5 Popular Men’s Wedding Band Metal Options [update]

1. Gold Wedding Bands for Men

Gold is traditionally the most common and classic choice for wedding bands for men and for good reason! This timeless jewelry metal will simply never go out of style. From yellow to white, to rose gold hues, this jewelry metal offers you a plethora of options:

• Yellow gold is usually a combination of pure gold with a little bit of zinc and copper. Yellow gold’s rich hues compliments people with warm undertones in their skin.
• White gold rings have a silvery-white color, which gives it a cool and contemporary look that tends to suit fair and rosy skin tones.
• Rose gold is a mix of pure gold and copper. The copper is what gives rose gold its signature hue and adds durability. But take heed if you have sensitive skin, copper is not hypoallergenic. Rose gold looks good on both warm and cool skin tones, but it particularly suits those with olive and pink undertones.

The Durability of Gold

Gold is a naturally light and malleable metal. Because it is so soft, it can be bent or scratched rather easily. A higher karat number indicates a higher percentage of gold content, but more gold also makes a ring less durable.

People who work with their hands a lot may want to choose no more than 14-18 karat gold wedding bands. A pure-gold 24-karat wedding band will likely not stand-up to an active lifestyle.

White gold is also slightly stronger than yellow gold. A 14K yellow gold ring will show signs of wear and tear quicker than a 14K white gold ring. Rose gold has the advantage of being more durable than both white and yellow gold.

White gold bands do require maintenance to keep their original shine and true silver color as the rhodium plating wears down over time depending on the pH of the wearer and how much wear and tear it’s exposed to. Don’t worry though as it’s a quick inexpensive fix and can be done at any local jeweler. Your ring will look brand new after!

Gold Wedding Band Care

Avoid chlorine, bleach, or any other abrasive chemicals. Always remove your gold wedding band before getting in a pool or hot tub, and keep it covered when cleaning.

Simply soak your gold band in warm water and use a subtle soap to remove any visible dirt or debris to keep it clean. Always use a soft jewelry cleaning cloth to dry a gold band, and avoid tissue or paper towels because it could scratch it.

Arguably the only downside to choosing such a durable metal is that Tungsten wedding bands cannot be resized. So, when purchasing a tungsten band, make sure the fit is perfect.

It is also worth noting, that Tungsten is denser than other metals, which means If you’re not a fan of heavier jewelry, then you might not like the feel of Tungsten wedding bands.

In its natural state, tungsten has a steel grey color, but tungsten wedding bands are available in a variety of colors such as gunmetal grey, black, or a rich tone of silver.

Durability of Tungsten

Tungsten is man-made and one of the strongest metals on earth. In fact, it is four times stronger than titanium, making tungsten the most durable metal option for a men’s wedding ring.

Tungsten bands are particularly appealing for men who work with their hands because they stand up to plenty of metal to metal contact all day.

Tungsten Wedding Band Care

The good news is these rings are super low maintenance! Tungsten metal is not likely to scratch, tarnish, or require any extra care from the wearer. Soap and water are all you need to keep your tungsten wedding band clean.

2. Sterling Silver Wedding Bands for Men

Sterling silver men’s wedding bands are an affordable white metal that can vary from bright white to cool grayish tones. The band can be polished for a shiny finish or treated to have a matte finish.

3. Platinum Wedding Bands for Men

Platinum has a natural silvery grey color and is dense, which gives rings made of platinum a more robust feel. It is also one of the rarest metals and is most commonly used in its purest form, which is the reason it’s one of the more expensive precious metals available on the market. Platinum is also naturally hypoallergenic which can’t be said for other common jewelry metals, like white gold - making it a great option for anyone with sensitive skin.

The Durability of Platinum

Men’s platinum wedding bands can definitely stand some wear and tear and will last a long time without fading or changing color. If your ring is going to take a lot of wear and tear, platinum is an ideal (and practical) investment.

Platinum Wedding Band Care

To maintain its irresistible shine, you will want to use a gentle jewelry cleaner, preferably one made specifically for platinum metal. Use mild soap and warm water to gently remove any oils or debris from the wedding band, and a lint-free cloth to pat it dry.

4. Titanium Wedding Bands for Men

If you are looking for a durable material that does not cost too much then titanium is the answer – they are lightweight, durable, and, like platinum, naturally hypoallergenic. However, because of its strength, it’s harder to resize so bear this in mind before purchasing.

The color of titanium metal is similar to silver but is a deeper gray and has a natural satin finish.

The Durability of Titanium

Titanium is a great wedding band option because it’s durable but considerably light. A Titanium wedding band would be a great choice for a man who works with his hands or lives a generally active lifestyle.

Titanium Wedding Band Care

The general upkeep of a titanium wedding ring is rather low. Simply wash the band with gentle soap and water and pat dry with a soft cloth to keep it clean. Most surface scratches can usually be removed with a cream metal polish.

5. Tungsten Wedding Bands for Men

Sonoma and Napa County’s Premier Source of Men’s Wedding Bands

For the last 140 years, our jewelry specialists at E.R. Sawyer Jewelers have been helping Sonoma and Napa County couples find the perfect wedding bands. The metal that you select for your wedding ring should fit your personal style, your lifestyle, and most importantly, look amazing on your hand for years to come.

Visit our Santa Rosa, or St. Helena jewelery store for a complimentary wedding or engagement ring cleaning. Grab a coffee or browse the local shops while we quickly buff and wash your ring and make sure you don't have any loose stones!

Contact us online with any questions or to learn more about finding the perfect men’s wedding band!