Handcrafted Silver Rings Can They be Worn as Wedding Bands

When you think of wedding bands, you might think that gold is the only way to go, but the truth is that handmade silver rings have been around for hundreds of years. Although gold is more durable than silver and is a thicker metal, silver is just as viable for wedding bands. Silver is a light metal and the only metal used to make wedding bands that's lighter is palladium. Gold, silver, platinum and palladium are all considered precious metals.

Because handcrafted silver rings are made out of a softer material than gold or platinum, they can be more easily customized with complex shapes, designs and carvings. And in this case, handmade silver rings would be a great option. If you're going to go with a silver ring, you should take advantage of all the benefits. So instead of going to the store and picking out a pre-made ring, you can get an expert designer to personalize silver rings for you and your future spouse. And also be open to the designer's ideas; you might inspire them to create beautiful handcrafted silver rings with designs you hadn't considered.

Wedding bands and silver jewelry in general, are made of sterling silver instead of fine silver. Fine silver is too soft to make functional items. Sterling silver is fine silver mixed with copper, which makes it a much more durable metal. Also, sterling silver wedding rings are often treated with a coating of fine silver to give them a shinier finish (also called rhodium). Sterling silver wedding rings can also be plated with rhodium, which does not last as long as the fine silver plating. If you're wary, always inspect the number engraved on the inside and make sure it says .925 which is the universal stamp for authentic sterling silver jewelry.

Aside from the options for customization, sterling silver is a good choice for wedding bands because they are more affordable than gold or platinum; especially these days when the cost of gold is at record highs. But they do come with extra care responsibilities. Because sterling silver contains copper, it tarnishes and should be cleaned by a professional on a regular basis. For general cleaning, hot soapy water does the trick. Also, because sterling silver is softer and less durable than gold, wedding bands - which tend to be worn everyday - should be removed when performing activities that would cause the ring to bend or scratch. Keep in mind, though, that bends and scratches may be able to be repaired by a jeweler.