Tag Archives: wedding bands

Zirconium: The Metal from the Moon (and beyond)

Zirconium is quickly becoming a popular choice for wedding rings due to it’s sleek appearance and hypoallergenic properties, but we have to ask…what actually is it?

In a galaxy far far away..

Zirconium is a lustrous silver-grey metal with extra-terrestrial origins. Although abundant in the Earth’s crust, zirconium has been discovered to be an important element in the makeup of S-type stars, the sun, meteorites, and lunar rocks! This universal metal has an incredibly high resistance to heat and corrosion and is used in not just in jewellery, but in nuclear reactors and space shuttle engines (oh my!).

It is a versatile metal, and beyond its natural silvery appearance we can manipulate its surface to create alluring and mysterious black zirconium, or add brilliant bursts of colour…

Black Zirconium

Heating natural zirconium slowly over several hours creates a hard coating of zirconium oxide. This layer is jet black in colour and takes on the feel of ceramic.

Black Zirconium vs Tungsten

The two metals are often compared as alternative choices for wedding bands. Although popular, tungsten is in fact an extremely brittle and heavy metal which makes impractical for the daily wear-and-tear that wedding rings endure.

Black zirconium on the other hand is shatterproof and much, much lighter. Also it is a more ductile and malleable metal, making it easier to work with and allowing for a wider range of designs!

Anodized Zirconium

Anodizing is an electrolytic process that alters the surface of the metal to create a colourful finish. To get a little bit scientific, it is the process of passing a direct current through an electrolytic solution to grow a layer of oxide on the metal. The end colour of the metal is determined by the thickness of the oxide (which is determined by the anodizing voltage). Anodizing zirconium generates an array of different colours without having to use dyes. With this process you can create beautiful and striking designs that will be the envy of all!

So…

If you’re looking for an alternative, hypoallergenic, durable, customisable, intergalactic, colourful, awe-inspiring wedding band, zirconium would definitely be our recommendation 🙂

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5 Top Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Band

They said yes!

After a few nervous weeks you popped the question and got the answer you were hoping for! The celebrations are in full swing and the champagne is flowing!

  • Perfect ring: check
  • Perfect proposal: check 
  • Perfect fiancée : check 

But now…

In this new exciting phase of wedding planning, between choosing a venue, flowers, food, drink, and trying to convince Uncle Barry that his *ahem* enthusiastic rendition of “Bat Out Of Hell” might not be the best choice for your first dance, wedding rings are often the last thing on the list.

Here are our 5 top tips on making sure you pick the perfect wedding bands and don’t have to say “I do” with the help of Haribo:

1. Set a budget & decide on style

9ct gold? 18ct gold? Platinum? Titanium? Zirconium? Diamonds? Gemstone? Thick? Thin? The first thing you have to do before you ask any questions is set a budget. The most affordable wedding bands will be usually be plain 9ct gold, titanium, or zirconium bands. Price will increase depending on metal, width, and extra embellishments such as diamonds or gemstones. How much you are wanting to spend on your wedding bands will dictate what style you will want to be looking at. After that – it’s all on you!

2. Consider your lifestyle

Don’t forget that your wedding band will be worn every day so it’s important to choose a ring that suits your lifestyle. If you work with your hands you will probably want to avoid any band that contains diamonds or gemstones to lower the risk of damage. If you’re the outdoors-type and frequently find yourself clinging to a rock or battling rapid waters, a solid, durable band in a metal like titanium or platinum is what you should look for. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin a hypoallergenic metal that is nickel-free is definitely a must! Palladium, platinum, titanium and zirconium all fall into this category, so choose a ring that you will love, and will love you back!

3. Get sized

As you will rarely take off your wedding band, it is imperative to size correctly to make sure you will be comfortable in all wind and weather. The best time to size your finger preferably around midday after your body has woken-up a bit (usually your fingers are more swollen in the morning), never immediately after exercise, and never when you are extremely cold, hot, or stressed. For regular bands, we recommend going to a jewellers to get the correct size or following an online guide such as this one. For comfort-fit bands that have rounded edges and a looser feel, we recommend requesting a set of test sizers from your jewellers to try on at home.

4. Make it personal

Your wedding band is the most important piece of jewellery you will wear so why not make it that extra bit special with a personalised message? Traditionally, wedding bands are engraved with a date or phrase that is meaningful for the two of you. Whether a song, poem, or inside joke, an inscription adds an extra something to cherish. Choose a quote together, or make it a surprise and let your fiancé choose for you!

5. To match or not to match? That is the question…

They say that opposites attract – maybe that’s the case for you and your fiancé . Maybe one of you likes classic styles and is leaning towards a gold or platinum band. Maybe the other likes shaking things up and has their heart set on a anodized zirconium ring. Although matching wedding bands are a popular way to go, there is no rule that says you have to choose the same style or metal. My advice if you can’t quite agree – embrace each other’s individuality and celebrate your differences! After all, it’s why you fell in love with them! You can always add that matching element with matching engravings. Just make sure to pick a wedding band that you and your partner will love!

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