At one time men had very few options to choose from for their wedding band.   Today, men’s wedding bands have gotten the attention they deserve and there has been an explosion of choices in both the metal used and in design. With all of the choices available every man can find the band that is right for him.

Types of metals to choose from
There are now many different metals to choose from, all with different characteristics. There is the traditional gold band in yellow and white gold. You can now add red gold as a possible choice. In recent years platinum has became a popular choice. As platinum prices have risen palladium has become popular as it has many of the same characteristics at a lower cost. Men’s wedding bands are also made with industrial metals such as titanium, stainless steel, and tungsten.  All of these metals have distinct characteristic that may appeal to a man’s psyche.

Stainless steel wedding bands
Stainless steel is silver in color and is hard enough to withstand most bumps and knocks. It can be scratched and become dull but these rings can be refinished. Stainless steel rings are among the least expensive rings available and the average ring will cost between $25 and $100.


Silver wedding bands
Silver can be used as wedding bands and are about as inexpensive as stainless steel.  It can be cast into more complicated designs than stainless steel and could cost more if the designs are intricate. Silver is a soft metal and will dent easily. It will also tarnish but the tarnish could add detail to the design. It can easily be re-polished and refinished. Cost will run between $25 to $150 depending on  the complexity of the design.

Titanium wedding bands
Titanium is another industrial metal like stainless steel and tungsten. It is known for its lightness of weight. General uses were for airplanes, bicycles and uses where strength and lightness were factors advantageous for its use. Titanium is a light gray color. It can be combined with other metals like gold, palladium and platinum in a variety of designs. It can be scratched and dented but the finish can be restored. Pure titanium rings will cost $75 to $150. Titanium in combination with different metals will range in cost from $400 to $1000.


Tungsten Wedding bands
Tungsten is the hardest of the industrial metals and is generally used for drill and saw tips. It is a dark gun-barrel gray color that appeals to many men. It is hard enough to resist any scratches when rubbed against a concrete sidewalk. It is a very hard metal but could chip or crack if dropped onto a hard surface. Some companies have a replacement warranty for any damage. Tungsten can be textured and gold and platinum can be inlaid into the metal. Some companies are able to mount diamonds into these rings. Tungsten rings cannot be sized and again some companies have an exchange policy for free or for a small fee. Cost for these rings run from $300 to $400 or more for inlays or diamonds. Tungsten has a very durable surface and does not need to be re-polished.


Palladium Wedding bands
Palladium is a metal in the platinum family. It may appear a little darker in color and like platinum is hypoallergenic.  Palladium is ten percent harder than platinum which makes it a little more resistant to scratches. It is not as dense as platinum therefore not as heavy. With use it will become dull but this metal can be refinished.  It does not cost as much as platinum and a palladium wedding band will cost about $300 to $400.


Gold Wedding bands
Gold is the most traditional metal used for men’s bands and is available in 10K to 24K. The color can be yellow, white, green, and red or combinations of these. It can even be combined with platinum, palladium, tungsten and titanium. Gold can be fashioned into almost any shape. Although it is durable gold will show signs of wear but can be refinished to look like new. Gold rings will generally cost between $400 and $800.


Platinum Wedding bands
Platinum is the most expensive of the precious metals. It is dense and heavy. For jewelry purposes it has to be 90%-95% pure. It is the whitest in color except for silver. It is also one of the softest metals and will become dull quicker than the other metal rings. I can be restored but must be done more often to keep that “like new” look. A typical price range for a platinum band  is $1000 to $1500.


Design choices
There are now so many designs that it makes choosing a men’s band an adventure. Along with the combinations of different metals there are many different techniques used to create a variety designs. There is a technique called mokume that blends different metals together which is then twisted, hammered and shaped into a very unique look. There are rings with carved designs, textured designs, inlaid designs, spinning rings, movable rings and flexible rings. In addition these designs can be enhanced by precious gemstones.

These are choices that previously were inconceivable. There is now more than enough of a variety to satisfy any sense of style. Take a good look around and you should find something that fits your personality to a T. Have fun and enjoy the possibilities!

Please be short and to the point, and respect the other voices in the discussion. You may edit and delete comments for up to three days after date of post. We reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate comments. For more information read our site policies »

In order to comment, you must be logged in. Login | Register | Help

Comment

Denotes required fields.