Mens Wedding Band Metals Comparison Guide

Deciding you want to spend forever with someone is a huge decision. It's among the biggest (and happiest) decisions you'll ever make. If you're fortunate enough to have found that special someone, it's time to start browsing wedding rings.

When choosing wedding bands for men, you have all manner of choices. Perhaps you're looking for traditional, precious metals. Perhaps you're considering an alternative option for practical reasons - and there are so many practical considerations when choosing your band! There's no wrong choice as the metal you decide on is a matter of personal style, lifestyle, and budget!

At Rings By Lux, we take pride in our wide selection of scratch-resistant, environmentally friendly, durable bands. To help you make an informed choice when shopping for men's wedding bands, we've created this comprehensive guide.

From gold rings to alternative metallic rings we'll cover everything you need to know. Let's dive in!

Precious Metals

Let's start with the basics. Precious metals are the most traditional option. Gold, platinum, and silver are well-known for their rarity and beauty. Platinum, especially, is priced higher because it's incredibly scarce and its mineral hardness is incredible. But are they the right choice for you? Here's what you should know to determine if these materials are a wise investment.

Gold

Gold is the most traditional option. It's available in several different finishes among them white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold. When investing in higher karat yellow gold wedding bands, you'll receive a ring that possesses a deeper color and has a higher value. However, yellow gold isn't necessarily the best option for male wedding rings.

This precious metal is broadly available in three karats: 10K, 14K, and 18K. When compared to the other metals on this list, gold tends to be sold at a higher cost.

Pure gold is traditional and steeped in symbolism, but 24-karat gold is actually a terrible choice for wedding bands and pretty much all other rings. This is because pure gold is extremely soft. It bends easily under pressure and scratches when exposed to hard surfaces. If you wear a gold ring to work in a job that requires you to use your hands, you'll damage it pretty quickly.

Part of this precious metal's popularity is due to the fact it maintains its value. In fact, it may even increase in value over time. Yellow gold is also soft and malleable, making it easy to resize. Its malleability also makes gold jewelry less durable than some of the other metals we'll mention in this guide.

Pros

• Easy to resize
• Maintains its value
• Comes in different finishes

Cons

• Not a hypoallergenic metal
• Scratches easily

Platinum

Platinum continues to be a popular choice for wedding bands. It's often considered the most luxurious metal because it's hypoallergenic, tarnish-resistant, and stronger than gold.

To give you a point of reference for its strength, platinum is often used in heavy machinery. This gives an idea of how durable this element is. Fast forward fifteen years and your platinum wedding band will look just as great as it did on day one.

When compared to gold wedding bands, platinum is heavier and stronger. It's also a hypoallergenic material meaning there's little risk of causing an allergic reaction among wearers. this makes it ideal for those with sensitive skin or allergies. The downside? It's among the most expensive metals.

It's often considered a high-end choice for men's wedding rings because it's highly scratch-resistant and its understated, natural silvery-grey color gives it a powerful, intense aesthetic. However, its high price and extraordinary weight mean that it's not always the most practical option.

Pros

• Hypoallergenic
• Intense, white color (won't tarnish with time)
• Stronger and heavier than gold

Cons

• Expensive (often twice as much as gold)

Silver

While sterling silver is the same color as platinum, it's a very different element. If you look at silver wedding bands closely, you'll notice silver has a duller grey tone when compared to platinum wedding bands' bright appearance.

Sterling silver is a soft, malleable metal that tarnishes quite easily. This makes it an unsuitable choice for wearers that work with their hands (mechanics, construction workers, etc.) While it tarnishes easily, silver can be cleaned at home with a lint-free cloth.

Pros

• Least expensive precious metal
• Attractive color
• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Tarnishes easily

Are Gold Rings The Best Option?

Whether or not golden rings are superior to other metals is a personal choice. If you're a fan of traditional wedding bands and want a selection of different finishes to choose from, a gold ring may be right for you. However, gold is a soft element. This makes it prone to scratches.

It's also not hypoallergenic, especially if you choose white gold or rose gold. Rose gold is a compound and while it's one of the most popular ring metals for fashion, a rose gold ring arguably has less aesthetic appeal for men than tungsten or titanium wedding bands.

White gold uses rhodium plating to give it that distinctive aesthetic, but rhodium scratches and scuffs easily when it comes into contact with other materials. White gold isn't the best choice for men who work physical jobs compared to titanium, tungsten, and other durable wedding or engagement ring options.

Those who work with their hands and need something more durable will be better off with heavier metals like platinum wedding bands. There are also many alternative metals that look great, offer amazing durability, and come at a lower cost.

