Couples who have chosen to purchase Celtic wedding bands are just at the beginning of the decision making process. The first step is to consider which alloy they want their ring to be made of. With many options to choose from, we will look at four popular choices. First, we will look at traditional yellow gold. Second, we will learn about white gold and how it differs from yellow gold. Third, we will consider the strength of titanium. Finally we will look at Tungsten carbide as a ring choice. Ring shoppers will want to acquaint themselves with many materials to ensure they choose the one that fits their needs best.
Yellow gold is traditional and is still preferred by many. The material itself adds to the rings value. It is easier to reshape than other alloys because of how soft it is. Yellow gold has been chosen by many couples, but it also has its drawbacks. Gold is more soft than other materials used in wedding bands. In time, the material can look dull, nicked-up and scratched. Some gold rings will lose their shape in time. People who are in contact with other hard materials or activity may find gold just isn’t right for them.
Another popular choice in wedding rings today is white gold. Couples who like the tradition of yellow gold, but don’t like its color are often very happy with white gold. White gold is a combination of yellow gold with a zinc, copper, or palladium that gives it a whiter look. A finished white gold ring is coated with rhodium which increases the whiteness of the material. The benefits of white gold are the same as yellow gold. Drawbacks are also similar. White gold can be scratched and bent easily. White gold bands also need to be re-plated with rhodium regularly. Usually every 6-18 months. For some, the benefits outweigh the upkeep, for others it’s just another thing to do.
In recent years titanium has gained a wider audience in wedding ring material. Unlike other alloys, titanium is extremely light. Although it is not a heavy material, it is a very strong material. Unfinished titanium is dark gray in color, but can be altered by different finishes. Titanium can be a great wedding ring material for couples who don’t want the hassle of consistent upkeep. There are some misconceptions that titanium rings cannot be cut off in case of accidents. Since it is harder than gold, the cutting process is also more difficult but it can still be done. One drawback that titanium has is that re-sizing it is not possible.
Tungsten carbide is a relatively new ring to the marketplace. To create tungsten carbide, tungsten and carbon materials are combined with a bonding agent. The ceramic mixture that is produced is then cast and the finish it retains is very durable. The finish is very hard to scratch, and the material itself is heavier than gold or silver. The surface will still be able to scratch, but they don’t show up as well as they do in gold or even titanium. As with titanium, these rings cannot be re-sized. Also, tungsten rings can actually break if dropped from a height or if involved in rough situations.
For couples selecting a wedding band there are many choices. They can choose one of the materials we have covered or they may elect for materials that we have neglected for the time being. What is critical is that a couple select a ring material that they will be happy with for years to come. Couples who do their research will find they are much happier than a couple that just picked the first things that appealed to them.
Liam Grant has always been interested in Celtic Wedding Bands. He currently helps run a site that sells all varieties of Celtic Wedding Bands and Celtic Wedding Rings