It is a time-honored classic. Sleek and unadorned - or complemented by gemstones - the 14k gold wedding band is always a good choice.

Gold has been revered by many civilizations throughout history. Its beauty is sought-after and coveted, holding an almost mystical status in many societies.

Valuable, pure, and rare. Gold is the standard by which other metals are measured, one of the Earth's most prized gifts.

Giving a gold ring to your betrothed signifies the high value you place on their love. It shows that they are most prized to you, above mere possessions. When you place a golden ring around your love's finger, you are saying that you place them in the highest of regard and that you will continue to do so forever.

An unbroken circle of shining gold to represent the endless nature of true love, the gold wedding ring speaks volumes without its giver or receiver having to utter a word. A golden wedding ring is the embodiment of the ethereal and ongoing love that exists between lifemates.

Aside from being a little easier on the pocketbook than 18-karat or 24-karat, there are advantages of choosing a 14k gold wedding band.

14-karat gold is much harder than 18 or 24k, and is therefore more durable and hardy. A wedding ring is not a piece of jewelery that will only be worn on special occasions; it will likely be worn every day for many years. Softer gold is better suited for more occasional pieces that can be stored away and kept safe.

Also, I would personally rather wear a ring that is on the less malleable side as I'd prefer it to be as resistant to crushing and such as possible. On those lines, I know a man whose very life was saved by his 14-karat wedding ring when it caught on a railing and kept him from falling several feet. His finger was cut a bit by the whole incident, and the doctor he saw told him a softer gold would likely have sliced further through his finger (possibly even all the way!) or broken under his weight.

Beauty and brawn. Definitely a winning combination.

For whatever reasons you may choose to use a 14k gold ring to symbolize your love, you won't be lacking for options. There are simply too many styles to list here.

Pink gold, yellow gold, white gold. Those are just a few options to choose from regarding the looks of your wedding band. Inlays, engravings - whatever you can imagine can likely be achieved. Jewelers can usually create a piece around your taste and budget.

Make sure to look around thoroughly before making any purchases, checking multiple sites for prices and - most importantly - to make sure you find the perfect wedding ring.

Below are some especially nice options (with pretty good prices if you ask me!) from Amazon to get you started. Take note of which styles appeal most to you, and then comparison shop.

Happy hunting and best wishes for a beautiful married life!