Pro: Safer
There’s a reason why people who work with their hands don’t wear metal rings: they’re not safe. ER doctors can tell you what happens to sensitive fingers when rings get smashed. The only way to remove a metal ring that gets bent at the gym or work is to cut it off.
Silicone rings don’t break fingers when they snag on everyday objects and they are flexible enough that they never become stuck. They also stay comfortable if your fingers swell in the heat or from eating salty foods. Silicone doesn’t conduct heat or electricity, preventing kitchen and household accidents.
It’s also hypoallergenic, so the rings are gentle on even sensitive skin types. Unless you have a rare silicone allergy, you’re unlikely to have a reaction to this mild material.
Pro: Inexpensive
A 14k gold ring can be 10 times the price of a silicone ring. Even many of the gold-plated options that will turn your finger green inside of a year are more expensive. The low price lets you buy multiple rings while still saving money. If your silicone ring is ever lost or damaged, put on a backup without the stress of a major purchase. You’ll have another ring on your finger before you can even feel guilty.
In fact, they’re a great option even if you wear a traditional metal ring. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and wear a silicone ring on vacation, at work, or in the gym.
Pro: Versatile
Yellow gold bands tend to look mismatched when worn with silver jewelry, belt buckles, or cuff links. A black silicone ring looks classy and goes with any accessory color. You could even have more than one color to match with different outfits.
Con: Nontraditional
While some may regard this as a pro, ultra-traditional couples may prefer a more classic metal ring. Despite the clean lines of silicone, some people just want something shiny of their fingers. Certainly this doesn’t preclude the silicone backups mentioned above, it just means their primary rings will be gold.
Con: Breakable
While surprisingly durable, they’re not as hardy as metal. They’re UV-resistant with a lifetime guarantee, but they lack the strength of even soft metals such as gold and silver. This is the very trait that keeps your finger from being crushed by silicone in an accident. If you were hoping to pass your ring down through the generations, silicone is probably not your first choice.
Is Silicone Right for You?
Your ring, like your marriage, should be a reflection of who you are as a person. Practical people will appreciate the price and functionality of this material, but they’re not for everyone. Overall, silicone rings provide more options for people who don’t like or can’t wear traditional metals. Whatever ring you choose, you’re sure to love the results as long as you follow your heart.
