Ceramic Wedding Rings – To Buy or Not to Buy? | Wedding KnowHow | CHURINGA WEDDING RINGS

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Contents

• What is Ceramic?
  A Quick Look
• Why Buy a Ceramic Wedding Band – the Pros
  • 1- Ceramic is Hard
  • 2- Ceramic is Affordable
  • 3- It’s Safe to Wear
  • 4- Ceramic Rings are Heat Resistant
  • 5- They’re Easy to Maintain
  • 6- Ceramic Ring Styles
  • 7- A Modern Option
• Reasons Not to Buy a Ceramic Wedding Band – the Cons
  • 1- Ceramic is Hard
  • 2- It’s Hard to Resize
  • 3- An Unknown Future
  • 4- They’re Not Expensive
  • 5- Some Limitations with Designs
• Is a Ceramic Wedding Ring for Me?

As people turn to more and unique ways to express themselves, it seems like wedding rings are being made out of every type of material imaginable, including paper. One material gaining popularity for wedding rings is ceramic. Ceramic has been around for centuries, but it’s use in wedding rings is much more recent.

While the word ceramic might scream ‘fragile’
this isn’t true. In reality, ceramic wedding bands are durable, unique and
beautiful. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about ceramic wedding
rings.

What is Ceramic?
A Quick Look

• The technical name for ceramic used to make jewery is titanium
  carbide. You know something’s strong when it’s got titanium in its
  name.
• Ceramic is sturdy and resistant to impact
• It has numerous industrial uses in technology,
  automotive and homeware industries, among others
• Improvements in technology has made ceramic even
  stronger and better in recent years
• Apart from rings, ceramic is used to create all other types
  of jewelry, such as bracelets, pendants and earrings
• It’s highly resistant to heat

Why Buy a Ceramic Wedding Band – the Pros

Here are the reasons to buy a ceramic wedding band:

1- Ceramic is Hard

While the general view might be that ceramic is fragile and easily
breakable, in reality, this is a tough, hard material that’s ideal for wedding
rings. Titanium carbide ranks 9 to 9.5 on the Mohs scale.

Ceramic is less brittle and harder than tungsten (the hardest metal used
in jewelry) and has a higher resistance to damage from direct impact than
stainless steel.

Why is this important?

Well, a wedding ring is a piece of jewelry that most people plan to wear
for the rest of their lives. Durability is an extremely important factor if you
want the ring to last you a lifetime. Also, if you lead an active lifestyle
where you use your hands a lot, a ceramic ring is ideal as it resists
scratching and withstands exposure.

2- Ceramic is Affordable

Traditional metals like gold and platinum can be costly and may not be
the best option if you’re on a budget. Ceramic, on the other hand, is much less
expensive than these metals, with prices ranging from around $50 to $400, with
most averaging $100 or less.

3- It’s Safe to Wear

Ceramic is safe to wear as it’s hypoallergenic and doesn’t contain any
allergens that could set off a skin reaction. Some people are sensitive to certain
types of metal and can have rashes and breakouts when exposed to such metal.
Because ceramic doesn’t contain common metal allergens like nickel, zinc or
cobalt, it’s safe and biocompatible.

4- Ceramic Rings are Heat Resistant

Having a heat resistant ring is a benefit if
you’re in hot water. Joking aside, while heat resistance doesn’t sound like
useful feature, it means that your ring will not be damaged if it’s washed with
hot water or has an accident somehow. Ceramic rings are also non-conductive, as
they have no metal component, making them safe for people who work with
electricity, in construction or other such fields of work.

5- They’re Easy to Maintain

Needless to say, ceramic rings are easy to
maintain as they don’t get scratched easily or accumulate grime. They also
don’t need replating or polishing, as some other metals do. Simply washing the
ring with soap and water will keep it shining and looking as new.

6- Ceramic Ring Styles

Because of their workability, ceramic is used
in a variety of ring styles and designs. They pair well with other metals and
come in a range of colors. While they’re typically smooth and reflective in
their finish, some designers work ceramic into hammered, matte, satin or
brushed textures, among others. Because ceramic is a unisex material and looks
gorgeous in both male and female rings, you can easily find a matching pair.

7- A Modern Option

While it’s not as popular as the traditional
ring types, ceramic is a modern, non-conventional wedding ring material. This
is perfect for someone who wants to make a statement or go off the beaten track
with their ring choice.

Reasons Not to Buy a Ceramic Wedding Band – the Cons

While ceramic has a lot going for it, there are a few cons that need to
be taken into account when deciding whether it’s the right option for you. Here
they are:

1- Ceramic is Hard

Yes this was a in our pros list, but it’s also a con depending on how
you look at it. When a material is so hard like ceramic, the chances of
shattering when subject to high impact is higher. It’s also more likely to chip
or fracture if it falls on a hard floor.

2- It’s Hard to Resize

Because of ceramic’s hardness and composition, resizing a ceramic ring
can be very difficult if not impossible. Most jeweler’s won’t undertake it and
many don’t have the skill or ability to.

This is important because over time, finger sizes tend to change with
age and weight. There’s a high chance that you’re ring could be too tight or
too loose in a few years’ time. With metals like platinum or gold, resizing is
quick and easy, but with ceramic, you may have to have the ring replaced.

3- An Unknown Future

Metals like platinum and gold are traditional and classic, having lasted
the test of time. You know that 50 years from now, they’ll still be worn and
still be in style. What about ceramic, though?

Because the material is only newly in use for wedding rings, there’s no
knowing if they’ll be in style down the track.

4- They’re Not Expensive

Ceramic rings don’t have monetary or resale value, unlike traditional
metals. They’re not an investment and don’t have liquidity. If these are
important factors to you, it’s best to opt for a different metal.

5- Some Limitations with Designs

Ceramic rings are harder to form into intricate designs. You won’t find
wrought ceramic rings or those with intricate gemstone and diamond pairings.
This makes ceramic rings somewhat restricted in terms of design. If you’re
thinking about having your ring custom made with an elaborate design, choose a
more workable metal.

Is a Ceramic Wedding Ring for Me?

Weighing the pros and cons above, it’s clear that there are a lot of
benefits that come with ceramic rings.

Choose a ceramic ring if you’re after an inexpensive, modern and stylish
ring. They’re also perfect for active lifestyles and easy maintenance.

However, don’t choose a ceramic ring if you want a traditional, classic
design that is softer, resizable and has more design options.

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