What metal is best for my wedding ring?
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When deciding on the best metal for your wedding ring, you’ll want to consider a few key factors: durability, personal style, budget, and lifestyle. For those of you planning on wearing your wedding ring alongside an engagement ring the decision may be a little easier. We recommend that any rings worn alongside each other on a daily basis should match to reduce wear and tear. Different metals/carats of gold feature different properties and hardnesses so matching metals will reduce wear over the years.
For anyone else, here’s a breakdown to help guide your decision-making process:
1. Durability
Wedding rings are meant to be worn every day, so durability is essential, especially if you have an active lifestyle or work with your hands.
Platinum: The most durable metal, ideal for those with a hands-on lifestyle. It’s resistant to scratches and tarnishing.
18ct Gold: A strong metal with a good balance of durability and luxury. It’s suitable for everyday wear, but a little softer than platinum.
9ct Gold: The most affordable and harder than 18ct due to the higher content of other metals. It’s less prone to scratching but less rich in colour.
2. Colour & Personal Style
Your personal taste in jewellery plays a huge role in deciding the metal. Think about the colours and finishes that best suit your style, skin tone or complements other jewellery you wear.
18ct Yellow Gold: A classic and traditional choice. It offers a warm tone that complements warmer & darker skin tones and has a luxurious feel.
9ct Yellow Gold: Similar to above but a paler golden, more brassy tone.
18ct White Gold: A sleek choice with (when unplated) a gun-metal grey or grey-sandy tone. Please note, is common for white gold to be rhodium plated to make it appear more bright white. At Erin Cox Jewellery we offer un-plated, palladium-rich white gold as standard which has a gun-metal grey tone which we love (especially on our men’s rings!). We believe in embracing it’s naturally beautiful colour, as who want’s to deal with the hassle & expense of periodical re-plating?!
9ct White Gold: A sleek, modern choice with a warm-silvery finish. It looks a similar colour to silver but has a slightly warmer, yellow-ish hue.
9ct Rose Gold: Known for it’s pink, coppery tones. This metal works beautifully in contemporary styles!
18ct Rose Gold: Revered for it warmth & romantic pinky-golden hue. It’s like if 18ct yellow gold and 9ct rose gold had a beautiful baby!
Platinum: Its naturally white appearance is ideal for those who want something understated yet elegant.
3. Budget
Your budget may impact the type of metal you can choose. Here is a quick low down…
Platinum: Premium in price but also in longevity, making it a worthwhile investment for durability.
18ct Gold: More luxurious and higher in price due to its higher gold content. It’s a good choice for an upscale look that will last.
9ct Gold: A more budget-friendly option that still offers durability but has less gold content and a lighter colour compared to 18ct.
4. Lifestyle
Consider how often you’ll wear your ring and what activities you engage in daily.
If you have a manual job or lead an active lifestyle, you may prefer a harder metal like platinum.
For those who prefer delicate or intricate design, softer metals like 18ct gold may be better suited.
5. Ethical Considerations
More and more people are thinking about the ethical and environmental impact of their jewellery. At Erin Cox Jewellery, we craft using eco (recycled) gold as standard and welcome wedding ring commissions in Fairtrade Gold. We want to ensure your wedding ring reflects not just your love but also your values.
Final Thoughts
The ideal metal for your wedding ring depends on your style, budget, and how you plan to wear it. Whether you choose the elegance of platinum, the warm glow of yellow gold, or the modern appeal of white or rose gold, your wedding ring should be a balance of personal preference and practicality.
Would you like help narrowing down your choices further based on specific preferences? Contact us to discuss further…