Selecting the most appropriate metal for an engagement ring is part of selecting any ring. The kind of metal also dictates the general outlook and determines the longevity, cost, and general care of the ring. The best metals for a diamond 0ring have various benefits, looks, and connotations. A choice can however be made that would keep the ring free from these evils hence keep shining for a long time as a symbol of your love.
In the following section, we discuss the types of metals used in rings and what makes them special. We also offer guidelines to enable you to choose which metal to use when you are putting on a ring.
Gold remains universally beloved and versatile. Besides being very soft for the jewellers to shape the setting, and hard to tarnish, gold complements gemstones and diamonds very well. Gold is a magnificent and eternal material to symbolise happy and opulent love. Pure gold is not suitable to be used in jewellery because the metal is relatively soft, and can quickly get scratched or dented. Therefore, it has to be combined with other metals to increase its hardness and toughness. As for the engagement rings, people use 9k, 14k, or 18k gold for this kind of jewellery.
Adding pure gold with other metals will affect the colour of the metal. If it comes to gold type, there is yellow gold, white gold and the unique and very fashionable, rose gold. Every type of gold brings a special feel to the ring and that makes it easy for a couple to express their love to one another.
Yellow Gold- Yellow gold is conventional, and provides a warm setting that intensifies the brilliance of diamonds. Even though it is one of the oldest metals in use when it comes to jewellery, yellow gold jewellery will never go out of fashion and can fit into different eras of dressing: from more vintage to modern cuts. When combined with skin, this shoe has a gold cast that would be suitable for any person. Yellow gold is available in 18k, 14k or 9k Yellow gold can contain 75% gold, combined with other alloy metals. It also depends on the purity of the gold in the ring, as for the depth of the colour.
White Gold- White gold is very popular at the moment and provides a more modern appearance which is appropriate for rings. It is produced by the process of mixing pure gold with white metals like palladium or nickel. The ring can also have a layer of rhodium for bright shine and harder wearing of the surface. Security white gold is slightly harder than yellow gold mainly because of the type of alloy used, it is also less prone to scratching. If there is a rhodium plating it tends to fade away over some time. It will require a re-plate to continue to maintain the bright white hue of the ring.
White gold versus platinum is another area of confusion people face especially when making wedding rings. Yet despite the similarities, white gold is cheaper, and therefore, is the option often preferred by buyers longing for the platinum look but who are unable to afford so high prices.
Rose Gold- Rose gold, or pink gold is a very appealing colour that gives a romantic look to rings. The warm colour is achieved through the addition of pure gold and slightly higher amounts of copper. More specifically, the deeper the rose colour the more copper was incorporated in the glass. However, while rose gold seems incredibly frail, it has immense strength that comes from copper. Compared to white or yellow gold, it is also cheaper and preferred by most brides and grooms today.
It matches most gemstones and suits all skin tones because, as I mentioned above, rose gold is a versatile shade. It especially, depends on the vintage styles and detailed patterns, bringing personal flavor to the ordinary styles of rings.
Platinum is highly sought after in most jewellery-making processes since it is difficult to be readily available and it is naturally silver in colour. Diamonds are particularly suitable for wedding rings because of their endurance and ‘naturally white, saturated colours that do not discolor over time.
The wear and tear and the scratch-resistant abilities of platinum mean that it is ideal for the busy person. This makes it a product that is friendly to the skin, especially for those who are allergic to most products in the market.
Sterling silver is relatively a soft metal and it gets easily scratched and turns tarnished as compared to other metals. But with the right care, its beauty will remain the same as or even greater than the day it was installed. General sterling silver ring cleaning together with periodic professional silver polishing is known to go a long way in keeping this form of jewellery in pristine condition.
As such, there is nothing more creative than getting mixed metal rings for those who want to be different. Interlocking two metals of the same type – white and yellow or platinum and rose gold brings a character you are only likely to behold in a love story. A wedding ring that is made from mixed metals fills the bill in this sector by not only being trendy and modern but also versatile. It can match another piece of jewellery of other metals and thus is suitable for those people who have large jewellery collections.
Selecting a beautiful engagement ring is the start of something new, and you wouldn’t want that to be less than perfect. It is a decision that involves passion and reason to put together a ring that represents your feelings towards your loved one. Starting with the design, the representation and the actual stone up to the metal used for the ring all play a part in its allure and significance. We highlight a few things to consider, to ensure that you choose the best metal for your engagement ring:
Durability- Durability is important because rings are accessories that people use daily and therefore require durability of the product.
Colour and Appearance- Yellow gold as an option has a classic and truly timeless look. Rose gold is the final touch of romance to your ring if you are a lover of the metal.
Price- Going to use platinum will cost more while using sterling silver will be cheaper. Gold, depending on the caratage of this metal, could be said to be at mid-range.
Sensitivities- Although there are affordable options of metals such as platinum, 18K gold, and white gold plated with rhodium are hypoallergenic.
Even though yellow gold is quite a hardy option, the beauty of it is that it doesn’t shine as bright as before over time. It can be polished and its cleanliness can be Gauged through the use of a mild cleaning solution. Yellow gold rings might need professional polishing at some time to eliminate scratches or dents that may accompany the daily use of the ring.
Rose gold needs cleaning and should be cleaned often. Rose gold can tarnish because of the presence of copper in it and become darker in the long run. The outer surface of a pair of shoes always has the potential of being returned to what can be termed as its natural pink glow with the help of a professional polish.
Also, it does not scratch as easily and holds its polish for a longer time than any other metal. But it can build up the skin, a natural layer of protection and skin over the years. If you would like yours to retain the shiny look, then you can get it polished by a professional to make the ring shiny again.
Sterling silver, as it is relatively cheap, should be properly cared for to avoid discoloration or tarnishing. It can be thus polished using a properly designed silver cleaning cloth to avoid damaging its shine. If the jewellery may be kept away from household chemicals, cosmetics and chlorinated water as they tend to speed up tarnishing. For thorough cleaning or when it comes to scratches, only professional services can be useful.
Some of the most common Q&A's
Wedding and engagement rings do not need to be made of the same metal. However, choosing the same metal ensures they wear at the same rate, which helps maintain the appearance of the set over time. It also presents a cohesive aesthetic, which many couples prefer.
Platinum is considered the strongest and most durable metal for rings. Its resistance to wear and tarnish makes it ideal for everyday jewellery like engagement rings. Despite its higher cost, many people consider the durability and lasting lustre of platinum to be worth the investment.
