Traditionally, selecting wedding bands has generally meant choosing between platinum or gold options, with few exceptions. With the introduction of a variety of materials, breaking the mold and expressing your personal style is now an option. Your wedding band should be as unique as you are, but also suit your needs in terms of durability, comfort, and budget.
Some of the most popular materials used in wedding bands and available at Tick Tock Jewelers are platinum, palladium, gold, sterling silver, tungsten, titanium, ceramic, and stainless steel. It is important to consider that of these choices, platinum, palladium, gold, and sterling silver rings can be resized as needed. Stainless steel rings are difficult to resize, but with the proper tools, can be stretched or compressed slightly. Tungsten, titanium, and ceramic rings cannot be resized.
Platinum is the most rare and precious metal used to create a wedding band and, therefore the most expensive. It is very durable, resists corrosion, and won’t change color. It is very low maintenance but is more difficult and costly to work with. Platinum is medium weight and medium hard, and over time will show a soft patina with regular wear, but can be re-polished to its original finish. It is also hypo-allergenic and a great choice for those with sensitivities to metals.
Palladium is a white precious metal and part of the platinum group of metals, with similar properties. It isn’t as heavy as platinum but is durable and low maintenance. It stays white, won’t tarnish, and is affordable. It can be resized, however, it is more difficult to work with and therefore more expensive to do so.
Gold is the most traditional, and a gold wedding band is a good investment because it maintains and often increases its value. It is available in a variety of colors and karat weights. It is less durable than platinum but is more affordable to maintain and repair as it is easy to work with. Gold is not hypoallergenic.
Titanium is an excellent choice for sensitive skin, as it is 100% hypoallergenic. It is affordable, lightweight, and durable, but does scratch more easily than other metals. For warmer climates, it is very comfortable because it does not conduct heat. A titanium wedding band cannot be resized.
Tungsten is the strongest metal in the world and a good choice for people who work with their hands. It is four times as hard as titanium, very scratch-resistant and dense, and is heavier than other metals. It is less expensive, but cannot be resized and is prone to cracking if dropped on a hard surface. It also conducts heat and electricity. Tungsten wedding bands are available in many colors and modern looks.
Ceramic provides a less traditional look and is available in a variety of colors that don’t fade or wear off. It is very durable, scratch-resistant, and lightweight. It is hypo-allergenic and does not conduct heat. Ceramic wedding bands cannot be resized and can break with enough applied force.
Sterling silver is the least expensive of the precious metals. It can be resized. Sterling silver wedding bands will show soft scratches over time and will tarnish, but often a rhodium finish is applied to the surface to prevent tarnishing.
Stainless steel wedding bands are budget-friendly, strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant. They do not tarnish, are anti-bacterial, and are less likely to cause an allergic response, although only surgical steel bands are hypoallergenic. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and most stainless steel contains 60% recycled product. Stainless steel bands can be resized, but with some difficulty, and only slightly by compressing or stretching them.
At Tick Tock Jewelers, we have a vast selection of wedding bands to choose from, with designs that define you and your love every day, and are personal and enduring in style and statement. We can also custom create a look that is truly unique and that you will enjoy and cherish always.