One of the rising stars of the wedding ring industry, mens platinum wedding rings are growing in popularity as each year passes. This article takes a closer look at mens platinum wedding rings and provides advice on choosing one and ideas and suggestions for designs and styles.
The Platinum Look
With an appearence similar to that of silver or white gold, platinum is a naturally occurring white metal that will never lose its lustre. In order to be strong enough to work with, a jeweller will mix platinum with another metal (often iridium, ruthenium or cobalt) to produce a suitable alloy with which to work.
There are a number of grades used in the production of mens platinum wedding rings with the most popular proving to be:
PL950 : 95% platinum by weight and widely considered the optimum platinum alloy
PL900 : 90% platinum by weight - widely sold and cheaper than PL950
PL850 : 85% platinum by weight - sold by certain jewellers, but be aware that the quantity of alloy can lead to some discolouration and sometimes less durability.
The Platinum Advantage
In some cases, mens platinum wedding rings can cost up to twice as much as their gold counterparts simply becuase the metal is thirty to fourty times rarer than gold, and is viewed as a highly precious commodity. Additionally, platinum is both more difficult and more expensive to resize and repair.
However, although more expensive, platinum does have a number of advantages over other metals:
Platinum is hypoalergenic - Whilst some metals can cause skin irritations, platinum has a hypoalergenic quality to it, making it an ideal choice for those men with sensitive skin.
Platinum is non-tarnishable - as with all metals, platinum will scratch, but unlike certain metals it does not displace, nor lose it's original mass. Additionally, platinum will never fade or lose it's original white colour.
Platinum is heavier - A dense metal, mens platinum wedding rings are around 40% heavier than their 18k gold counterparts, and a whopping 60% heavier than 18k gold rings. This weight provides the ring with a for more 'manly' feel.
Platinum and Style
Rarer, stronger, purer and, you guessed it, more expensive than gold, platinum is also more maleable making it ideal for more complex or intrinsic designs. Some of the most popular options for mens platinum wedding rings are shown below:
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The most popular of all, a plain mens platinum wedding ring is both simple and understated. Shown here with round edges and a comfort fit, domed and squared edges are also commonly available and prove popular. |
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A combination of platinum and any other metal - or sometimes just a differently treated version of its own. Shown here is a two tone platinum wedding with a sandblasted version of platinum surrounded by a polished verion of the metal. A platinum and yellow gold mix also proves particularly popular. |
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Rising in popularity are mens platinum wedding rings inset with a gemstone, typically a diamond which looks particularly effective. Shown here with three small round cut diamonds inset into a sandblasted platinum band. |
When it comes to the style and shape of mens platinum wedding rings you are really only limited by your imagination. So, if you do have a particualr bespoke design in mind, be sure to speak to your jeweller of preference to see if they are able to oblige.
Platinum Alternatives
If you are unsure if platinum is for you, there are a host of alternatives to mens platinum wedding rings out there - for more ideas, check out the following links:
Gold Mens Wedding Rings
White Gold Mens Wedding Rings
Titanium Mens Wedding Rings
Alternative Metals - coming soon
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Related: There are hundreds of wedding articles on the site, each filled with superb ideas, advice and inspiration. Check out the links in the left hand column to read more. Alternatively, to search for a local wedding venue, product or service provider, try our Wedding Directory. With over 13,000 companies already listed, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
