Your wedding and engagement rings are the most special and valuable pieces of jewellery you own. They have both financial and sentimental value, the latter of which is more important to you than their monetary worth.
But after the thrill of the engagement or the drama of the ‘Big Day’, your wedding and engagement rings are a permanent part of your everyday life. So they need to be capable of coping with all the knocks, bumps, oopsies and scrapes your hands are subjected to every single day. You need a durable wedding ring and practical engagement rings that can withstand the hardships of everyday life without losing their lustre, glamour, or beauty.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most durable wedding band materials, including some that might surprise you, as well as engagement ring gemstones that are tough enough to cope with continuous wear. We’ll introduce you to the Mohs scale and provide you with some tips on choosing a durable wedding ring or engagement ring, as well as answer a few of your most common questions. If you want a wedding or engagement ring that’ll last a lifetime, here’s the inside information on picking the perfect ring that will deliver on both looks and longevity.
Why does durability matter for engagement and wedding rings?
There are very few pieces of jewellery you wear all day, every day, but wedding and engagement rings are often the exception. Once they’re on your finger, they rarely come off. So, they have to be tough enough to withstand the constant impacts, scratches, immersion in water, gardening, and other activities your hands encounter every day. Practical engagement rings and durable wedding rings can cope with all this and still look as good as new with a simple wipe of a soft cloth, with the occasional deeper clean to restore their brilliance and lustre.
When evaluating durability, we must consider all components of a ring, including the band itself and any gemstones or embellishments.
What makes a wedding ring or engagement ring durable?
When we talk about a ring being ‘durable’, it covers several factors. Primarily, it means that the ring is resistant to scratches or impacts. Nearly all metals are susceptible to scratching, especially softer metals like high-carat gold (above 14carat) and silver. However, gold is less prone to tarnishing (depending on the gold content) and can be easily polished.
Durability can also relate to the level of maintenance required to keep the ring looking its best, as well as the fragility or propensity for breakage of the ring. For example, a ceramic ring is incredibly scratch-resistant, but can be damaged or even cracked and broken by sudden shocks such as being dropped onto a hard floor. The durability of a ring will depend on the type of material you choose.
The design also has to be taken into account. A simple band is a solid unit, with no extremities that could be vulnerable to snagging or catching. In contrast, a more elaborate design (for example, a solitaire engagement ring) features individual parts of the design that are slightly more exposed than an unadorned band. In the case of a solitaire design, the prongs that hold the stone in place, while extremely robust, are technically the design’s weakest point.
For gemstones, durability will be linked to their position on the Mohs scale of hardness (which we’ll go into in more detail in a minute). The higher the Mohs score, the harder the material and the more durable it is, all the way up to diamond. Again, though, that comes with a proviso, as some stones may be more susceptible to damage through moisture, even if they have a reasonably hard Mohs rating.
Reasons to buy a durable ring over a less durable option
Jewellery is all about adornment, expressing our personality, and feeling good wearing something visually beautiful. However, for jewellery like wedding and engagement rings that are worn daily, they also need to be functional and long-lasting.
If you’re active and play sports, your rings need to be able to keep up with your lifestyle. Our advice is always to take off jewellery if you’re going to play sports like rugby or swimming. If you do decide to keep your jewellery on, then you will need to consider more durable options that can resist submersion in water or those muddy knocks on the playing field.
If you work with your hands, for example, as a gardener or vehicle mechanic, your jewellery is subjected to dirt and contaminants like oil, petrol, and aggressive solvents. Durability is essential in these situations, where the risk of damage is significantly higher. Some alternatives are robust enough to withstand everyday wear without compromising their visual appeal, even if you spend all day in a machine shop and your evenings digging in the garden.
The most durable ring band materials
We’ve discussed the importance of durability, but what are the available options? Let’s examine the most durable wedding band materials and practical engagement rings crafted from stronger, more resilient materials.
