Platinum vs Palladium Wedding Rings

Platinum wedding rings have been a rival to traditional gold ones for a number of years now, but recent years have seen newer metals such as palladium offer a very similar package for a lower price tag. Let's take a look at the two materials to see whether the difference is just a question of money alone.

Platinum Wedding Rings

Platinum has become such a popular choice for a number of reasons. It is hypoallergenic, so people who suffer skin irritation from gold or other jewellery are safe to use it. Its strength means much higher levels of purity can be used in platinum wedding rings without them becoming too soft to be sustainable. So while gold rings will rarely be above 75% purity, it's not uncommon to get platinum wedding rings at 95% purity. These are perfect for couples who want a ring of good quality and lasting value. Platinum is more resistant to scratching than gold because of its relative hardness. Though platinum rings are not immune to damage over time, it is fairly easy to get rid of any marks through polishing. When new or freshly polished, even men's plain brushed platinum wedding rings display a shine virtually unmatched by other metals.

Palladium Wedding Rings

Palladium was given official precious-metal status in 2010. Palladium jewellery usually comes in two different grades: 950, which is the top standard; and 500 which contains less pure palladium but is significantly cheaper. It also costs less than platinum. Generally, it ticks most of the same boxes as platinum, in that it is strong, fine to use with sensitive skin and a better alternative to things such as white gold. However, for those who prefer the bright white tone of platinum, palladium can appear greyish and slightly duller. The newer metal is also not favoured so much by jewellers as it is harder to work with, which also bears about thinking from the buyer's perspective in terms of alterations and repairs. The choice is ultimately personal, but does depend on things such as purity, sheen and workability, as well as cost. Platinum remains most people's preferred alternative to traditional precious metals, though it's always worth looking at all of the options to make sure you're getting what you want.