There’s no right or wrong when it comes to which metal you “should” wear to your day of “I dos”, but it can help to be informed about your choices.
While there are other metals out there, including more modern ones such as aircraft-grade titanium (perfect for the ultra-modern newlyweds), these three are the most popular picks:
Gold
This metal is the gold standard (get it?) for wedding rings and one that will never go out of style. Whether white, yellow, or rose, gold is a classic choice among couples because it’s durable (it won’t tarnish and will last generations), low-maintenance, and elegant. Gold also has a high tensile strength—this means it won’t get bent out of shape easily, but this largely depends on the purity of gold.
With that in mind, if you do go for gold, you should first know what “karat” means. You may think that the higher the karat, the higher quality of the ring, but that’s a common misconception about gold rings. In general, the “lower” the karat, the stronger the metal is, with 10K gold being the most durable. The downside to 10K gold is that it’s the least pure, but if you have to be hands-on at work or you’re worried about dents, it’s the most sensible option.
Here are different types of gold you can choose from:
Yellow gold. This is considered “real” gold as it’s made of pure gold. It’s also the most popular type of gold used in rings.
White gold. This is a type of gold that’s been combined with white metals, and plated with rhodium to reveal a silvery sheen that’s similar to platinum. While it suits most skin tones, it will lose its luster over time. To maintain its condition, you’ll need to re-plate it with rhodium once a year.
Rose gold. Also known as “pink gold”, this type of gold offers a pinkish tint due to its high copper content. Because it’s not as pure as other types of gold, it’s significantly cheaper.
Sterling silver
Another sought-after metal is sterling silver, which is pure silver combined with metals such as copper to make it more durable. Its main benefit is that it’s affordable, but there is a catch: it’s softer than most metals, which means it’s more prone to scratches. This, however, doesn’t mean it’s a poor choice—with proper upkeep, sterling silver will give your ring a luxe look that will last for years.
Silver tends to tarnish easily, so be sure to store it in a cool, dry place or wrap it with anti-tarnish paper.
Platinum
Want a metal that will complement your wedding band’s diamond beautifully? With its silvery-white shine, platinum is the perfect choice. Being the most durable of all metals, platinum is guaranteed to retain its shape and hold any gems in place for a long time. Along with that, it’s more resilient than other metals and is less likely to show signs of wear and tear. However, because it’s so durable—not to mention rare—you may have to go beyond your wedding budget.
Platinum rings don’t really come with cons except for how expensive they can be. But if you’re willing to look past the price, they are worth it in the long run because of how low-maintenance they are.
What’s the right metal for the rest of my wedding day jewelry?
Now that we’ve got your wedding bands covered, you may be wondering what metals the rest of your bridal jewelry should be. Most brides take a cue from their engagement ring’s metals, meaning if their sweetie proposed with gold, they’ll wear gold earrings, necklaces, etc. on their wedding day. It’s often easier to wear like with like, as it results in a clean, cohesive look as opposed to combining metals, which can be tricky as their colors tend to clash.
While your engagement ring’s metal is a great jumping-off point, it isn’t the only factor to consider. Here are two questions that will help you pick the perfect metal for your wedding day jewelry:
What color is my wedding gown?
White wedding dresses aren’t always 100% white. They can be true white (the whitest shade of white), ivory (white with warm undertones), champagne (white with gold undertones, bordering on beige), blush (white with red undertones), and the list goes on. It’s important to aim for wedding jewelry that complements the actual color of your dress to create a harmonious bridal look.
As a rule of thumb, opt for white gold, silver, or platinum if your wedding dress is pure white or has blue-ish undertones. Conversely, yellow and rose gold will go beautifully with the warm tones in champagne, ivory, and blush gowns.
What metal goes with my skin tone?
Make sure to match your wedding jewelry with your skin tone. Brides with warm-toned skin look best in gold pieces, while those with cool-toned skin should gravitate toward sterling silver and platinum. To determine what your skin tone is, check the color of your veins—if they look blue, you have cool-toned skin, but if they have the slightest tint of green, you have warm-toned skin.
The “right” metal is what you want to wear
Again, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing the ideal metal for your bridal jewelry. The rules on wedding-day jewelry aren’t really rules—they’re suggestions. So wear what makes you feel like your best, most beautiful self because after all, it is your wedding day. If you’re not a fan of gold even if it flatters your skin tone, then go ahead and wear other metals. Don’t worry, you won’t be committing a fashion faux pas! We know that whichever metal you pick, you’ll still be the most picture-perfect bride.
For more tips on planning one of life’s biggest milestones, be sure to check out our blog.
Comments