Tungsten – There’s a reason tungsten is extensively used in engineering – it’s one of the toughest materials on the planet. This dark, heavy metal is also used in jewellery for making the strongest wedding bands. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a masculine design, but be aware that while it’s scratch-resistant and doesn’t tarnish, it can be brittle and prone to chipping. That means a tungsten band is impossible to resize, so you must get your sizing exactly right before buying a tungsten wedding band. It’s very affordable compared to precious metals, is low maintenance, and is approximately four times harder than titanium.
Titanium – Strong, incredibly lightweight, and with a beautiful lustre, titanium has become increasingly popular for the most durable wedding bands. If you don’t often wear jewellery and are not used to wearing a ring all day, every day, it’s a great option and incredibly comfortable. Titanium is tough, easy to maintain, highly affordable, and hypoallergenic.
However, like tungsten, a titanium ring cannot be resized. Therefore, it is essential to determine the correct ring size before making a purchase. If the ring does develop a titanium oxide coating, it can be easily polished back to its former glory. Titanium is three times stronger than silver and is also stronger than steel, so this is one ring that will genuinely last a lifetime.
Platinum – First gaining popularity in the Art Deco period, this luxurious metal is now well established as a premium quality addition to any jewellery collection. With a higher price tag and a warm, deep lustre, platinum has proven to be particularly well-liked for creating exquisite and durable engagement rings and wedding rings. Unlike other metals, when scratched, you’re not actually removing any material, merely ‘moving’ it. A professional polish can easily restore a platinum ring to like-new condition, with no loss of material. It’s durable and hypoallergenic, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin. It does come with a higher price tag, but the quality is well worth the cost.
Palladium – Valuable and elegant, palladium is an unusual choice for wedding bands, yet thanks to its exclusivity and inherent strength, it is both tough and beautiful. It’s an extremely lightweight metal that’s also hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. While it’s similar to platinum, it’s not quite as costly, making it an excellent luxury choice. However, it is scarce, which increases its value, and jewellers may be reluctant to resize or repair palladium rings.
Steel – It doesn’t get much tougher than steel, with 316 stainless steel now increasingly used for fine jewellery. Super-hard, hypoallergenic, and corrosion-resistant, stainless steel is an affordable and durable choice for wedding bands, especially for men. The development of patterned steel jewellery, such as Damascus designs, also adds real visual impact, making them popular with people looking for something a little different. Steel can tolerate continuous wear and is impervious to moisture and damp conditions. It’s easy to care for, and any scratches can be easily polished out.
Ceramic – Ceramic rings are a new addition to the jewellery scene. With similar properties to titanium, ceramic rings are a big trend in jewellery right now, offering stylish and affordable alternatives to traditional rings. They’re hypoallergenic, highly scratch-resistant, and strong. However, many ceramic rings – particularly black ceramic – are made from titanium carbide, which does tend to make them brittle. It is easy to crack or break a ceramic ring if it’s dropped onto a hard surface, so you do need to be a little careful.
Silicone bands – If you don’t want to wear your wedding ring but want something on your finger that’s easy to wear, lightweight, and very affordable, silicone wedding bands are a great alternative. They’re especially good if you work in an engineering environment or outdoors. They’re surprisingly tough, but will degrade over time. The good part is that they’re so affordable, you can replace them with a new ring whenever you want.
An overview of the Mohs scale – How can we use it to determine ring stone toughness?
The Mohs scale, named after its inventor Friedrich Mohs, is a simple yet highly effective system of ranking the hardness of minerals. It ranges from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest) and is the ability for one mineral to scratch or visibly mark the surface of another. At the top of the scale is diamond (10), which is one of the most complex substances known to man. At the bottom is talc (1), with all other minerals ranking between the two.
The Mohs scale can be easily used to work out the hardness of a gemstone, indicating how durable it is likely to be. Diamonds and moissanite are the most resistant to everyday wear, followed by gems such as sapphire, rubies and emeralds.
