A bright, brilliant white, platinum is one of the strongest metals available. It has all the classic appeal of white gold, but is even more durable and less prone to fading. Platinum is highly valuable, and often costs more than gold. With proper maintenance, its luster will last for a lifetime.

Platinum has purity markings, just like gold and silver. PLAT or PT indicates pure platinum, while PT950 indicates a composition of 95% platinum and 5% other metals, and PT900 indicates a composition of 90% platinum and 10% other metals.

Classic yellow gold, contemporary rose gold, or brilliant white gold–which do you prefer? There’s no wrong answer when it comes to gold. The traditional choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry, gold is treasured for its beauty and durability.

The gold used in jewelry is typically an alloy, which mixes gold with one or more metals. Pure gold is soft and easy to scratch, while gold alloy is strong enough to withstand daily wear. By mixing other metals in with the pure gold designers can also create different colors for the gold, such as shades of rose and white.The amount of gold in an alloy is measured in karats.

24K gold is pure gold. It is luxurious, but easier to damage than gold alloys. It’s rare to find jewelry that is 24K gold, and if you do find it, you’ll need to take special care of it. 24K gold may also be marked as 999, indicating at least 99.9% gold purity.

18K gold is one of the most popular metals used in fine jewelry. At 75% gold purity, it’s still mostly composed of gold, but the other metals in the alloy add plenty of durability. It may also be marked as 750, indicating 75% gold purity.

14K gold is another popular option for jewelry designers. It’s often seen in engagement rings, which need to be extra durable to handle everyday wear and tear. It’s 58.3% gold, and may also be marked as 583 or 585.

Sterling silver is attractive and affordable, making it a common sight in jewelry stores. Like gold, silver alone is not particularly durable. To qualify as true sterling silver, it must be an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. This combination boosts silver’s durability for daily wear. Authentic sterling silver is stamped 925, indicating its 92.5% purity.

Palladium is related to platinum and looks very similar to it; however, palladium is more affordable. It’s hypoallergenic, and its striking white coloring lends it plenty of sophistication.

Stainless steel is used in many industries as a heavy-duty, performance metal. When polished and designed by artisan jewelers, stainless steel can be as attractive as it is strong! Customizable and tarnish-resistant, it’s a common and affordable choice for men’s wedding bands.

Equipped with incredible strength and scratch-resistance, cobalt is a low-maintenance, low-cost metal with a high style factor. Lightweight and sleek, it provides a modern touch to men’s wedding bands.

Impressive longevity and excellent durability are tungsten’s defining features. Tungsten also has a substantive, weighty feel that many guys appreciate in their wedding band. Plus, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other metals.