Silver or white gold..

10 replies

dressornot · 19/09/2023 20:46

My engagement ring is white gold.
We aren’t materialistic about wedding bands and are looking for something cheap & durable. Don’t really want to pay close to £1000 which is what white gold would be, for many men’s (5-6mm) bands.
I don’t think DH notices or minds too much about metal. He works a very hands on job so 9/10 times will be wearing a dirt cheap replacement ring from Argos anyway and saving the actual wedding band for best. I can’t really tell the difference between silver and white gold visually. If I could turn back time I’d have probably opted for a silver engagement ring.

Would it be not the done thing for him to get silver (huge price difference) and me to get white gold? Do most couples tend to match metals?

OP posts:

AlmostAJillSandwich · 19/09/2023 20:49

Silver is a much softer metal that scratches easily, and tarnishes far more. I'd go titanium personally, white gold if titanium not an option. Silver with daily wear will really show damage in a fairly short time.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 19/09/2023 20:49

My rings are all platinum and DH has a palladium ring, because he liked the darker grey colour and it's a tough metal.

cleowasmycat · 19/09/2023 20:50

White gold will need re-dipping as the yellow will start to show through.

cocksstrideintheevening · 19/09/2023 20:51

If wedding bands are important to you and budget is an issue I'd look at titanium.

I've got platinum rings and can't wear them since horrific contact dermatitis in early covid times,

I have white a white gold for my other hand and it's so soft it's not worth it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/09/2023 20:51

You don't have to match. DH has titanium and I have platinum.

There are so many better options for men's rings in various substances (not just metal) that are better than either silver or white gold.

Ohthatsabitshit · 19/09/2023 20:57

Muslim men wear silver rings.

Insommmmnia · 19/09/2023 20:59

My husband has titanium I have platinum. It didn't even occur to me that they should match

If your husband has a hands on job I would highly reccomend getting him a supply of silicone ring bands for work if he wants to wear a ring there. My DH is an engineer and wears these as they are far safer

FuzzyPuffling · 19/09/2023 21:02

I have a silver wedding ring and it is absolutely fine and undamaged after many years.
An advantage is that you can polish it and it comes up like brand new.

MiddleClassProblem · 19/09/2023 21:03

DH has palladium and I have white gold. I was advised to as it would get damaged if I had a harder metal. Having said that neither of us wear our rings unless we are going for a do. Our rings are the same style/design though so look pretty identical other than size.

I wouldn’t worry about the done thing but as advice in what you should get so it doesn’t damage your engagement ring if wearing them together.

CasperGutman · 19/09/2023 21:15

My wife has platinum and I wanted a white metal with a similar appearance but a lower price so went for palladium. This was a fraction of the price of platinum at the time, though I'm not sure how prices have shifted since.

I'd look for a metal that doesn't corrode or need recoating periodically. Either of these is a PITA and for me seemed to undermine the permanence/eternity symbolism of the wedding ring.

Flip