Your wedding ring is the one piece of jewellery you will wear every single day, often for decades. So the metal you choose is not a small decision. It affects how the ring looks, how it wears, how much it costs, and whether it can be repaired or resized down the line. Here is an honest comparison of the four metals Dublin couples ask us about most.
Gold
Gold is still the classic choice, and for good reason. Although pure gold is too soft to wear daily, so it is mixed with other metal alloys for strength. The stamped karat number tells you everything you need to know: 18 karat gold is 75 per cent pure gold, 9 karat is 37.5 per cent. A higher karat means a richer colour and a higher price, but also a slightly softer ring.
Gold comes in three colours. Yellow is the traditional, warm look. White gold has a bright, modern look - adding Rhodium plating as a last step of finishing the ring gives it a crisp, ultra white look. Rhodium naturally wears over time and needs re-plating every few years but it is a quick and safe process. Rose gold has a warm pink tone that has stayed popular. If you are weighing up the warmer shades, our piece on rose, red and pink gold can tell you all about it.
Platinum
Platinum is denser and heavier than gold, and it is naturally white, so it does not Rhodium plating. It is very hard wearing and kind to sensitive skin, which is why a lot of people with metal allergies choose it. If you want a white ring that stays white with no upkeep, though, it is hard to beat.
Palladium
Palladium is part of the same family as platinum and shares a lot of its qualities. It is naturally white, kind to sensitive skin, and does not need plating. It is also lighter than platinum. We have written a fuller comparison of palladium, platinum and white gold if you want to dig into the detail before deciding.
So which one should you choose?
There is no single right answer, the decision is yours! It is also worth thinking about how the band will sit beside the engagement ring. Our guide on matching your wedding ring to your engagement ring covers that, and if you are shopping for a groom, have a look at our guide to men's wedding rings.
Think ahead to repairs and care
Whatever metal you pick, ask the jeweller whether it can be resized in the future and how it should be cared for. Gold, platinum and palladium can all be resized at our workshop on 5 Mary Street, and each metal has its own cleaning needs. For the white metals, our notes on cleaning platinum and palladium are a good starting point. Buy with the next twenty years in mind, not just the wedding day.