Why Are Wedding Rings Gold?

The Egyptian pharaohs first used rings to represent eternity, as a circle reflected the sun and moon, which they worshipped. The open space in the middle of a ring represented a gateway to the future. Gold, a classic choice for wedding and engagement rings, comes in various colors such as yellow, white, and rose gold. Gold is malleable and easy to work with, allowing for color alteration. Gold represents love, illumination, positivity, passion, wealth, prosperity, glamor, and grandeur. Platinum represents true love, strength, purity, rarity, and everlasting love. Gold ring purity can be measured in carats, with 24-carat gold being 100% gold and 18-carat gold being more common (75% gold). Tungsten carbide rings are popular for men’s wedding bands, but they are considered haram due to their imitation of negative aspects of marriage and the belief that it affects the marital relationship.

A classic gold wedding band is a timeless symbol of marriage and commitment, often worn on the left ring finger. These rings are typically forged from gold or another precious metal and were used in ancient Rome during marriage. The price of a plain 9ct white gold wedding ring can range from £150 for a 0.5 cm band to £400 for a 0.7 cm band. The ring’s price depends on the amount of gold used and the strength of the gold.

Some common metals used in wedding rings include nickel, cobalt, titanium, and platinum. Plain wedding rings are often chosen for their functionality and symbolism of marriage. Yellow gold is the most traditional color for wedding rings, symbolizing eternal love and commitment. White gold, made by mixing gold with other metals, is a popular alternative. Gold is only affected by friction, making it a durable piece of jewelry.

Gold wedding rings are made of solid gold, with most being made with 14 karat gold. However, adding a platinum wedding band to a gold engagement ring can cause the gold to become scratched over time.

Why are rings not 24K gold?

Despite being extremely valuable and beautiful, 24K gold is not commonly used for engagement rings. 24K gold is such a soft metal that it bends and scratches easily, which makes it an impractical metal for a ring that either you or your fiance-to-be will wear daily. Gold alloys are harder and therefore better for jewelry – especially rings.

Diamonds and gemstones are not well suited for setting in pure gold. Being fully aware of your options, including the advantages and disadvantages of 24k gold, is vital to making a well-informed purchase.

Delighted happy couple with their gold setting engagement ring.

Is white gold OK for a wedding ring?

Both white gold rings and platinum rings are both completely safe to wear, as they are relatively pure precious metals. Platinum is a very pure alloy, being made almost completely of pure platinum. In fact, the only other metal used in jewellery that is more pure is 24ct gold. However, people rarely use 24ct gold for an everyday piece of jewellery as it is too prone to damage. Platinum is the most hypoallergenic of all metals used to make jewellery, so it would make an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

White gold can be a good choice for those with sensitive skin, too. However, the wearer must take care of a white gold ring, as if the rhodium plating wears off the white gold alloy, depending on the composition of the metals can cause an allergic reaction. Sometimes white gold can contain higher amounts of nickel, which can cause skin irritation.

Overall, if you have quite sensitive skin, platinum would be the safer choice for an engagement ring.

Why aren’t wedding rings silver?

So, if silver has been successfully used for so long and in so many ways, why isnt it used for engagement rings?. Over the years we have seen and made some beautiful silver jewellery but most have been dress pieces and are not designed to be worn every day. Engagement rings and wedding rings are usually worn all the time, so silver being a softer, malleable metal it will quickly show signs of wear and is prone to bending out of shape quite easily. Those of you who currently wear or have worn silver rings will be all too aware of their tendency to distort. Often the constant flexing from round to oval and back to round again will cause the joins to fracture relegating many silver rings to the back of your jewellery box, perhaps to be repaired one day.

In silver rings that are set with gemstones, most of the wear is visible at the base of the ring but what you may not realise is that the most important place to look for wear is around the centre stone. The centre stone is the focus of the piece and to be honest, its usually most of the budget. The reason for the ever-popular trend of delicate, fine claws that this shows the stone to its fullest, there is only a small amount of contact between the metal and the gemstone keeping it in place. This means that silvers trait of being more malleable is detrimental and, if the ring is knocked, a claw could easily bend and the stone will loosen or even worse, fall out!

Do Silver Rings Change Colour?. While freshly polished silver is a beautiful, highly reflective metal, it will tarnish and/or oxidize quite quickly. It can react with the acids in our skin causing it to darken, this can also cause a black stain to be left on your skin under the ring. Some household chemicals will also react with silver and it isnt uncommon for people to have dermatological reactions to it.

Are wedding rings usually gold or silver?

Gold. Gold is the most common and classic choice for wedding and engagement rings—and for good reason. Whether its yellow, white, or rose gold, this metal provides you with many options. While its considered the mecca of luxury, select it with caution: You might think the higher the karat (not be confused with a diamonds carat) the better, but when it comes to the longevity of your ring, thats not necessarily the case.

