How to Buy Celtic Wedding Bands: Step One: Choosing an Alloy

By Liam Grant

Couples who have chosen to purchase Celtic wedding bands are just at the beginning of the decision making process. The first step is to consider which alloy they want their ring to be made of. With many options to choose from, we will look at four popular choices. First, we will look at traditional yellow gold. Second, we will learn about white gold and how it differs from yellow gold. Third, we will consider the strength of titanium. Finally we will look at Tungsten carbide as a ring choice. Ring shoppers will want to acquaint themselves with many materials to ensure they choose the one that fits their needs best.

As far as a traditional material, there is no alloy like yellow gold. Due to the value of gold in all societies, the ring itself will have significance. As the purity of gold goes up, so does the softness and malleability of it, this makes it easy to reshape and re-size. In spite of its popularity, yellow gold has some weaknesses. The same malleability that gives it the ability to be re-worked also lends itself to easily becoming dinged and dulled. In time, many yellow gold rings lose some of their shape. Yellow gold is not always the ideal choice for couples with active lifestyles that want to wear their rings continually.

Another popular choice in wedding rings today is white gold. Couples who like the tradition of yellow gold, but don't like its color are often very happy with white gold. White gold is a combination of yellow gold with a zinc, copper, or palladium that gives it a whiter look. A finished white gold ring is coated with rhodium which increases the whiteness of the material. The benefits of white gold are the same as yellow gold. Drawbacks are also similar. White gold can be scratched and bent easily. White gold bands also need to be re-plated with rhodium regularly. Usually every 6-18 months. For some, the benefits outweigh the upkeep, for others it's just another thing to do.

In recent years titanium has gained a wider audience in wedding ring material. Unlike other alloys, titanium is extremely light. Although it is not a heavy material, it is a very strong material. Unfinished titanium is dark gray in color, but can be altered by different finishes. Titanium can be a great wedding ring material for couples who don't want the hassle of consistent upkeep. There are some misconceptions that titanium rings cannot be cut off in case of accidents. Since it is harder than gold, the cutting process is also more difficult but it can still be done. One drawback that titanium has is that re-sizing it is not possible.

Tungsten carbide is the newest material to market that we will look at. Tungsten carbide is created by combining a bonding agent with tungsten and carbon particles. Once a tungsten ring has been cast it is extremely hard and scratch resistant. Tungsten is actually a lot heavier than gold or silver, but it much more durable also. As wedding bands go, tungsten rings maintain the cleanest finish as scratches to it are not easily visible. Tungsten lacks the malleability of gold and cannot be re-sized. Tungsten rings can also be broken if dropped onto ceramic tile or other accidents.

For couples selecting a wedding band there are many choices. They can choose one of the materials we have covered or they may elect for materials that we have neglected for the time being. What is critical is that a couple select a ring material that they will be happy with for years to come. Couples who do their research will find they are much happier than a couple that just picked the first things that appealed to them. - 33380

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