There’s a lot of information out there on engagement rings and wedding bands for women. However, when it comes to men’s wedding bands, it’s still a bit of a mystery. Rest assured guys have their choice, too, especially when it comes to metals and materials.
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Life can be tough. Whether it’s your job or a demanding hobby, your hands tend to bear the brunt of that tough work. When you’re picking out a wedding band for men that will last a lifetime, you want to make sure that it can keep up with you (or the one you love) and continue looking its best for years to come.
After all, this is the ring you’ll be wearing for the rest of your life. Therefore, you want to choose a ring that is true to the hand that is wearing it. Here are the best materials for men’s wedding bands that really will stand the test of time.
Best Materials for Men’s Wedding Bands
1. Platinum
Although platinum is beautiful and durable, it’s one of the most expensive metals. However, due to the investment, this metal does tend to hold it’s value. It’s also a lovely complement to a bride’s platinum wedding ring set.
2. Stainless Steel
Kitchen appliances such as pots and pans might come to mind when you think of stainless steel. However, this material makes for the most durable wedding band. It resists rust and corrosion, making it incredibly strong.
3. Titanium
With a lower resistance to scratching and lightweight wear, titanium has the strength to make it comfortable and tough. Additionally, this nickel-free material makes it tarnish-resistant. Consequently, it’s perfect for those in the aerospace and sporting industries.
4. Ceramic
A modern alternative to traditional gold bands, ceramic is one of the hardest materials known to man. Only a few things in the world can scratch this piece of jewelry. This attribute makes it a beautiful glossy ring that won’t fade over time.
5. Tantalum
Tantalum is substantial and denser than many other metal wedding bands. As a result, it’s unique and rarer than other metals. It’s also durable and highly resistant to scratches. While tantalum men’s wedding bands may develop natural wear over time, they can easily be polished to look just like new.
6. Cobalt
For durable men’s wedding bands, you can’t go better than cobalt. It’s nearly as strong as tungsten and is scratch-resistant. Additionally, cobalt isn’t as brittle as other metals. Therefore, it will keep its winning looks even after going through the wear and tear of everyday life.
7. Serinium
Newly patented and high-tech, this eco-friendly option is resistant to wear. Serinium doesn’t scratch easily and won’t change color when exposed to soaps and detergents. It’s non-toxic and hypoallergenic and is a bright silver-white.
8. Carbon Fiber
It’s not a metal, but carbon fiber makes for a durable wedding band. Made from thin strands of carbon woven together, you can find carbon fiber in everything from sporting goods to spacecraft. This substance makes a solid and featherlight ring that can stand up to anything.
9. Tungsten
Rings made of tungsten are made of tungsten carbide, which is easier to work with. Unfortunately, it’s a heavy metal that can’t be resized. Therefore, it can conduct heat and electricity if you’re not careful. However, it provides a unique look that is slightly different and won’t lose its shine.
Bonus: Gold (of course)
Gold is one of the most popular choices for wedding bands, and it has been the standard for a long time. These durable rings will last a long time. However, they may need some polishing from time to time to look their best.
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When you know that your wedding ring will see a lot of work over the years, it’s essential to choose a material that is just as steadfast as your marriage. These options won’t disappoint and are perfect for any man looking for a wedding band that will last forever.
Photos: Ruthson Zimmerman, Rockford Collection, and Denny Muller
StephanieMy husband has a white gold ring, and yes he does have to have it polished every now and then. My cousin just got married and he’s a firefighter. He has his good gold ring but also a silicone one that’s safer when he’s on the job. I never knew there were so many material options for wedding rings!
BethI love all of these different options for wedding bands. Gold has always been the standard, but I enjoy these unique alternatives. I think they’re so much more interesting.
Ramil HinolanHa..ha.. ha.. I never knew that man’s wedding band can be made with different materials. When I get wed many years ago, I just picked the gold kind.
Melanie EThere seems to be far more choice available than I realised. My husband opted for a platinum ring.
ClaudiaWhen choosing your wedding band metal, you’ll come across a bewildering variety of traditional and modern metals, each with a range of pros and cons. Thanks for narrowing them down for us. It was so helpful.
Gervin KhanWow! Great article, it’s very informative and very detailed! I totally prefer the platinum material. It looks mesmerizing and the quality is definitely on top. Loved it!
ChristineThese are all really nice wedding bands for men. Since my husband lost his original one, I’d like to get him a nicer one than the one he replaced it with. I’ll bookmark this post.
Ntensibe EdgarOoohhhh…it is nice to hear about tantalum! I always find it amazing that rings made in it don’t easily fade off.
BryanThis is interesting. I knew about some of these materials, but I didn’t know that wedding bands we made using metals like Tungsten. Each option has its good and bad points.
MayI’ve only known of gold when it comes to wedding bands, but we ended up with one made of stainless steel instead. We lost our original bands when we were strapped for cash and needed to prioritize our children.
RoseyIt’s such a precious momentum. You really do want to get something that will last a lifetime.
Erik the Hungry TravellerThank you for sharing this, as a dude I had no idea there are a lot of materials to choose from for wedding bands. I do gravitate to those silvery bands though.
Ivan Carlo JoseI’m not too fond of gold but I like silver and titanium. My current wedding band is white gold.
Neely MoldovanMy husbands is Platinum and its held up really well! Such great info for the different types.
Jazmine HazegawaWow! Thanks for sharing those choices. My cousin is planning for her wedding. I will definitely share this with her.
Faith Stephenson I am glad you have shared this. I never recognized that there are so many choices for picking up rings.
katrina m kroeplinthis is great information. i’ll def consider if i ever need to replace my husband’s band
BrianWow, I had no idea that there were so many different options. And so many different factors to consider!