What Metals Are Available For Diamond Wedding Bands And Men’s Bracelets?

If you focus only on the bling when buying diamond wedding bands and mens bracelets, you’re forgetting one of the most important components – the metal that the jewellery is made from. Whilst the bling is certainly an important part of the design, it’s the base that holds it all together that should take priority. There are actually a variety of different metals to choose from; we have outlined them all here, precious to contemporary, for your convenience.

▪ Platinum – This metal has a soft white hue that is highly attractive. It is 30 times more rare than gold, which does make it quite an expensive choice. When used in jewellery, platinum is 90 to 95% pure, which really brings out the beauty of gemstones. Over time, it will wear and scratch, but these can be polished out fairly easily.

▪ Gold – There are actually hundreds of possible gold mixtures, but the most popular ones include yellow, white and rose. As pure gold is actually quite soft and easily damaged, it is mixed with other metals to make it more durable – in Australia, we have 18K or 9K. Jewellery can be buffed with a soft cloth to keep it shiny and smooth.

▪ Sterling Silver – These days, this is the most affordable of the precious metals. It ranges from bright white to grey-white in colour and can have a matte or shiny finish. It is combined with other metals to boost its strength, but must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. This jewellery will tarnish, so store in protective bags in a cool, dry place.

▪ Stainless Steel – This is an alternative metal that is quickly growing in popularity for jewellery due to its strength, durability and affordability. These pieces can be polished to take on different looks and are mixed with 10.5% chromium to help it resist oxidation. This jewellery can be easily cleaned with dishwashing liquid, water and a soft cloth.

▪ Titanium – This alternative metal has become popular for jewellery, men’s in particular, as it is so lightweight. It is black, grey or silver in colour and often features inlays of other metals. Titanium is also hypoallergenic, another reason for its popularity. It is one of the most scratch-resistant materials available but cannot be resized.

▪ Tungsten – This alternative metal is four times harder than titanium whilst also being silvery in appearance. It is used in its pure form and is hypoallergenic, one reason for its popularity. Little maintenance is required for tungsten as a result of its hardness, however, remember that this type of jewellery cannot be resized.

Regardless of the metal you have ultimately selected for diamond wedding rings and men’s bracelets, it is important that you take several steps to ensure the pieces remain polished and scratch-free – store jewellery in separate pouches or compartments; wash jewellery in a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water solution; remove pieces for manual labor, playing sport or working with harsh chemicals; and have them professionally cleaned on the odd occasion.