The big day is approaching and all the pieces are falling into place, with one notable exception: his wedding band. Many couples find that they leave purchasing men’s wedding rings until the last minute, and often when the budget is proving to be particularly tight.
Luckily, given the vast number of contemporary and precious options currently available for wedding rings for men, it’s possible to find a beautiful and memorable band at nearly any price. Here are some suggested materials for men’s wedding rings under $100 and under $250.
Under $100
Ceramic – Despite the almost instant mental association with pottery, ceramic men’s wedding rings are in fact usually made from titanium carbide, a material similar to tungsten carbide. Often seen in a popular ebony hue, ceramic wedding rings for men are lightweight, scratch-resistant, durable and extremely affordable.
Sterling Silver – Offering a white metal look similar to that of white gold or platinum, sterling silver has long been considered to be an affordable alternative to more precious metals. Unlike some extremely hard contemporary metals, sterling silver is malleable enough to be rendered into a number of intricate designs. On the downside, sterling silver can also tarnish more easily than other materials, though more tarnish-resistant versions of sterling silver do exist (see Argentium silver below).
Titanium – Along with tungsten, titanium is one of the most popular contemporary materials currently available on the men’s wedding rings market. Titanium is naturally a handsome gunmetal grey color and is durable, incredibly lightweight and crack-resistant. Titaniumwedding rings for men are also hypoallergenic, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
Tungsten – While natural tungsten shares the same signature gunmetal hue as its main competitor titanium, they are two very different materials. Tungsten wedding rings for men are in fact made of tungsten carbide, a ceramic material made of the metal tungsten and an equal number of carbon atoms. Incredibly hard (between 8.5 and 9 on the Mohs scale), tungsten is noticeably heavier than the extra-light titanium, and is also not entirely crack-resistant. In addition to their natural grey color, tungsten men’s wedding rings can also commonly be found in black for an edgier look, or in white for a classic silvery metal look that resembles platinum or white gold.
Stainless Steel – Most often considered being the original alternative metal, stainless steel men’s wedding rings are an enduring budget-friendly choice. Most stainlesssteel wedding bands are made in 316L, a low carbon version of 316 stainless steel. 316L stainless steel wedding rings for men are tough, tarnish and oxidization-resistant.
$100-$250
Argentium Silver – A sterling silver alloy, Argentium silver is a great option for those who want a higher quality silver ring. Made from a special formulation of sterling silver and the metalloid germanium, Argentium silver boasts a tarnish-resistance far superior to that of ordinary sterling.
Cobalt Chrome – Cobalt chrome men’s wedding rings (or simply cobalt rings, as they are often referred to as) are made from a metallic alloy of cobalt and chromium. Hypoallergenic and biocompatible, cobalt chrome is often used in medical applications like orthopedic implants. Despite this clinical sound, cobalt chrome is a rising star in the jewelry world. Offering an attractive and lustrous white metal appearance that rivals that of platinum and white gold, cobalt chrome wedding rings for men are also durable, crack and scratch-resistant.
Of course, pricing for any particular material can vary based on factors like quality, designer and other elements like a particularly intricate design or the presence of additional materials like diamonds. However, these basic price points still hold true for most styles of these popular materials found on the men’s wedding rings market.
Guest post by : Tanya Zilinskas Naouri
Author Bio: We think with a slightly stainless Steel, polished finish and shiny blue center band, this is truly one of our most innovative men’s alternative bevelededge wedding ring the right choice for men’s wedding band.
