properties; it is incredibly strong and durable in comparison to other metals, such as gold, whilst still having a low density making it comfortable and lightweight to wear. It is distinguished from other white metals by its darker colour and lighter weight. Another fantastic attribute of titanium is that it is hypo-allergenic, making it perfect for those with sensitivities to wearing jewellery.
ZIRCONIUM
Zirconium is very similar to titanium in strength and weight. Zirconium is a greyish white lustrous metal with all the same hypoallergenic qualities as Titanium. When Zirconium is heat treated, it forms a deep silky black oxide coating. Zirconium that has been treated in this way is known as Black Zirconium.
TUNGSTEN
Tungsten Carbide is a chemical compound of tungsten and carbon atoms. It begins life as a fine grey powder, but it can be pressed and formed into shapes using specialist machinery. Tungsten carbide wedding rings are exceptionally strong, scratch-resistant and hypo-allergenic. Tungsten Carbide does not tarnish and is substantially heavier in weight when compared to other metals. It is important to note, that with hardness comes brittleness. If a Tungsten ring is dropped or severely knocked on a hard surface, it can shatter the ring.
STEEL
Stainless steel is an exceptionally hard metal with a good resistance to tarnishing and corrosion. This inexpensive metal is good for people with a small budget, who still want a wedding ring that can stand the test of time. Stainless steel is relatively strong and durable, and therefore ideal for daily wear. It is hypo-allergenic and scratch resistant.
