Men's Wedding Bands - Let it Be Known That He is Taken

Men's wedding bands are considered, across many cultures, to be one of the ways a man demonstrates his love for his spouse. By wearing a band, he is not only letting everyone know that he's 'taken' (in love!), and it is as a constant reminder for him also.

As with women's wedding bands, there are a variety of rings for men available to choose from. Not only can their styles differ greatly, but so can the precious metal they are made from. Gold is probably the most popular, primarily because it is the most traditional. However, today people are looking for more variety, and so wedding rings can be purchased fabricated from white and rose gold, platinum, titanium and many other types of precious and semiprecious metals.

Yellow gold wedding bands can be alloyed with other metals, such as copper, zinc, nickel and silver. Not only does this add to the design, but it also makes them more durable. Durability often is extremely important, especially with regards to a man's wedding band.

In order to know how pure a gold wedding ring might be, check the number before the "k" (the technical term is karatange, but nowadays is simply referred to as karats) and also the manufacturer's trademark. The higher the karat number, the softer and purer the gold. An 18k gold wedding ring is considered the 'best' balance between durability and purity. The 9k is the most inexpensive gold available in the open market. Always make a point of checking, before you buy.

Platinum wedding bands are expensive, this metal being even more precious than gold. It looks silver/white in appearance, and it is comparatively heavier. It is considered a durable metal which is hypoallergenic, non-corroding and tarnish resistant. However, even though platinum bands are stronger, they can easily scratch. To keep that original luster, characteristic of platinum, it will be necessary to polish it regularly.

Titanium wedding rings are the most durable of all, and well suited for men involved in heavy or physical work. Titanium mens wedding bands will retain their shape for a long time, and cannot be damaged easily. Even so, there is a flip side -- if these bands are scratched, they must be polished and repaired by an experienced jeweler. It is unlikely that you will be able to make any repairs yourself. Furthermore, they cannot be re-sized and therefore you must choose one that fits perfectly. Plus you should never put on or lose any significant amount of weight. All of which is certainly food for thought!

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