Alternative Metals

Alternative metals have become a big hit in the male jewelry industry. This type of jewelry includes any option that looks great and makes for an awesome ring but isn't gold, platinum, or silver. Here are the top alternative metals to consider when you're looking for non-traditional options.

 

Black Zirconium

One of the most unique materials for a ring, black zirconium is extremely scratch-resistant and has a powerful, intense aesthetic. It has an almost ceramic finish, more understated than even burnished titanium or tungsten bands. It's often reinforced with one of these materials in the center to increase its durability.

Consider black zirconium the antithesis of white gold. White gold is dipped in a rhodium bath and is relatively easy to scratch and bend, but the ring you end up with is beautiful, pale, and delicate. It symbolizes beauty and purity.

Black zirconium isn't quite the evil twin, but it's the powerful, brooding counterpart. When you and your partner choose a wedding band, coordination doesn't have to mean that you match. It could simply mean that you choose bands that complement each other, even if they're polar opposites!

Pros

• Unique aesthetic
• Resists scratches
• Sturdy material
• Can be customized easily

Cons

• Can't be resized

 

 

Tungsten Carbide

This next option is perhaps the most durable of all. Tungsten carbide is well known for its scratch resistance and affordable price. It's four times stronger than titanium and less expensive than gold. It's also available in a wide array of colors. This material gives wedding bands a sleek, modern look.

While tungsten carbide has almost indestructible properties, these bands cannot be resized. Therefore, you really want to be sure you have the perfect fit. Because a tungsten wedding band is so hard, if you ever require a larger or smaller size, you'll need to exchange the ring.

Tungsten rings are best for active people that use their hands a lot and want a low-maintenance ring. Even after years of use, tungsten wedding bands won't tarnish or lose their brilliance.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Most scratch-resistant, durable metal
• Easy to remove in case of emergency
• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Heavy
• Cannot be resized

Cobalt Chrome

Cobalt is a substance that was originally created for the medical and aerospace industry. Because it's scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic, it's grown in popularity as an alternative choice for wedding rings. The cobalt chrome alloy is naturally white. It mimics platinum rings, but it is heavier. Therefore, your wedding ring will have more weight when compared to other metals.

Finally, because your wedding ring is meant to be worn every day, cobalt rings are great options due to their extreme durability. It's possible to get cobalt bands resized, although it depends on whether any additional materials have been used in the ring.

Pros

• Great for those that like the look of white gold but want increased durability
• Very affordable
• Scratch-resistant

Cons

• Styles are limited

Titanium

Men's wedding bands are often made from titanium - and with good reason. This is a popular choice because of its lightweight nature and contemporary design. Titanium wedding rings have inlays of other metals and can be grey, silver, or black. It's a great option for those looking for customizable options.

This alternative metal is much more affordable than gold or platinum. That's the perk you get when you shop alternative metals - you get a better deal than gold, platinum, or silver, without compromising on durability or style.

Pros

• Available in many finishes
• Scratch-resistant
• Resists tarnishes & scratches
• Ideal for those that work with their hands

Cons

• Very difficult to resize

 

Ceramic

While ceramic isn't a metal, it is rising in popularity as an alternative to elements like gold, silver, or platinum. Why? Because of its unique style and the wide variety of color options. You'll often find ceramic bands in white, black, and brown. If desired, they're also made in bright colors.

Ceramic rings are resistant to scratches and very lightweight. They're not made from metal making them ideal for those who prefer to not wear metal jewelry. Ceramic wedding rings are also quite affordable.

The biggest con when it comes to this material is that it can break if dropped. You also can't resize a ceramic ring. You should ensure you have the exact fit when you buy it!

Pros

• Several color options
• Hypoallergenic
• Affordable

Cons

• Will break if dropped
• Can't be resized

 

Damascus Steel

Damascus steel is well-known for its stunning wave-like design. It's a solid choice for wedding rings because it resists tarnishes and scratches - it's also very strong and extremely lightweight. It's made by slowly heating different metals and then twisting and folding the layers to create different patterns.

While originally used in the Near East to make swords, this metalwork technique is now used for hard-wearing jewelry. It's very durable, comes in several colors, and offers a design unlike any other. If style is at the top of your list, you can't go wrong with Damascus steel engagement rings.

Pros

• Eye-catching designs
• Easy to maintain
• Affordably priced
• Durable & resilient

Cons

• Contains some nickel (not for those with metal allergies)
• Difficult to resize and cut

Carbon Fiber

Next up on our list of alternative metals is carbon fiber. These rings are designed with the stylish, modern buyer in mind. Forged carbon fiber rings are the lightest types of rings on the market without compromising strength. This is all made possible thanks to the cutting-edge technology carbon fiber rings are made with.

