Wedding rings symbolize the unconditional love and devotion between two people. To fully convey the importance of this message, newly engaged couples should choose an appropriate ring for their spouse. But with so many different types of rings on the market, how do you know which one to choose?

There are several different factors which should be taken into consideration when shopping for a wedding ring, one of which is the metal. Jewelers produce wedding rings in a variety of metals, including silver, platinum, gold and more. Here, we’re going to compare some of the most commonly used metals in wedding rings, revealing their strengths and weaknesses.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold offers an elegant, classic style for wedding rings. Both men and women enjoy the luxurious appearance of authentic yellow gold rings. It’s a great metal that’s versatile and brilliant, making it an excellent choice for wedding rings.

One of the disadvantages to choosing a yellow gold wedding ring, however, is the fact that it’s susceptible to scratches, dents and other damage. If you’re going to purchase a yellow gold wedding ring for your spouse, make sure it contains enough alloy metals to prevent damage such as this.

White Gold

Of course, white gold is another popular metal used in wedding rings. It’s become an increasingly popular choice in the past 10 years, and more and more people look for alternatives to traditional yellow gold. The shiny surface of a white gold wedding ring offers a brilliant style that’s easy to match (which is a huge benefit of its own).

Platinum

Platinum looks strikingly similar to white gold, but with one major difference: the price. A platinum wedding ring might cost anywhere from 50-100% more than a traditional white gold ring. Couples shopping for wedding rings on a budget should probably skip this metal and look for other, more cost-friendly alternatives.

Tungsten Carbide

Arguably, the single most effective and versatile metal for wedding rings is tungsten carbide. It’s exceptionally strong, durable, looks amazing, and it’s even hypoallergenic – meaning there’s a low risk for skin allergies.

If your spouse has skin allergies, you should stick with a hypoallergenic metal such as tungsten carbide. It’s a beautiful metal with a low risk for allergic reactions. And best of all, tungsten carbide is significantly cheaper than gold, platinum and even silver.