One of the biggest choices you’ll have to make when purchasing a wedding band is deciding what type of metal is the right fit for you. The four most common metals used for wedding bands include platinum, yellow gold, white gold, and stainless steel. Here’s everything you need to know about these four metals:

Platinum: Prized for its bright white color, platinum is one of the most durable metals available. It’s is also one of the rarest and densest metals, making it one of the priciest as well. So why do people choose to pay the extra money and go with a platinum wedding band? One of the reasons is peace of mind knowing that your gemstones will be secure in your platinum ring. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, making it a popular choice for those sensitive to certain jewelry metals.

• Pros: Very durable, requires little maintenance, will last a lifetime, hypoallergenic
• Cons: Pricier than the other metals

Yellow Gold: If you’re looking for a classic wedding band, yellow gold is the metal for you. Out of the four metals listed in this post, yellow gold is the only colored metal. One of the downsides to gold wedding bands is that when scratched, you lose a small portion of metal every time. It’s also not as durable as platinum, so if you’re someone who uses his or her hands a lot, you may want to consider selecting a different metal.

• Pros: More affordable than platinum, classic look, color doesn’t change over time
• Cons: Less durable than platinum, can wear down

White Gold: Since gold is naturally yellow, white metals such as nickel need to be added to a gold alloy in order to create the metal’s white appearance. Unfortunately, nickel also tends to be the cause of jewelry allergic reactions, so those who are highly allergic to the metal should avoid white gold jewelry in general. A white gold wedding band will also require more maintenance than the other metal bands. In order to create the bright, white appearance that rivals platinum, a layer of rhodium will typically be added to white gold jewelry. This rhodium layer wears down overtime and will need to be re-plated by a jeweler usually every 1-2 years.

• Pros: Similar appearance to platinum but less expensive
• Cons: Less durable than platinum, more maintenance required, people can develop an allergic reaction

Stainless Steel: Extremely durable, lightweight, and affordable, Stainless Steel is becoming one of the most popular choices for men’s wedding bands. Even though the metal is very durable, it still can become damaged. Chlorine has been known to eat away at Stainless Steel and make it more prone to corrosion. Because of this, you should avoid wearing your Stainless Steel band in the pool. Stainless Steel is also very difficult to size, so if your ring ever becomes too big or too small, you’ll most likely need to purchase another band.

• Pros: Very affordable, hypoallergenic
• Cons: Cannot be resized, cannot be worn in pools