Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds! No doubt the diamond is, well, the centerpiece of any wedding ring. But let’s not forget that there is something that is holding that ring in place. Historically, many materials and metals have been used in the construction of wedding rings but some have turned out to work better than others.

Over the centuries, there has been a real movement toward making wedding rings out of harder materials and metals. This makes a fair amount of sense, for a softer metal is more likely to become damaged or bent over time. For this reason, one’s selection of wedding ring needs to focus not just on the diamond, but on the metal of the ring as well.

Since you will be spending so much time with your wedding ring it, of course, makes sense that you find a ring that is constructed for an outstanding metal. There are numerous good choices on the market, but one the very best picks is definitely the metal palladium.

The reason that palladium is so popular with jewelers and jewelry designers is that palladium is quite hard, easy to work with and lighter than most other options. Palladium is lighter than platinum, for example, and significantly harder as well. Like gold, palladium can be worked into thin sheet, which can translate into wonderfully designed jewelry and rings of all sorts. In short, palladium has a good deal to offer anyone who is in the market for a wedding ring. Those seeking a durable ring that will last a lifetime would be well served by palladium.

The fact that palladium is like gold in that it can be worked into thin sheet also makes it an attractive pick for savvy and skilled ring designers. These designers know that palladium can be used to craft very strong and durable, yet thin and lightweight rings. Of course, these characteristics are the kind one would want in a ring that was to be worn for decades, such as a wedding ring.

There are many excellent metals that can be used when fashioning wedding rings, yet palladium is definitely a stand out and real contender. Its durability, hardness and the ease of which it can be worked with all combine to make it a fine choice for anyone considering a wedding ring designed to last.

Jenni Sybis is a wedding junkie who can never fill up on enough wedding cake, or wedding chat. Jenni blogs and writes about all things wedding related and she is currently working on her first wedding advice book. If you are a husband-to-be looking for the right wedding ring, feel free to ask Jenni for her suggestions and why she likes tungsten wedding bands.