Gold, Sterling Silver, or Platinum Wedding Bands?

One of the first questions you’ll need to answer when shopping for wedding bands is which metal you would like. Sterling silver, gold and platinum all have unique advantages, and understanding them can help you pick the rings that are right for you. Here are the facts regarding price, looks, durability and more about the three most popular metals used in wedding bands.

Sterling Silver Wedding Bands

Silver wedding bands are a popular pick for jewelry of many kinds, and a number of today’s couples choose this metal for their weddings bands. Sterling silver offers a unique combination of good looks with an affordability that makes it accessible for nearly any budget.

Budget is often a major deciding factor when purchasing a wedding band, and sterling silver is a favorite of couples trying to save some dough for the honeymoon. A sterling silver style often costs just half or a third of what you’d shell out for its white gold counterpart, and an even smaller fraction of the cost of a similar platinum band.

It’s important to note that just because sterling silver is budget-friendly, doesn’t mean that rings crafted from it are cheap or low-quality—far from it! Every one of Apples of Gold’s sterling silver rings is made from .925 sterling silver, the highest quality and purity of silver than can be used for jewelry. The term “.925” comes from the percentage of silver that this metal contains: 92.5 percent. Pure silver is too soft and pliable to be used for jewelry, and thus the remaining 7.5 percent in .925 sterling silver is comprised of other metals such as zinc to give it added durability. The result is an alloy that’s both strong and beautiful.

Sterling silver’s cool, simple good looks adapt well to a wide range of styles from hand-engraved Victorian-inspired bands to modern hammered styles. And, since sterling silver is long-lasting, you can be confident that your rings, like your love, are in it for the long haul.

If you’re concerned about tarnishing, but are still attracted to the look and price of silver, consider one of Apples of Gold’s argentium silver wedding bands. They’re crafted from a type of .925 sterling silver that’s highly resistant to tarnishing, as well as brighter and more scratch-resistant than traditional sterling silver.

Gold Wedding Bands

Gold is synonymous with value. Currencies around the world are measured by the gold standard and gold has long been prized as a precious metal.

Giving a precious metal such as gold is a symbol of giving the best of yourself, and because of this, gold has become the traditional metal for wedding bands. Gold resists rusting, corroding and tarnishing, making it an ideal picture of a love that stand strong no matter what. It’s also easy to care for, and can be easily cleaned with warm water and a gentle soap.

Although gold is very strong, it’s also the most malleable of all precious metals, poising it to represent a relationship that has both fortitude and flexibility. The ease with which it can be shaped results in a vast array of gold styles for all tastes.

Since gold is quite soft, other metals, such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc, are added to it to make it hard enough to be suitable for fine jewelry such as wedding bands. The color of gold varies according to the metals that are added, creating sunny yellow gold, cool white gold and warm, pinkish rose gold. Apples of Gold carries a range of rings in each of these hues, as well as two-tone and three-tone designs that combine multiple colors to create gorgeous, unified symbols of unbroken love.

The percentage of gold in a particular piece of jewelry in measured in karats, each of which represents one 24^th; thus, the more karats a ring contains, the greater the percentage of gold. Both 14K and 18K gold are commonly used in fine jewelry. 14K gold, which is 58.3 percent gold, is the most frequently used in fine jewelry, although 18K gold rings (comprised of 75 percent gold) are still fairly popular. 18K gold comes with a higher price, but it also come with a greater sense of luxury.

Platinum Wedding Bands

Platinum is considered by many to be the ultimate in precious metals, and indeed, it is truly rare. At 30 times less common than gold, platinum is the perfect medium to communicate that your love is a priceless treasure.

Because of its rarity, platinum comes with an admittedly high price tag when compared with other metals used in wedding bands. However, for the couples who choose it, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime investment to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime love.

Platinum is sought after, not only because of its rarity, but also because of its naturally white beauty. Its pure, cool sheen is a picture of love that’s pure and without pretense. Platinum doesn’t cast any of its own color into a diamond or other gemstone, allowing the natural beauty of both the metal and the gem to become fully evident.

Another big advantage of platinum wedding bands is that they’re naturally hypoallergenic and can be worn by just about anyone—even those with sensitive skin—without causing irritation. And, like gold, platinum won’t tarnish. However, since it’s more dense than gold, platinum is better able to retain its shape and is more resistant to wear as the years pass.

Platinum is also easy to care for as the years pass. Like gold, all that’s needed is mild soap and warm water.

Apples of Gold’s collection of platinum wedding bands spans the style spectrum from Celtic to contemporary, giving you many ways to show that you treasure your love above all else. Interpreted in bright platinum, each of these designs shines.

As you can see, sterling silver, gold and platinum each have their own unique appeal. Which one is best for you is determined by which factors are most important to you. Consider what you value most in a wedding band and then use this guide to help you select your perfect pair.

Category: Wedding Bands, Wedding Jewelry, Wedding Rings