At the mention of an engagement or wedding ring, you wouldn’t blame anyone for picturing an extravagant diamond or gemstone worth more than the value of some couple’s combined bank account balances. As it goes, some might ‘ooh and ahh,’ when they ask how much it’s worth and adds,
‘He must really love you,’, as though this defines the value of one’s love. While on the other hand, someone might simply gasp under their breath and mumble, ‘God help them if it’s not insured!’
Irrespective of these polar reactions, in both situations the underlying expectations are the same
But given the rising cost of living, the challenge facing many young couples being unable to afford their own home (and when they do break into the real estate market for the first time, it will most likely be with a mortgage they’ll carry to their grave), and the seemingly exorbitant lengths (and expenses) some people are willing to go to in order to create the wedding of their dreams, are these expectations for the cost of a ring reasonable?
It should come as no surprise then, that modern couples are looking at alternatives.
This is where silicone wedding rings have entered the scene. While in some cases, they simply act as an everyday alternative rather than a complete replacement, it is safe to say that brides and grooms will find these alternative centerpieces more than just affordable.
Here’s why you may want to consider these silicone rubber alternatives over (or in addition to) a conventional wedding ring.
Made From Medical-grade, Hypoallergenic Silicone
Metal allergies are known to affect about 15% of jewelry wearers; with wedding ring dermatitis becoming the most common of the allergic reactions. But now thanks to these silicone bands, ring wearers will no longer have to put up with the harsh allergic reactions triggered by rings having alloys of Nickel, Copper or Lead. With silicone rubber rings, wearers are promised a product that is fully chemically inert with no allergenic or carcinogenic properties present. You could say it is a perfectly bio-compatible product.
Adjust to Swelling
Anyone who has ever worn a ring or wedding band for a considerable amount of time is familiar with the intermittent swelling that accompanies having an ill-fitting ring for more than just a minute. This becomes worse if the body is undergoing intense physiological changes brought about by either pregnancy or a terminal illness. And unfortunately, replacing a metal or metal alloy ring with another one will not often reduce ring avulsion injuries. If you are experiencing or predisposed to these symptoms (such in the case for expectant mothers or people with diabetes and arthritis), a silicone wedding band may be a great temporary solution. The silicone can actually adjust to swelling to fit the wearer’s finger perfectly.
A Worry-free Alternative When Traveling
We all know that rings serve as a reminder of the continuum steadfast nature of the commitment couples have in a marital relationship. And failing to wear it, in some exceptional circumstances, often circles back to a sign of infidelity or non-commitment and attract some rather unwanted attention. Especially if you’re in the care-free environment travel often provides. Then there’s the burdensome worry of traveling or going on vacation with the fear of losing or misplacing these precious and sentimental rings.
So how does one travel with their precious and expensive ring? Here’s the secret–you don’t. You leave the expensive one safe at home and wear a silicone rubber ring instead.
Electrically Non-Conductive
Standard rings usually come in gold, silver or other types of conductive metals. While all these metal rings look beautiful and attractive, they often pose a considerable danger to some professionals that dable with high voltage electrical systems and machinery. Rather than put yourself in such a predicament, silicone rings offer a new level of protection as they remain non-conductive and heat resistant. Career trajectories that intersect in fields such as medical services, construction, police, mechanics, military personnel, cooks and firefighting, make the perfect use cases for these silicone bands.
Perfect for the Outdoor Junkie
These silicone rings are also ideal for individuals that love an active physical lifestyle. We are talking about athletes, skiers, surfers, race car drivers, campers, rock-climbers and hikers. You can also include snowboarders, motorcyclists and other adventure sports enthusiasts in this adrenaline-drenched active lifestyle list. Rather than having to remove and pocket your ring each time you are out-and-about getting your heartbeat racing, these silicone rings offer a much more comfortable and safer option. They’ll prevent your heartbeat racing unnecessarily from losing your 18 karat gold ring.
Temperature and Pressure Tolerance
Silicone rings are made from a flexible silicone material that breaks away from your finger if put under too much stress. However, the breaking under pressure is only to avoid the potentially damaging effects brought about by ring avulsion as observed while using standard metal rings. ROQ estimates their silicone bands have a tensile strength of 608 Psi on average, with a breaking point of 19.65 lbs. of force. What’
Extremely Affordable
We all know wedding rings don’t come cheap. Gold and diamond wedding bands can set you back thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars. Money which most of us average joes don’t have just sitting around. A UK survey of 2000 men reported one in four had lost their wedding ring at some point within the course of the union. Misplacing conventional rings can quickly become quite an expensive bad habit!
On the other side of the spectrum, silicone rings are incredibly affordable–a piece averaging a cost of just $10. The solution? Save the sentimental ring for special occassions, and sport a silicone ring for day to day wear.
