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The process of choosing the right wedding band can be a little daunting these days as the selection of materials and styles increase. If you are in search of a wedding band for yourself, or your fiance, then you have no doubt noticed there are many more varieties of rings available than there were a few short years ago. Since the ring you choose will ultimately be worn for many years to come, you will no doubt want to ensure that proper steps are taken to guarantee that the ring you choose is a reflection of the personality and lifestyle of its new owner. The following information will provide you with some very useful information that you can use in finding the right wedding band.

In recent years there has been an explosion of exciting new metals that jewelers around the world have started to use. These metals are: Platinum, Palladium, White Gold, Titanium, Black Titanium, and Tungsten Carbide. Let's discuss these materials in depth, including both their strong and weak points.

Platinum

Platinum is a rare, precious; naturally white metal. It lacks any alloys with yellowish hues that will turn it an off-white. Because of this, it will keep it's shiny white luster indefinitely, which makes it an excellent choice for anybody who wants a white wedding band. Because it is so rare, it is also very expensive. At the time this article was written (9-10-2007), platinum was selling for over $1280 per ounce. As a result, a plain wedding band made of this material can cost well over a thousand US dollars, and the price goes up as the design becomes more intricate.

Although this metal is very dense, and heavy, it is also very malleable. This makes it great for the intricacies that you will find in a woman's wedding band. However, this means that the ring will become easily scratched and dented in a very short period of time, which can be detrimental for a man's wedding band. Because of this, it will need to be removed at times of manual labor, or during such activities as working out with weights. Even though the material does scratch easily, it does not wear away or thin with age, making it an excellent choice to hold a diamond.

Platinum is also hypoallergenic, and, since most bands are around 90% to 95% pure, this makes it a very good alternative for those individuals whom are allergic to white gold. However, since it does not oxidize, it can leave dark smudges on your skin.

Palladium

Palladium shares many of the same characteristics as platinum. It is also a naturally white metal, however, it is much more bright than platinum. Although it is even more rare than gold, it is also less expensive. So, a palladium ring will usually cost a lot less than platinum or white gold. Also, like platinum, palladium will not oxidize and discolor into a yellowish tint with time.

At the same time as being much lighter than platinum, it is also much harder and will not scratch as easily as platinum. Palladium is also hypoallergenic.

White Gold

The natural color of gold is yellow. In order to make it white, yellow gold must be mixed with a naturally white metal, such as nickel. The resulting metal is a more of a whitish color than the brilliant bright white that you will see in platinum or palladium. So, manufacturers will plate the ring with rhodium to make it whiter. However, within a short period of time the rhodium coating will wear off, exposing the ring's true color. Some people are allergic to nickel, and therefore cannot wear white gold.

Gold is a precious material. At this time (9-10-2007) gold is selling for approximately $700 per ounce. Most rings are made of 14K (58% pure) or 18K (75% pure) gold. Gold is also very soft, meaning that it will scratch very easily, although not as easily as platinum. And, unlike platinum, it will wear away with time.

Titanium

Titanium is a light gray metal that can be polished to a very shiny and reflective appearance. When a textured finish is applied its color darkens. It can also be combined with yellow gold or platinum to create some very exciting and unique looks. It is also one of the more affordable materials. Basic bands sell for as low as $100.

Titanium is also very lightweight. In fact, while you are wearing a titanium band you will often forget that you even have it on your finger. It is also incredibly strong, which means that it can take a beating, literally speaking. Hit it with a hammer and it will not bend or break. If you were to give the same treatment to most other rings they'd either fold in half or shatter into pieces. Needless to say, you will never wear out a titanium ring. It will still scratch with normal wear, but these scratches can easily be taken out by a jeweler for a nominal fee.

The biggest downside to titanium is that, because of it's density, it cannot be sized. So, unless you purchase your ring from a store that has a lifetime resizing, don't plan on losing, or gaining any weight over your lifetime!

A very remarkable quality of titanium is that it is completely inert and does not react to body chemistry. So, even for those who are very allergic to metals, it is completely hypoallergenic. In fact, titanium is even used inside the body for hip and joint replacements.

Black Titanium

Although black is not the traditional color for a wedding band, many men will find that black titanium rings have a more "edgy" appeal. If you're looking for something that is unique and will really set you apart, this is the style for you. Black titanium bands come in a variety of styles. Many are decorated with white gold, platinum and yellow gold inlaid. If you really want to stand out with one of these rings, then you should check out black titanium wedding bands with tension set diamonds.

The only true black titanium rings are made by Edward Mirell, using Spectore brand Black-Ti (www.edwardmirell.com). During the manufacturing process, the rings are made using the Black-Ti patented alloy which turn black when subjected to extreme temperatures and atmospheric conditions in a controlled environment. The surface of the ring can be compared to a black ceramic, which is very hard and resistant to minor scratches. The black titanium does not fade or wear off. Although, it can be lightly scratched with heavy use.

Black titanium rings are very affordable. One of the most popular black titanium wedding bands sells for less than $200.

Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten carbide is perhaps the most masculine choice for a man's wedding band. They are very hard and incredibly scratch resistant. If you want to have a little fun with your buddies, (especially after a couple beers), take a metal file to your tungsten carbide wedding ring and file away on it. After a giving it a good effort simply wipe the ring and show your friends. To their amazement the ring will still be in perfect condition! You can wear your tungsten carbide ring during any activity and it will always look like it did the day you bought it.

At the same time as being very hard, tungsten is also very brittle. Just dropping the ring could crack it. This does, however, make it a very safe ring to wear. For instance, if you were to slam your hand in a car door the ring would simply fracture into pieces rather than pinching down on your finger, cutting off its circulation. Nevertheless, make sure that the jeweler that you choose to purchase your ring from has a lifetime warranty to cover such scenarios.

One thing to look out for when purchasing a tungsten carbide ring is that it is indeed a tungsten carbide ring. Some of the cheaper bands are actually made out of tungsten alone, which will scratch with normal wear. Some manufacturers will also use cobalt in their rings because it is cheaper. I advise you to stay clear of such rings, as cobalt will react to your body's chemistry and can cause a world of problems.

Tungsten carbide rings will fit into most budgets as it is also very affordable. Plan on spending around $200 to $350 or more if you want diamonds or a precious metal inlay to your ring.

Because tungsten is so hard, like titanium, it cannot be sized.