What you need to know about silver wedding rings

Radiant silver wedding bands and sterling silver engagement rings have never gone out of style - even with the arrival of new wedding ring metals and materials of the last century.

Silver is a very soft and highly malleable metal, and pure silver is much too soft to craft into a wedding ring made to last. The best silver for wedding rings, by far, is sterling silver.

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver (by weight) alloyed with 7.5% copper.

Sterling silver wedding rings may be treated with a process called "flashing." During this process, the bands are plated with a thin coat of "fine" silver which is 99.999% pure silver to give the rings a finish with extra luster and shine. However, flashing will wear off relatively quickly on every day wear engagement rings or wedding bands.

Sterling silver engagement rings or weddings rings may also be treated with Rhodium Plate to increase durability and shine. Silver rings do not have to have rhodium plate, so couples can decide whether or not to renew the rhodium plate once it wears off.

Silver also has the highest electrical and heat conductivity of any known metal. This means that if a silver wedding band is exposed to heat it will quickly become hot - and for those who work in any capacities involving electricity, silver would probably not be a good metal to choose for a wedding ring.

Silver wedding bands are ideal for couples on a regular income. Of course, if your economy is sufficient, you can also choose other types of rings. like, diamond rings, sapphire rings, platinum rings and more.