Twenty-four-karat (pure) gold is so soft that it can easily be scratched or bent, and jewels can easily fall out, Elliott says. In order to make a ring that is stronger, anything under 24 karat is always an alloy with other metals, such as copper, silver, or platinum. Of the four most common gold purity levels, 10k is the most durable, though it also has the lowest gold content. If selecting white gold, keep in mind that you may want to rhodium plate it once a year to try to keep its bright color.

Consider your lifestyle before choosing a higher gold purity—if you work with your hands or are generally more concerned about the lifespan of your ring, opt for no more than 14 to 18 karats.

Is it haram to wear rings as a man?

Yes, its permissible in Islam for men and women to wear wedding rings, although the mans ring should be simple and silver, not Gold. It also shouldnt have valuable stones like diamonds in it. The Prophet pbuh wore a small silver pinky ring with a single stone in it turned towards his palm.

Can a man wear a silver wedding ring?

Silver rings are very classical and popular as mens wedding rings. They give off a cool, comforting, and practical look. Silver often represent strength.

Along with silver, gold is also a popular and very classical option. Gold is often considered to be a stylish color for a mans wedding ring and can also symbolize wealth.

Along with gold rings, rose gold rings can also symbolize wealth, but they are a modern option that pair well with a womens wedding ring that is also rose gold.

Why are most wedding rings white gold?

White gold is the most popular metal for wedding and engagement rings because white gold is simply gorgeous and provides a timeless look for any style setting. The white color will always amplify the look of your diamond engagement ring, and both men and women love how the neutral color matches everything.

Many people choose white gold over the similar looking precious metal platinum due to cost. White gold will costs less than platinum partly because 2,7000 tons of gold are mined per year compared to 80 tons of platinum, making platinum 30% more rare. In addition, platinum is much denser, purer and heavier than a gold alloy mixture. So a plain, white gold wedding band will be less expensive than the same band in platinum, but is still a great purchase because it is a classic precious metal.

3. A Wider Selection of Rings In White Gold Are Available.

Is it haram to wear wedding rings?

A Wedding ring is not permissible in Islam if it causes trouble to the married couple. The engagement ring is a kind of ring, and there is nothing wrong with rings in principle, unless that is accompanied by the belief that this will create strong bonds between the couple.

Is platinum stronger than gold?

. Platinum. As mentioned above, platinum is a luxurious and naturally white precious metal that is stronger than gold and is moveable. There are no colored metals such as nickel or copper mixed in, making it hypoallergenic. Typically, platinum is mixed with palladium, another naturally white metal. Unlike white gold, you do not have to get platinum rhodium plated! Platinum takes on a patinated look that may darken the shining white to a more dull white color. Some say it ages like the time you spend with your significant other and choose to keep the weathered look. You are able to get platinum polished, but you will want to limit the times you do this to avoid shaving off too much of the softer metal.

Because platinum is harder to work with than gold, it requires more time, attention, and expertise to craft the perfect piece. Since rings made of this natural metal are 90% to 95% pure metal, the item crafted will feel significantly heavier and denser than its opponent. Platinum is much rarer than gold, making up approximately 10% of the amount of gold mined. Due to this rarity, platinum is slightly more expensive, but will always carry its value as an investment.

The Decision. When it comes down to it, either metal is durable enough to last a lifetime and this really depends on your personal preference and budget. Personally, we prefer platinum since it is collectable in any form and will hold its value long term better than white gold. It also is hypoallergenic and naturally white so no worries about it turning slightly yellow! White gold is a great option for someone who wants a more scratch resistant ring and will be able to upkeep with the rhodium plating maintenance. Click here to make an appointment to better explore your setting options!

What percent of wedding rings are gold?

Most wedding rings are 14 karat gold (58.3% gold, and 41.7% alloy) because they maintain the bright gold color we associate with the metal, and are quite durable.

Can you get a 24K ring?

When is 24K Gold the Right Choice?. If youre interested in gold as an investment, or if youre looking specifically for 24K jewelry for a wedding party or traditional wedding gift, then 24K gold is typically the right choice.

However, for engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, wristwatches and other jewelry, 24K gold isnt a good option. Although its extremely pure, its far too soft and easy to scratch for it to be a practical choice of metal for jewelry that you or your fiancé-to-be will wear often.

As the Times of India explains, 24 karat gold is way too soft for a jewelry metal. 24K gold is extremely soft, meaning a ring made out of gold this pure could easily warp and become unwearable.

If youre looking for the purest gold thats still practical for an engagement ring, wedding band or other jewelry, we recommend choosing 18K gold. With a 75% gold content, it offers a rich, warm appearance while still providing an acceptable level of scratch resistance and durability.

What is the disadvantage of white gold?

DISADVANTAGES OF WHITE GOLD. White gold jewellery can become scratched, especially when worn on a daily basis.

White golds rhodium plating will wear away over time. Youll need to have it re-plated (called rhodium plating) to keep its ‘white colour however, this is a simple process.

Because nickel may be present in the gold alloy, white gold may not be suitable for metal allergy sufferers.