In the labyrinth of wedding planning, choosing wedding rings is often assumed to be stereotypically the bride’s role. However, quite rightly, grooms are now becoming increasingly involved in the process of choosing their own wedding bands, but it can sometimes be quite overwhelming! With a vast array of prices, materials, and styles to select from, it can be difficult to know where to start. We have put together a handy guide for any prospective grooms, to give you a little bit of an overview of what your options are and what might be the best choice for you personally.
The first thing you might wish to consider is the material your wedding band will be made from. There are a few different metals that are most popular when it comes to men’s rings: gold, silver, platinum, palladium, tungsten, and titanium. Your decision might be based on cost, as these metals vary quite significantly in price, but you also need to take into account how often you will be wearing your ring and in what sort of environments.
Gold rings are very popular, whether that is yellow, rose or white gold. It is a classic choice and can tie in with your partner’s ring, if you are wanting to match. Be aware that white gold, after some time, will start to turn a yellowish colour, due to the fact that it is a yellow-gold alloy which has been rhodium plated. Every so often, you will want to get your white gold ring replated in rhodium to keep its white gold silvery colour. The frequency of this will depend on how often you wear your ring, and whether it is exposed to any chemicals on a daily basis.
Platinum is another choice for your wedding ring. It is definitely more of a luxurious option, as it is a very rare metal and so costs more than silver or gold. However, the cost is certainly worth it for its durability- it is one of the strongest precious metals the world. Another benefit of platinum is that it retains its colour, even after a long time. The colour doesn’t fade, meaning the upkeep of it is quite minimal, so if you are wanting a high quality, long-lasting ring, then this might be the choice for you.
If you are wanting the resilience and look of platinum, without the high cost, then palladium might be something worth looking at. Unlike Platinum, Palladium is available in two grades. The top grade is as expensive as platinum, but the lower grade has less pure Palladium hence its lower cost. It is still a very good metal for mens rings with a slight gun metal grey colour and it’s a fantastic choice for plain or patterned wedding bands. It is also a very lightweight, durable and comfortable metal, meaning that men find it very easy to wear every day.
Precious metal rings aren’t cheap, but they are an investment as the metal itself has intrinsic value. For example, gold is currently worth approx. £1,300 per ounce.
For those with a more restricted budget other non-precious metals are available.
Tungsten is a metal that is very durable and inexpensive, making it a great choice for labour-intensive environments. It also doesn’t tarnish, meaning it will retain its look for as long as you have it. One factor to make sure you are aware of is that tungsten rings cannot be resized, so it is really important that you have the sizing correct before committing to a purchase.
Alternatively, titanium is a metal that has become increasingly popular with men’s wedding bands. Titanium is incredibly strong but also lightweight, making it perfect for men who have very active lifestyles and love to be outside and on the go.
Titanium and Tungsten rings are traditionally silver, but can also be coloured, which offers you an edgy, unique, and different style to the traditional ring. Just be aware that colours can scratch off over time.
Lots of rings can be personalised to make them truly distinctive and individual to you as a person, so make sure you explore all your options.
At BWR-London, we believe your wedding should be tailored to you, which is why we work closely with our clients to create the perfect wedding rings. We specialise in crafting bespoke wedding rings that you’ll love forever. We can make almost any ring so have a look at our portfolio for inspiration and get in touch for more information.
