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Choosing the right metal is especially meaningful for wedding and anniversary bands. In this guide we explore your options, from classic metals like gold, sterling silver, and platinum, as well as alternative metals such as cobalt, stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, and tungsten, and alternative materials like silicone to suit every style, preference, and lifestyle.

   

Classic Metals
Gold

When it comes to wedding and anniversary rings, gold is a classic choice that stands the test of time.

Compare Metals and Materials For Your Ring

Type GOLD STERLING SILVER  PLATINUM 
VALUE Value differs based on karat. 24k and 18k are the most valuable, followed by 14k and 10k gold.  One of the most affordable precious metals, it will be stamped with a ".925" hallmark verifying it is 92.5% pure silver. High value, as one of the most prized precious metals. It will have the hallmark "PLAT" indicating a minimum of 90% platinum.
CARE Clean with warm water and dish soap, carefully dry with a soft cloth. Sterling silver can tarnish. Store in a cool, dry place or in tarnish-preventative bags. Clean with warm water and dish soap, carefully dry with a soft cloth.
LIFESPAN  18k, 14k, and 10k gold rings can last a lifetime. With proper care, sterling silver lasts for several decades of wear. Can last a lifetime and be passed down through the generations.
HYPOALLERGENIC  Gold can contain copper, nickel and zinc. Yellow gold is the most hypoallergenic compared to white gold and rose gold. Sterling silver can contain zinc or nickel. It is not 100% hypoallergenic. Platinum jewelry is hypoallergenic.
STRENGTH Higher purity gold (24k and 18k) is softer and can be scratched while 14k and 10k gold is more durable. Sterling silver is a durable metal that can hold up to everyday wear. Platinum is incredibly strong and is the most durable precious metal.
RESTORATION Gold rings can handle resizing and professional polishing for restoration. Tarnished sterling silver can be restored in the hands of a professional and this metal can handle resizing. Overtime platinum patina (a frosted appearance from years of wear) can develop. This can be polished away to restore its original shine. Platinum can also handle resizing.
RARITY While the metal itself is not rare, the work it takes to refine high quality gold for jewelry gives it its value. Pure silver, used to make sterling silver, is rare because of its limited supply. Since sterling silver is alloyed with other metals, it less expensive. Platinum is thirty times rarer than gold, which makes it more valuable and expensive.
HEFT The purer the gold, the heavier the ring will feel to wear. Sterling silver has a more lightweight feel to wear. Platinum is one of the densest precious metals and will have more of a heft than gold.

Alternative Metals
Type TUNGSTEN TANTALUM TITANIUM 
VALUE Alternative metals, like tungsten, have less value than precious metals.  Alternative metals, like tantalum, have less value than precious metals. Alternative metals, like titanium, have less value than precious metals.
CARE Simple to clean with warm water, dish soap and dry with a soft cloth. Simple to clean with warm water, dish soap and dry with a soft cloth. Simple to clean with warm water, dish soap and dry with a soft cloth.
LIFESPAN  Strong tungsten is tarnish resistant and can last a lifetime of wear. Tantalum is tarnish resistant and has decades of durability. Titanium is non-corrosive and can last a lifetime.
HYPOALLERGENIC  Tungsten jewelry is hypoallergenic. Tantalum jewelry is hypoallergenic. Titanium jewelry is hypoallergenic.
STRENGTH Tungsten is one of the hardest metals used for jewelry, making it durable and low maintenance. Tantalum is durable for everyday wear and is scratch resistant. Titanium is very durable, but gold-plated styles can be more likely to scratch.
RESTORATION Tungsten rings cannot be resized, it can be polished to restore its shine. Tantalum rings can handle resizing and professional polishing for restoration. Titanium rings cannot be resized, it can be polished to restore its shine.
RARITY While tungsten is considered “scarce” it is not as rare as traditional precious metals. Tantalum is a newer metal used for jewelry, so it is more uncommon, but not as rare as traditional precious metals. Titanium is not as rare as traditional precious metals.
HEFT Tungsten has a natural heft and will feel heavier to wear. Tantalum has a more lightweight feel to wear. Titanium has a more lightweight feel to wear.

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