The Growing Phenomenon of White Gold Wedding Rings

There are so many decisions involved in planning a wedding that it is hard to keep track. There’s the cake, the guest list, the church, and of course, the wedding ring. Many couples agonize over the various aspects of the jewelry that they will be wearing for the rest of their lives—what stone will they choose? What setting? What type of metal? Until most recently, the last question seemed to be the easiest one to answer. For many years, couples have stuck with the traditional gold wedding band, but many have strayed away from this mainstream metal and have chosen the more modern look of white gold wedding rings.

Fashionably White

White gold has only been used in jewelry since the 1920s, when it was developed as an alternative to platinum. Available in as many as 21 carats, white gold perfectly showcases diamonds and other gemstones. More modern-looking than other metals, white gold is especially popular among younger women.

Why White Gold?

Many couples have come to prefer the contemporary look of silver or platinum wedding rings over gold. Because white gold is mixture of pure gold and other metals, including silver, palladium, and nickel, the metal has a beautiful silvery-gold color, not unlike that of silver or platinum. Some couples who prefer the look of silver or platinum are reluctant to reject traditional gold, in which case white gold wedding rings provide the perfect alternative. Other couples choose white gold wedding rings because the material is sturdier than either silver or platinum. Still, more couples favor white gold because it is not as expensive as other metals, like platinum. Whatever the reason, white gold wedding rings have gained popularity among numerous contemporary couples.

Hidden Danger

Despite the beauty and practicality of white gold wedding rings, some hesitate to purchase them because of a common allergy that affects approximately twelve to fifteen percent of females. Nickel, one of the metals used in the white gold alloy to give it the silvery-white color, often causes a rash when in contact with the skin. Other women who wear white gold wedding rings observe a pale green ring around their finger when they remove the jewelry. Many countries in Europe, as well as Japan and China, have attempted to solve this problem by phasing out the use of white gold and by limiting the amount of nickel that can be used in jewelry. As a result, alternative forms of white gold, such as palladium white gold, have developed. Other countries, such as the United States, require that companies label their jewelry if they contain nickel. In spite of this issue, white gold continues to be a popular material throughout the world.

Choosing the metal for your wedding ring should no longer be one of those agonizing wedding decisions. Consider white gold wedding rings—not only are they practical, but their contemporary look is ideal for any modern day couple.