A wedding ring is the one piece of jewellery you never take off. It goes through the washing up, the gym, the garden and the school run, day after day, for decades. So the metal you choose shapes how the ring looks, feels and wears for a lifetime, and it deserves more thought than it usually gets.

There is no single right answer, only trade-offs worth understanding. Here is a clear comparison of the four metals we work with, so you can choose the one that suits your hand, your routine and your budget.

The quick comparison

Platinum: the quiet heavyweight

Platinum is the metal most people picture for a fine wedding ring. It is naturally white, so it never needs coating to keep its colour, and it is denser than gold, giving a ring a reassuring weight on the finger. That density makes it beautifully durable: it does not wear away so much as move, developing a soft satin patina over the years rather than thinning. Some people love that patina; others prefer the original polish, which a jeweller can restore in minutes. Platinum is also naturally hypoallergenic, a sensible choice for anyone with sensitive skin. Its one drawback is price, sitting at the top end both for the raw material and because it is harder to work.

Browse our platinum wedding rings to see the weight and finish in a range of profiles.

White gold: the bright all-rounder

White gold gives you the cool, bright white of platinum at a gentler price. It is made by mixing yellow gold with white metals, then finishing the ring with a thin plating of rhodium, a brilliant white metal from the platinum family, for that crisp shine.

Here is the part worth knowing before you choose: the rhodium plating wears. Over a few years it thins and the warmer tone of the gold beneath begins to show, particularly under the band. Restoring it is a simple, inexpensive job called re-plating, but it is a small ongoing commitment. If any upkeep puts you off, platinum will suit you better. If you love the white look and the value, white gold wedding rings are an excellent choice.

Yellow gold: warmth and heritage

Yellow gold is the oldest choice of all, and firmly back in fashion. Its warmth flatters most skin tones, the colour runs all the way through so it never needs plating, and it carries a timeless feel that pairs beautifully with vintage and modern designs alike. The purity you choose changes its character, which brings us to carats, below. Our full range of yellow gold wedding rings runs from slim classics to wider statement bands.

Rose gold: romance with a modern edge

Rose gold has become one of the most loved metals of the last decade. Its soft pink blush is distinctive without being showy, and it suits warm and cool skin tones alike. The colour comes from adding copper, which brings a practical bonus: rose gold is genuinely hard-wearing, a little tougher than yellow gold of the same carat, so it is a sensible as well as a beautiful choice for daily wear. Like yellow gold, the colour runs all the way through, so it never needs plating, and it flatters the brightness of diamonds beautifully.

How pure? The carat question

Gold comes in different purities, measured in carats, and this is a genuine trade-off between colour and hardness:

• 18ct gold is 75 per cent pure, with the richest, deepest colour and a lovely weight. It is a little softer than 9ct, so it marks more readily, though those marks are part of a life well lived.
• 9ct gold is 37.5 per cent pure, harder and more affordable, holding up well to knocks, but with a slightly paler colour and less heft.

Neither is better. It depends on whether you value colour and weight or hardness and price. Couples choosing together sometimes pick different carats to suit each hand and its habits.

Mixing metals, and choosing together

You do not have to choose just one. A mixed-metal ring, a yellow gold band with a white gold edge, for example, is a lovely way to bridge a difference in taste or to match jewellery you already wear. If you are choosing rings as a couple, a shared metal or a shared detail can tie two different designs together.

Whatever you choose, every metal we work with is either recycled or from Responsible Jewellery Council certified sources, and every ring is made in our own London workshop and hallmarked at the London Assay Office, which independently verifies the metal.

Frequently asked questions

Which metal is most hard-wearing for a wedding ring?

Platinum is the most durable overall, developing a patina rather than thinning. Among golds, rose gold and 9ct are the hardest, thanks to their copper and lower gold content respectively.

Does white gold turn yellow over time?

Not the metal itself, but its rhodium plating gradually wears, letting the slightly warmer tone beneath show through. Re-plating restores the bright white and is a simple, inexpensive job every few years.

Is platinum worth the extra cost over white gold?

If you want a bright white ring with no upkeep at all, and especially if you have sensitive skin, many people find platinum worth it. If you are happy with occasional re-plating, white gold gives a very similar look for less.

Can I have a wedding ring in a different metal to my engagement ring?

Yes, though it is worth knowing that metals of different hardness gradually wear against each other over many years. Matching the metals of rings worn side by side helps them age together.