Platinum or Gold Wedding Bands: The Ultimate Guide

When it comes time to decide on wedding bands, there are several factors to consider when shopping. The wedding bands should be similar to, if not matching, your engagement ring. Also, the bride and groom usually choose bands that are matching so that they are wearing the same style of ring, but this is not strictly necessary. Have a price point in mind before shopping, as you may have to make a decision based on the price. The most common wedding bands are yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. Take your lifestyle and your comfort into consideration when shopping for your wedding bands.

Photo by Jenn Durfey (Flickr)

Platinum

Platinum is the most precious metal because it is one of the rarest elements on earth, and it is the ideal choice for a wedding band. As time goes on, the natural white color of platinum will not decay or waver but will endure time with its natural beauty. Although it is higher in price because of its scarcity, its nature is more demanding and requires a more skilled jewelry designer to be able to make it into a beautiful creation. One piece of platinum jewelry requires much effort in order to be mined and refined, and this process often takes many weeks of hard work.

Platinum bands, which are at least 90 percent pure, have intrinsic value, which is the worth of a metal. The prices of metals fluctuate depending on their supply and demand, but the intrinsic value depends on how precious a metal is and how limited its availability is. Because platinum is more scarce, it tends to be more costly and will keep its value over time. The life span of a platinum band is long, as it is a very heavy and durable metal. Platinum bands can last for many generations, and they have a good restoration factor, so they are able to be sized, refinished, and reconditioned and turn out looking just like new. It is a hypoallergenic metal, so it is unlikely that it will cause an allergic reaction to those with more sensitive skin. It happens to be the only 100 percent hypoallergenic metal.

Yellow gold

Yellow gold is an ideal metal for a wedding band if you prefer a colored metal to a white metal. The intrinsic value of a yellow gold band is good but not excellent in comparison to a platinum band. The precious metal purity of yellow gold is usually 58 percent for 14-karat and 75 percent pure for 18-karat. The additional percentage is usually non-precious metal. Yellow gold is hypoallergenic, so it is also a good metal to be used for jewelry for someone with sensitive skin. The lifespan, the surface strength, the restoration factor, the rarity, and the feel of yellow gold are considered average in comparison to other metals used in jewelry. Gold is a softer metal and can bend or break more easily than platinum.

White gold

White gold generally has the same qualities as yellow gold, although it is a bit less hypoallergenic compared to its yellow counterpart. The main difference in deciding to choose white gold instead of yellow generally lies in the preference of the wearer. If you prefer a white-colored metal and prefer not to go with platinum, white gold is a good alternative.

Wedding bands

When making the decision for your wedding band, you must consider the type of daily activities that your ring will be enduring. If you or your spouse is someone who is rough on rings, then platinum may be a better choice. If you plan on your wedding band becoming a family heirloom one day, you must choose a metal with durability and longevity such as platinum. If price is a major factor in your decision-making, then yellow or white gold may be a better choice. Whichever metal you choose to use for your wedding bands, the meaning behind the jewelry is what is most important.