Men’s Wedding Rings: Which Metal to Choose?

To some men, the idea that they will soon have to have a piece of metal in the form of a wedding ring wrapped around their fingers is utterly bizarre. This is not because they are freaked out by the thought of getting married, they just have never worn jewelry in their lives. Other men love jewelry and will even go so far as to purchase it for themselves. Whichever category your guy fits into, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the type of metal wedding band to buy.

Metals
Men’s wedding rings come in white gold, yellow gold, platinum, titanium, and stainless steel, among other metals. Wedding bands are traditionally gold, but these days, there are many other options. Sterling silver is generally not used for bands because of it is a soft and tarnish-prone metal.

Karat Weight
When choosing a white or yellow gold band, pay attention to the Karat weight. In the United States, 14K is the standard Karat weight for gold, but many jewelry stores will sell 10K weight for their lower end pieces. 10K weight gold may dull a bit over time as compared to 14K. It has less actual gold in the amalgam, so it is less expensive.

Platinum
Platinum is the most valuable of the metals mentioned above. It is hard, and will last a long time without maintenance. Because of its rarity, platinum can be much more expensive than gold.

Titanium
Titanium, although not rare, is a very durable metal. Titanium is more expensive than steel, and is used in the building of airplane and rocket parts. When you pick it up, it is so lightweight it feels like plastic. It is good for a man who is not accustomed to wearing jewelry. However, titanium can be difficult to cut off of the finger in the event of an accident.

Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is strong, does not tarnish, and looks good. It does tend to get scratchy with time, as do most metals. Stainless steel is a good choice for a man’s wedding band if you are looking for something inexpensive and durable. It does not have the intrinsic value of gold, however.

If you are just starting out, and do not have a lot of money to spend on a man’s wedding ring, stainless steel is a great option. As compared to 10K gold, you can get a thicker more durable ring for a similar amount of money.