Carbon fiber is also ideal for those with metallic allergies. This material is hypoallergenic and does not contain any trace of metallic elements. It's actually a combination of several thin fibers that are bound together and twisted among each other and then woven into fabric.

Just like other alternative metal rings like titanium, carbon fiber cannot be resized, so be 100% of your size before you purchase your carbon fiber wedding ring.

Pros

• Lightweight material
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Cannot be resized

 

Wood

A wooden ring feels like the last thing you'd consider for your wedding band - until you see how beautiful they are. How they can be adorned with stylish options like yellow gold, rose gold, sterling silver, and amazing customization options like meteoric rock and dinosaur bone.

And if you wouldn't choose it for your wedding, you may still wish to buy a wooden ring for fashion purposes. Heat-treated wood is extremely durable and many people find it more comfortable than a metallic ring.

A minor drawback is that wood will scratch if brought into contact with hard, metallic surfaces or stone. It's arguably less appropriate for everyday use than hard-wearing tungsten wedding bands, for example. However, it's an extremely fashionable choice and has almost infinite customization options - wood is incredibly pliable.

Pros

• Gorgeous to look at
• Made from numerous wood options - whiskey barrels, ironwood, snakewood etc.
• Lightweight
• Easy to customize

Cons

• Scratches more easily than a tungsten ring or some other options

Wedding Bands — How To Choose The Right Metal

From gold to tungsten carbide to wood, you have so many options when it comes to a wedding ring. The right metal for you depends on your style, lifestyle, and budget.

Here are a few things to consider:

• How durable is the metal you're considering? Wedding bands represent a lifetime commitment so you want them to last forever. Go with a scratch-resistant material that'll last you years to come.
• Does it suit your style? If you're not into gold, silver, or other precious metals, stick with a material that feels like YOU. Ring metals vary drastically so be sure to do your research before deciding on one.
• Will it fit your lifestyle? Are you a mechanic or construction worker? Or perhaps you work in an office. Think about what you do with your hands. The engagement ring that you choose needs to fit your lifestyle. The more intensive it is, the harder the metal needs to be.
• How easy is it to maintain? Not all metals need to be polished frequently, but some do. Make sure to keep this in mind before spending money on a wedding ring.
• Is the wedding band comfortable? Not all materials will be comfortable to wear. Some metals are heavier than others. Keep weight in mind before making a final decision.
• Does it fit my budget? Finally, how much are you willing to spend on your wedding band? With all the alternative metal options available, you'll find a wedding ring that fits both your budget and your taste.

Need help narrowing down your choice for wedding bands? Get in touch with Rings By Lux today. Our team will help you narrow down the shopping decision and choose the perfect wedding ring for you or your special someone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which metal is best for mens ring?

Gold is a popular choice for men's wedding bands. Whether it's yellow gold or white gold rings, this metal will never go out of style. However, because this is a soft metal, it is easily scratched and comes with a hefty price tag. If you work with your hands (or looking for a more affordably priced ring), it's best to opt for an alternative metal like tungsten.

Tungsten is a man-made metal. It's one of the strongest metals on Earth (four times stronger than titanium rings). If you need a durable metal option when shopping for men's wedding bands, tungsten carbide is a suitable choice.

What is the lightest metal for men's wedding band?

While tungsten wins in terms of strength, titanium rings are top contenders when looking for a lighter weight. Titanium wedding rings offer a low-cost alternative to heavy precious metals.

What is the most durable material for a men's wedding band?

Tungsten carbide is stronger than steel. It's used in many military and heavy machinery applications. More recently however, it's been used in jewelry, making this hard metal perhaps the best choice when it comes to men's wedding bands.

Is titanium or tungsten better for a ring?

Tungsten is often the preferred material because of its nigh-indestructible qualities. However, if you're looking for something lighter weight, a titanium wedding ring is a good option.

Men's Wedding Ring: Shop at Rings By Lux!

When people talk wedding rings and bands, their mind usually goes to expensive metals like gold or platinum rings. However, these aren't always affordable, and these precious metals don't always fit your lifestyle. This is especially true if you're a contractor, in the medical industry, or if you live a very active lifestyle.

If you're looking for a personalized wedding band at a great price, shop Rings By Lux. Our rings are all hand-made and use alternative metals without compromising on durability. This means you'll get an incredibly strong, scratch-resistant, and affordable ring that meets your needs, preference, and lifestyle.

Shop Rings By Lux today!