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Open Monday - Friday 12:30 - 19:00
Open Monday - Friday 12:30 - 19:00
Open Monday - Friday 12:30 - 19:00
White gold is a popular choice for wedding rings, created by mixing yellow gold with various alloys to give it a paler hue. While it closely resembles platinum in appearance, it is softer, making it less durable and more prone to scratching.
Although 18ct white gold is naturally white, it is most often rhodium-plated to achieve a bright, platinum-like finish. Over time, this rhodium plating will wear away, requiring periodic re-rhodiuming to restore its original shine. Most modern white gold alloys are nickel-free, as many jewellers now use palladium-based alloys instead, making them hypoallergenic and safer for sensitive skin.
As with platinum, hallmarking is essential to verify authenticity and purity in 18ct gold. A genuine 18ct gold ring should have an official hallmark approved by the UK government stamped inside the band. This hallmark certifies the metal’s purity and authenticity.
Some rings may have markings like “18K”, “750”, or “18ct”, but these are not sufficient proof of authenticity—anyone with a metal stamp from a jewellery tool supplier can add them. To be absolutely sure your 18ct gold ring is genuine, always check for a British hallmark.
Silver is another common option and is far cheaper than both platinum and white gold. However, it is much softer and will wear more easily, making it less suitable for long-term durability.
Silver is easier to work with, making it ideal if you anticipate needing adjustments to your ring. One downside is that silver tarnishes—a process where the metal reacts with oxygen and sulfur, forming a darkened or dull surface that requires polishing to restore its shine.
Additionally, silver can turn black almost instantly when exposed to certain chemicals, including bleach, chlorine (found in swimming pools), sulfur compounds, sweat, and fumes from cleaning products.
If you’re looking for a naturally white metal but don’t want platinum, palladium may seem appealing, but it has significant drawbacks. While it has a bright shine, it is far less durable and much weaker than platinum, making it more susceptible to bending and damage.
Unlike platinum, palladium does not develop a patina over time. High-quality palladium jewellery is solid and durable, but it lacks the long-term reliability of platinum, making it a less ideal choice for a wedding ring.
Rhodium belongs to the platinum group metals (PGMs), which includes platinum, palladium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium. It is frequently used to coat white gold jewellery, giving it a brilliant platinum-like finish. However, rhodium plating wears away over time, requiring periodic re-rhodiuming to maintain its brightness.
Some people opt for steel or titanium rings as an even cheaper alternative to silver. While these metals are durable and resistant to wear, they come with a potential safety risk.
If a precious metal ring (such as gold, silver, or platinum) ever gets stuck on someone’s finger due to swelling or an accident, a jeweller can easily cut it off using standard tools. However, titanium and stainless steel rings are much harder to cut, requiring specialized equipment.
In an emergency, removing a titanium ring may require high-speed rotary tools or diamond-coated saw blades, which firefighters or hospital staff may need to use. Stainless steel rings can also be difficult but not impossible to remove.
For tungsten rings, cutting is not an option—instead, they must be shattered using a vice grip or similar tool.
As with all precious metals, hallmarking is essential to verify authenticity and purity. A genuine platinum wedding band should have an official hallmark approved by the UK government stamped inside the ring. This hallmark certifies the metal’s purity and authenticity.
Without a hallmark, there’s a possibility that the ring may not be solid platinum. Some rings may have markings like “PLAT” or “Platinum”, but these are not sufficient proof of authenticity—anyone with a metal stamp from a jewellery tool supplier can add them. To be absolutely sure your platinum ring is genuine, always check for a British hallmark.
A hallmark is a legally recognized stamp that certifies the purity and authenticity of precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. In the UK, hallmarking is carried out by Assay Offices, which independently test and verify the metal’s composition before applying the official mark.
A hallmark typically includes:
Hallmarks provide consumer protection, ensuring that jewellery meets legal purity standards and is not misrepresented. Always check for a hallmark when purchasing precious metal jewellery to guarantee its authenticity. You can find everything you need to know about hallmarks on the London Assay Office website.
When it comes to durability, prestige, and timeless beauty, platinum remains the ultimate choice for wedding rings. Its superior strength ensures a lifetime of wear without losing integrity, its natural bright white hue requires no plating, and its dense, luxurious weight adds to its unmistakable quality.
Additionally, platinum is naturally hypoallergenic, making it the safest choice for those with sensitive skin or metal allergies. Unlike some other metals, platinum does not react with sweat, cosmetics, or everyday chemicals, ensuring comfort and longevity.
While platinum does scratch, it primarily displaces material rather than losing it. However, deep scratches or aggressive polishing can result in minor material loss over time. Despite this, platinum retains its weight and structure far better than gold or silver, making it ideal for heirloom jewellery.
For those who want the best in craftsmanship and wearability, platinum stands unrivaled as the ultimate wedding ring metal.
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