When it comes to men’s wedding bands, the most popular metals are still gold (white, yellow, or rose) and platinum. However, there are many more metal options to consider. Contemporary metals like stainless steel, titanium, and tungsten are all affordable options for those looking to save a little extra money while also looking for something durable that can withstand their active lifestyles. So which contemporary metal is the right choice for your wedding band? Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when deciding between stainless steel, titanium, and tungsten bands.

Cost: The cost of a wedding band is primarily determined by the style and amount/type of metal used. Your most affordable option will be a stainless steel wedding band, which will cost you less than $100. A nice quality titanium wedding band will generally cost about $100 and a tungsten wedding band will typically cost anywhere between $200 and $300.

Scratch Resistance: For many men, a wedding band is the first piece of jewelry they’ll ever wear. They may not realize that once in a while jewelry may need some occasional maintenance, like a good polishing to get rid of any scratches and make the wedding band appear brand new again. Even though some men prefer the “used” appearance of a worn wedding band, others prefer that clean, polished look. Tungsten is the most scratch-resistant metal of the three metals, followed by stainless steel and then titanium, which is the most likely contemporary metal to develop scratches over time. So if you’re looking for a low maintenance wedding band that will always look freshly polished, tungsten is the right choice for you.

Weight: Some men prefer the heavier feel of a wedding band because it makes them feel as if they’re wearing something of great significance. Others prefer the comfortable, barely noticeable feeling of lightweight wedding bands. Whatever the case may be, you should always try on a band before purchasing it to make sure it feels right to you. Out of these three contemporary metals, titanium will be the lightest. Stainless steel will have a medium weight to it and tungsten will be the heaviest.

 

Hypo-allergenic: Some people are very sensitive to certain metals (mainly nickel) commonly used in jewelry and may experience itchiness, redness, or another type of discomfort when wearing certain pieces. If you’re one of these people, consider avoiding tungsten wedding bands. Stainless steel and titanium, however, are both hypoallergenic, meaning that they typically won’t cause an allergic reaction on your skin when worn.

Base Color: All three of these contemporary metals have slightly different appearances. Stainless steel typically features a steely gray base color while titanium has a medium black or gray appearance. Tungsten will generally be light gray. However, all of these metals can be plated to display a color ranging anywhere from white to black. To truly get a good sense of these three metals, it’s best to compare them in person.

 

Engraving: Sometimes couples choose to engrave the inside of their wedding bands with their wedding date or a special message. If that’s the case, the good news is all three of these contemporary metals can be engraved.

Sizing: Stainless steel, titanium, and tungsten are all extremely challenging to work with compared to the precious metals (gold, sterling silver, and platinum). However, a skilled jeweler with the proper tools should be able to resize stainless steel and titanium wedding bands. Oftentimes, it’s easier to just order another wedding band since they’re so affordable, but if you’d prefer to keep the wedding band you already have, these metals can be sized. Tungsten wedding bands, on the other hand, cannot be resized.

If you’re still not sure which contemporary metal wedding band is the right fit for you, contact an experienced jeweler you trust to answer any questions you may have. They’ll be able to guide you into selecting a wedding band you’ll cherish for years to come.

 

To see part of our men’s wedding band collection online, click here. If you’d like to schedule an appointment to look at wedding bands, contact Kloiber Jewelers at 414-276-2457 or info@kloiberjewelers.com.