The most durable ring stone materials
Once you’ve selected the most durable wedding band material, it’s time to look at the embellishments. In most cases, especially for engagement rings, that will typically include a diamond or two. But there are plenty of other durable ring stones and gems to choose from that are gorgeous to look at and surprisingly tough.
Diamond – 10 on the Mohs scale and the hardest substance (with a few new exceptions) known to man. Stuffed full of meaning and the most highly prized of all gemstones, diamonds are tough enough to cope with anything. The development of man-made diamonds has made them increasingly affordable, too.
Moissanite – A sparkling and gorgeous alternative to diamonds, moissanite is both affordable and of high quality. Rare in their natural state, many moissanites are now lab-produced, delivering sparkling beauty at a more affordable price point. As for hardness, it rates 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the hardest gems available and a perfect choice for durable engagement rings or ornate wedding bands.
Sapphire – Rated 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphires don’t just come in blue. Look out for pink sapphires, which are highly sought after and an unusual inclusion in a durable engagement ring, where beauty is combined with longevity.
Rubies – Also rated 9 on the Mohs scale, rubies tend to go in and out of fashion for rings. They can range in colour from deep blood-red to pale pink, depending on their origins. Rubies with fewer inclusions command the highest prices.
Aquamarine – The ethereal hue of aquamarine has made it a highly popular addition to engagement rings in recent years, and with a hardness rating of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, it’s both tough and beautiful. It particularly suits lozenge-cut facets and pairs well with the soft lustre of platinum.
Tourmaline – With a similar hardness to aquamarine, tourmaline is a stunning gem that comes in a rainbow of colours and is also known as the ‘Chameleon gem’. Its oil-slick-like colours make it a fascinating addition to an engagement ring.
Tips for choosing a durable wedding or engagement ring
Budget – in this look at the most durable wedding rings and engagement rings, we’ve suggested a range of different options to suit all budgets. From a silicone band that’ll set you back less than £20 to a diamond-encrusted platinum ring worth thousands, you can pay as much or as little as you want. Newer options, such as Damascus steel, titanium, and tungsten, provide affordable alternatives to high-end rings made from platinum or rare materials like palladium.
Comfort fit – Materials like titanium and ceramic offer all-day comfort that is so lightweight it barely feels like you’re wearing anything at all. If you prefer the weight and ‘feel’ of a ring, a heavier material such as tungsten or stainless steel is a better choice for a long-lasting wedding band, especially for men.
Thick or thin – The width of your wedding band can have a significant impact on its comfort. However, a thinner band may be susceptible to damage and distortion if it’s knocked hard. A thinner band may be a more budget-friendly option if you’re looking for a premium metal without a higher price tag. Thicker bands feel more comfortable for some and are more durable in the long term.
Plain or adorned – A plain, durable wedding ring or engagement ring is less likely to suffer any damage, apart from the occasional scratch, which should be relatively easy to polish out.
FAQs
Are durable rings more expensive than others?
Not necessarily. A gorgeously patterned Damascus steel wedding band is incredibly tough and much more affordable than the equivalent ring in gold or platinum. There’s a huge price range for durable wedding and engagement bands to suit every pocket.
Which ring metals are the hardest to resize?
Brittle materials, such as tungsten and ceramic (made from tungsten carbide), are impossible to resize, while rarer metals like palladium are regarded as hard to work with by many jewellers. To avoid the worry of resizing, get your ring size accurately measured before you buy.
Insure your wedding ring and engagement ring with TH March
For over 120 years, TH March has been providing bespoke insurance to protect the things that are most valuable to you. Our Jewellery Insurance cover is specifically designed to give you total peace of mind, whether you’ve paid £100 or £10,000 for that forever ring. With personalised ring insurance that understands the value each piece holds for you, we take the worry out of jewellery insurance. Find out more by browsing our Ring Insurance page online, or call us and talk to one of our team for more information today.