What’s the best metal for a ring?
Know your rose from your yellow gold? This handy engagement ring metal breakdown will help you get a handle on the available choices.
Platinum
Platinum is an extremely popular choice for engagement and wedding rings alike - and with good reason. This metal is rare, tough-wearing (rings made of platinum are usually around 95% pure), and has a beautiful white finish.
·   Quite expensive
·   Heavy but durable: ideal protection for the precious centre stone
·   Naturally hypoallergenic, and doesn’t easily tarnish
·   Platinum’s white finish means it won’t reflect a tint on your colourless (D, E, F) or nearly-colourless (G, H, I , J) diamond.
WHY SHE'LL LOVE IT
·   It’s the most prestigious of the precious metals
·   Looks high-end, has a clean finish
·   Offsets her diamond perfectly.
White Gold
If you want that white finish but platinum is a bit out of your budget, white gold is an affordable alternative. White gold is a mixture of different alloys (Fine Gold, Copper, Sliver and Palladium). It’s certainly not as rare as platinum, but it’s widely available and currently more popular than yellow gold.
·   Eventually, the rhodium coating will wear away but is easily and affordably replaced
·   Best suited for colourless (D, E, F) or nearly-colourless (G, H, I , J) stones as it’ll complement the stone’s white shine.
WHY SHE'LL LOVE IT
·   It has a high-end feel and beautiful finish
·   Won’t contrast or detract from her diamond
·   Complements fair or rosy skin tones.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is a classic choice for engagement and and wedding rings, especially vintage-style rings. Like white gold, it’s widely available and easy for jewellers to work with.
·   It can be quite soft and not as durable as platinum or white gold (lower karat = more durable)
·   Not entirely hypoallergenic
·   A good choice for lower colour grade diamonds (K, L) as it offsets the diamond’s yellow tint.
WHY SHE'LL LOVE IT
·   A classic and romantic choice (yellow gold represents fidelity)
·   Complements classic and vintage-style rings
·   Suits olive and darker skin tones.
Rose Gold
Rose gold is definitely having a moment in the fashion spotlight! This super feminine, blush-tinted gold owes its covetable hue to the addition of copper alloy. Symbolising love, rose gold is the perfect choice for the fashion-forward bride.
·   Not hypoallergenic
·   A good choice for lower colour grade diamonds (K, L) as it offsets the diamond’s yellow tint.
WHY SHE'LL LOVE IT
·   Considered to be the most romantic of all the metals
·   It’s simply gorgeous to look at!
·   Suits nearly every skin tone.
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Understanding karat
If you decide to use gold for your engagement ring, you’ll need to make a decision on karat. Karat is the measurement unit used to denote a metal’s gold content. Not to be confused with carat (the unit used to measure the weight of diamonds and other precious gems), the karat of your metal reflects its purity and, in most cases, its value. The higher the karat, the more valuable your gold.
Yellow gold jewellery is most commonly available in 18 karat (18k) and 14 karat (14k). While 24 karat (24k) is considered to be pure gold, it is often too soft to use in jewellery. For this reason, the karat ‘sweet spot’ is usually 18k. 18K gold is 75% gold + 25% other metal (copper, silver, or palladium).
KARAT AT A GLANCE.
24 karat: 100% pure gold
18 karat = 75% gold
14 karat = 58.3% gold
