Platinum

Platinum wedding bands like the Platinum Braided Wedding Band Ring are the ultimate expression of a love that’s a rare treasure. At 30 times less common than gold, platinum is incredibly precious, and it possesses several unique properties. Platinum wedding rings have a bright, naturally white sheen that doesn’t cast any of its own color onto a diamond. They never fade or tarnish, and are quite strong, making them resistant to wear. Platinum is also naturally hypoallergenic, making it a perfect choice for anyone with sensitive skin. Although its rarity gives it a higher price tag than other metals used in wedding jewelry, it’s the perfect choice for a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

White, Yellow and Rose Gold

Gold is the most commonly used metal in wedding bands, and for good reason. Aside from its gleaming good looks, it’s also more affordable than platinum and stronger than sterling silver. All three colors of gold are actually alloys which combine gold with other metals to give them added strength. Each color has its own personality: white gold has a cool, silvery sheen, giving rings such as the Hammered Milgrain Wedding Band in 14K White Gold a look that’s both cotemporary and classic; yellow gold exhibits a sunny hue that has made it the most traditional of metals, as the “I Am My Beloved’s and My Beloved Is Mine” Wedding Band demonstrates; and rose gold gives off a glow that communicates warmth and affection, such as in in the Paisley Engraved Wedding Band in 18K Rose Gold. Although white gold wedding bands are the most popular, a huge variety of styles are available in all three colors of this versatile metal.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver wedding bands like the Silver Heart Diamond Floral Wedding Band are a favorite for those on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice style. With the cool, versatile sheen that has made all types of silver jewelry popular, these rings are able to blend seamlessly with the personal styles of many of today’s brides and grooms. Like the gold used in jewelry, sterling silver is an alloy which adds other metals to silver to make it strong enough for jewelry. Although silver is susceptible to oxidation, the resulting tarnish isn’t hard to remove.

Titanium

Titanium isn’t a traditional medium for wedding bands, but it’s gaining fans for its winning combination of strength, sleek good looks and affordability. Stronger than steel, this metal is used in aircraft, making it a fitting symbol of love that’s unbreakable. However, despite its strength, it’s quite lightweight, making it feel almost weightless on your finger. Titanium wedding rings such as the Titanium Celtic Knot Wedding Band Ring are able to stand up to wear, and they’re non-reactive, which means that they won’t tarnish or rust. Like platinum styles, they’re also hypoallergenic. However, they come with a significantly lower price tag than platinum or gold rings

Ultimately, the wedding band you choose should be determined by your personal preference. Decide which factors are most important to you, and use this guide to help you narrow down your options.