Just two years ago the only wedding bands typically found at jewelry stores were made of platinum and gold. But as the prices of these traditional metals continue to surge, alternative and more affordable metals are becoming increasingly popular choices for wedding bands. These metals are primarily palladium, titanium, tungsten, and cobalt-chrome. To help you understand the differences among these metals we prepared a table comparing the most popular metal choices for wedding bands today.
| Metal | Palladium | Tungsten | Titanium | Cobalt-Chrome | Ceramic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | MediumDensity = 12.02 gr / cm3 | Very HeavyDensity = 19.25 gr / cm3 | Very LightDensity = 4.06 gr / cm3 | LightDensity = 8.2 gr / cm3 | Very LightDensity varies |
| Color | Naturally White | Gun Metal Gray. Also available in white through plating. Plating wears off over time | Grey Silver, darker than platinum and white gold | Steel Silver | Varies, usually black |
| Scratch Resistance | Medium | Very Strong | Weak | Medium | Strong |
| Dent Resistance | Medium | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| Crack-Resistance | Strong | Weak | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| Durability | Very Durable | Extremely Durable | Very Durable | Extremely Durable | Extremely Durable |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tarnishing | No | No, but plating for white tungsten wears off | No | No | No |
| Re-sizeable | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Longevity | Lifetime | 15-20 Years | 10-15 Years | 15-20 Years | 10-15 Years |
| Price | Moderate | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Not only do alternative metals present a more affordable option to gold and platinum, they also present hundreds of creative new style options that break the traditional wedding band mold. Designers are using the multitude of colors to come up with new and innovative designs never seen before in the wedding band industry. Guys are no longer locked into traditional designs, rather they can choose from hundreds of designs to match their individual fashion styles; “out-of-the-box” contemporary styles such as ceramic with silver inlays (see below), or tungsten with carbon fiber (see below).
The alternative metals also provide choices best suited for different lifestyles. For example, a mechanic or firefighter who work with their hands and expose their rings to harsh environments may opt for a durable and scratch resistant metal such as tungsten. While a teacher may opt for a lighter metal such as titanium. Top Rate Diamonds offers a wide variety of alternative metal wedding bands. To view our selection click here.