The Engagement Ring – Which Metal Should You Choose?
One of the most important considerations for the engagement ring is the metal it is made from. That is because the metal will make up roughly 90% of the ring with the balance being the diamonds or other gems you choose to use. While there is a wide variety of metals used today for engagement rings, we will take a closer look at the four most common selections.
1 – PLATINUM
Platinum has a naturally lustrous silvery, white appearance. This makes it a beautiful looking metal plus since platinum is hypoallergenic, it is a favorite of many as a metal for jewelry. As for durability, platinum requires little in the way of maintenance. It is corrosion resistant and will not tarnish. It is also less malleable than gold. When you are looking at price, platinum is the most expensive of the precious metals. This is a direct relation to the stunning appearance and superior durability of the metal.
2 – 18K WHITE GOLD
If platinum is outside of your price range, 18k white gold may be a better choice for you. It has the same silvery, white appearance of platinum but if you have an allergy to nickel, you may want to avoid 18k white gold. White gold features rhodium plating which gives it durability but to keep the color looking its best it requires regular replating. Although white gold is more affordable than platinum, there is more maintenance required which may add to the overall cost.
3 – 18K ROSE GOLD
Made as an alloy of gold and copper, rose gold has a lustrous blush-pink tone. The copper component in rose gold lends its durability to the metal which means maintenance is not a factor. As for price, rose gold is less than platinum but is about the same price as white or yellow gold.
4 – 18K YELLOW GOLD
The rich hue that gold is famous for can be found in 18k yellow gold. The luster is described as beautiful and most gold rings are yellow gold. The durability of 18k yellow gold comes from the alloys that are added to strengthen the metal. That is because yellow gold is made up of 75% fine gold and 25% other alloys. They combine to create a metal that is suitable for everyday wear. Pricing puts yellow gold at an affordable choice next to platinum and near the same price of rose gold or white gold.
IN CONCLUSION
Your engagement ring should last forever and for that to happen, you have to be selective in the metal it is made from. The list above should help you choose the right metal for your engagement and matching wedding rings. Be sure to ask your jeweler for assistance as there are other metals used today for wedding rings. You may find one of them to be a better choice rather than the traditional selections of platinum, white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold.
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