December 25th, 2009 by Liam Grant

Once a couple decides on purchasing Celtic wedding bands, there are some important decisions to make. The material of the ring is the first thing to consider. There are many options for materials, here we will consider four popular choices. We will consider yellow gold. Next we will learn about white gold. Titanium as a material for wedding rings will be looked at. To finish, we will look at Tungsten Carbide. Since there is no right answer about which is best, buyers will want to acquaint themselves with many materials.

Traditional yellow gold is probably the most popular choice for wedding rings historically. Its intrinsic value adds to the symbols meaning. Because gold is so soft, it can be re-sized and reshaped. Despite its popularity, yellow gold still has some drawbacks. Because of its malleability, it is easy for the ring to become nicked and scratched and dull as a result. Also, over time some rings lose their shape. Those who plan on keeping their ring on while they perform routine daily tasks like yard work or cleaning may find gold isn’t the right material for their ring.

White gold is another choice that has been very popular in the last decade. White gold holds true to some of the tradition without the yellow gold look. White gold is made by combining a yellow gold alloy with iron, zinc, or palladium. White gold rings are then finished with a rhodium plating that gives the ring a whiter look. White gold and yellow gold share many of the sames benefits. Their drawbacks are also the same. White gold can get scratched easily and lose its shape. Wedding rings made of white gold also need to be re-rhodium plated regularly to maintain their look. Most manufacturers recommend every 6 to 18 months. Some couples find the benefits outweigh the maintenance, for others it becomes another item on the “to-do” list.

Titanium rings have seen widespread use in recent years. Titanium is a very light, but durable alloy. It is a strong material and is sometimes used for drill bit tips and other high friction items. It is a dark gray color naturally, but can be enhanced with different finishes. Since it is hard to scratch, and maintains a nice luster even after wear, many couples are happy with the low maintenance titanium. Some old wives tales will say that titanium rings cannot be cut off of ones finger in the case of an accident. Although it is more difficult to cut a harder material, it is still possible. Because of the hardness of the material, it is impossible to re-size a titanium ring.

Of all the materials we are looking at, tungsten carbide is the newest and most unknown. Tungsten particles are combined with carbon and a bonding element to create tungsten carbide. Tungsten rings are actually a type of ceramic, and once they are completed they have a very hard and shiny finish. Although it is much heavier than gold or silver, it’s finish will withstand many more scratches. Even when the surface is scratched, the scratches are much harder to see. Like titanium, tungsten cannot be re-sized. Like other ceramic material, tungsten can actually break if dropped onto ceramic tile or if crushed in some way.

Choosing a wedding band means making many choices. A couple can choose a traditional material or a new one. The most important thing is that a couple choose something they will be pleased with. There is a much better chance of a couple appreciating their rings if they have taken the time to educate themselves.

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