If you’re preparing to purchase an engagement or wedding ring you’ve more than likely thought about the type of metal you wish to wear. If you haven’t and are unsure why the type of metal you pick is important, here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Top Types of Metals for Jewellery
Gold
Gold is one of the most common choices when purchasing jewellery; it’s a metal that can be altered in shape without ever breaking, making gold a very durable choice for a piece of jewellery you’re both going to be wearing everyday for a long time.
Pure gold however, cannot be used for jewellery as it’s simply too soft, this is why Gold is mixed with other metals to ensure its stronger and durable. Pure gold is split into 24 parts and is measured in Karats, so if you came across a ring that was 24 karat gold, each part is completely made from gold.
You won’t however find a ring on the market completely made from 24 karat, but it’s helpful thought to know when browsing jewellery, as you may see a ring that is 18 karat or 14 karat gold, this tells us that out of the 24, 18 or 14 parts of that are made from gold. The remaining parts which can be made from other substances such as copper, silver, zinc and nickel, are used to improve the strength and durability of the piece.
Yellow Gold
This particular style of gold is a classic and popular choice as its warm tones made from copper and silver are timeless and work well with diamonds and other warm coloured gemstones. Yellow gold also stays true to its colour over time but just like most jewellery it will still require a good clean every now and then to remove any dirt.
Say I do!
- A popular, timeless choice and looks beautiful when engraved
- Keeps its colour over time
- Perfect if you love warm, rich tones
Giving You Cold Feet?
- Overall is less durable than platinum
- Over time yellow gold can become worn down and becomes thinner
White Gold
If you’re not a fan of yellow gold, white gold is still durable and is made using copper, zinc and nickel or palladium to create the silver exterior. Choosing white gold can even save you money if you’re after something similar to platinum but much more cost effective. White gold does however, turn slightly yellow over time and will require a trip to your jewellers to be rhodium plated.
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- This metal goes with any colour gemstones, especially sparkling diamonds
- More cost effective than platinum
- Variety – there are various different styles and designs made with White Gold
Giving You Cold Feet?
- Expected to turn yellow over time, back to its original colour (Can be fixed)
- Double check to see if you’re allergic to the alloys used within White Gold
Rose Gold
A romantic choice of metal and somewhere in between Yellow and White gold in terms of colour, so if you’re looking for warm tones but also want something that is modern and stylish, rose gold is the one for you. It has become a very popular choice of metal and is the perfect partner for Diamonds.
The pink hue in rose gold is created by combining yellow gold with a copper alloy – the more copper added the redder the ring will become. Don’t forget about the Karat system, although the ring can appear redder with more copper, depending on how much gold is used within the piece the ‘rose colour’ can appear lighter.
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- The beautiful pink hue of Rose Gold is simply gorgeous to admire
- More durable than Yellow and White gold (Not as much as platinum)
- Perfect if you’re after something vintage / antique inspired
Giving You Cold Feet?
- Like white gold, double check you’re not allergic to copper
- Not as many designs available like yellow and white gold
Palladium
Not to be confused with Platinum (We’ll get to that later) Palladium is a white metal that’s durable and has started to become a popular choice for men’s jewellery. Due to its low density, it’s much lighter in weight, however it can feel less substantial compared to gold and platinum. Don’t let that put you off; it’s a very durable metal that is said to last a lifetime.
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- Unlikely to give you an allergic reaction
- The exterior doesn’t tarnish
- Due to the durability, Palladium will remain white forever
- More cost effective than Platinum
Giving You Cold Feet?
- Designs and styles may be limited
Platinum
Known for its durability, Platinum will last a lifetime and has become a very popular choice for engagement and wedding rings. It is however, expensive due to its rarity and density. Purchasing your wedding or engagement ring in Platinum is an investment, but a good one, as it will rarely need any further work, such as fixtures or having to be polished.
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- Extremely durable
- Will rarely require any work in the future
- The exterior colour will never fade
- Hypoallergenic
Giving You Cold Feet?
- Is more on the pricier side than 18 karat gold but a worthwhile investment
What’s the difference between Platinum and Palladium?
Mainly the price, Palladium is much more cost effective when it comes to the first purchase and Platinum is pricier due to its rarity and density, this means if we were to create the same ring using both metals, we would have to use up to twice as much platinum than palladium – this also adds to the fact that Platinum is heavier. In terms of colour they are extremely close and are both naturally white, to be accurate Platinum is around 1 shade whiter than Palladium (if you were curious), however neither Platinum nor Palladium is rhodium plated, this is a positive as neither metals really require further maintenance.
Similarities
- Colour
- Hypoallergenic
- Neither require constant maintenance (Platinum rarely any at all)
- Strong metals that can be worn daily and remain durable over time
Differences
- Price
- Weight (This may contribute to the comfort of the ring)
Still Unsure?
If you really can’t decide which Metal will work for you, ask yourself some questions to help with your decision;
Q1: What Do You Do For Work?
Depending on your daily work, do you need a metal that can withstand daily wear and tear? Or can you get away with having a more delicate metal that will avoid harsh environments. If both of you do very different jobs, compromising on a metal each, may be a more cost effective way to ensure both jewellery pieces can be worn without the worry of having them damaged.
Q2: What’s Your Style?
This question is a little vague as you both may enjoy many jewellery styles, but which one really grabs your attention, which colour or metal can you enjoy wearing and looking at for time to come? This question can also fall into whether you prefer modern styles or vintage/antique types of jewellery.
Q3: What’s Your Budget?
Perhaps an obvious question, however you may not have a budget in mind, until you begin looking at rings and understand the price of certain styles and metals. So once you can confirm how much you’re happy to spend for an engagement / wedding ring you can begin to narrow down metal types and hopefully your search will be much easier.