While the traditional mens wedding rings with the gold and diamonds are beautiful and many couples still love to get them, many are choosing to go with something that is more flexible and durable to wear at their jobs. Gold is a great material for a ring, but it is not durable in high-heat levels or other intense work situations. Two of the best alternative options to choose from are nylon or silicone wedding rings.
Nylon and silicone wedding rings are made out of different materials, but the look and feel almost the same. A silicone wedding ring is more durable and there are more options to choose from. A nylon wedding ring is a good option if you need to keep costs down low.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between silicone and nylon wedding rings and why you will choose to use each one.
Firstly, Exactly what is Nylon?
Nylon is a type of synthetic fabric made out of petroleum products. It was originally developed as an alternative to silk in the 1930s, but has become more widely available over the years.
Nylon is valuable because it is strong, durable, light in weight, and does not damage easy. When it is used in wedding rings, it can also be easily dyed so you can choose the color and design of your liking.
Today, this is one of the most common polymer products used around the world. It is easy to make and versatile, which makes it the second most used fiber around.
What is Silicone?
Silicone is another type of synthetic polymer. It is a material that is designed out of smaller and repeating chemical units that are known as monomers which bond together in longer chains. It also has a silicon-oxygen backbone with some sidechains that help make it strong. It is the sidechains that make it so the silicone in the ring will not react with other chemicals or even stick to anything else.
Because silicone is easy to manufacture, it is used in a variety of different industries. It is not uncommon to see it in the automotive fields, electronics, textiles, personal care, and in wedding rings to name a few.
There are even a few different types of silicone out there that can make it more versatile. The silicone that is used in your wedding ring, for example, is not the same type that is used for automotive parts. However, all of them are strong and can last a long time.
What are the Differences Between Silicone and Nylon Rings?
Silicone and nylon rings are very similar. Both are designed to be heat resistant, breathable, and will break when stretched so they come off in an emergency. They are also inexpensive compared to many other options for wedding rings, with more personalization options.
These rings will not have the diamonds and gold that traditional wedding rings do, but most consumers who buy them do so for this exact reason. They want a ring that can handle daily life and hard work rather than a big diamond they have to worry about losing or breaking.
When shopping for a ring, you have many options. But deciding between a nylon wedding ring and a silicone wedding ring can be difficult. To help you understand the differences, we compared them below.
The Price of Silicone vs Nylon Rings
Nylon wedding rings are going to be less expensive than silicone wedding rings. Keep in mind though that silicone rings, even the ones that are personalized for you, are not that expensive either so both are budget-friendly options.
If you really need to save money on the ring you purchase, then choose a nylon wedding ring. They still look nice and are durable, though are not quite the same quality as you find with silicone bands.
The Durability of Silicone vs Nylon Rings
A silicone ring is going to be more durable than a nylon wedding band. The silicone is designed to be stronger and last longer than its counterpart.
For those who plan to wear the ring each day, especially at work, then the silicone ring is probably the best option to choose. However, if you only plan to wear the ring occasionally, then you will be fine with a nylon wedding ring.
Ability to Break
Both of these rings are easy to break when put under pressure or stretched out. That is part of their appeal. In some lines of work, having a ring that stays solid and will not break can be dangerous and may risk the loss of a finger or the hand, or at least breaking them.
Silicone and nylon rings are going to break when they are pulled on or stretched too much. This may make it seem like the material is lower-quality than some traditional rings, but with a lower price tag, this is to be expected.
If the ring gets stuck or caught on something, the ability for it to break after a little stretching is ideal. In construction, manufacturing, and other industries, this is exactly what the consumer is looking for.
Heat Resistant
Both of these rings are great for resisting heat. They will not melt or bend like the gold or silver in traditional rings. This keeps them strong for as long as you want to keep them.
For those who work in a plant or who are firefighters or work somewhere else with intense changes in heat, the nylon or silicone ring may be the best. They will not get ruined due to the higher heat and can still last a long time.
Styles Available
If you want more choices in styles in your wedding ring, then the silicone rings are the best option. Because these are so popular, more styles have been designed to reach more customers.
Since more people are dropping the traditional wedding ring, nylon rings are growing in popularity as well. There are many more choices in styles and designs than before, but for the most choices, the silicone ring is better.
Choosing the Right Wedding Ring for You
Both nylon and silicone wedding rings are perfect choices for a unique wedding band that can handle all the hard work you do each day. Most individuals choose a silicone ring because it is affordable and the most durable out of the two options. Overall, it comes down to your preferences and finding the style you like.
