How to choose the right metals for your engagement ring and wedding ring.
There are a few options to choose - and sometimes it can seem a bit hard! First decide if you want a "white metal" look or a rose or "yellow" metal look or mixed metals. Plus, make sure you look at the care and cleaning options and things to consider when designing your engagement ring and wedding ring.
Platinum
One of my favourite metals to work with and a very popular choice when it comes to making an Engagement and Wedding ring.
For those wanting a "white" metal ring.
Platinum is a white metal and is more expensive than gold. It is long wearing and already exceptionally white, so it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold. It is a dense metal, so a platinum ring will feel slightly heavier on the hand than other options.
Platinum’s naturally white sheen will never fade or change color, and it accentuates the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond. Though it is the strongest of jewelry metals, platinum can incur a scratch and develop a patina of wear. The patina is considered by many to be a unique and often desirable attribute. However, the pre-patina shine and reflective luster can easily be revived by merely buffing it with a soft cloth. Platinum is a pure mental and naturally hypoallergenic, ideal for those with allergies to other metals.
For those wanting a "white" metal ring.
Platinum is a white metal and is more expensive than gold. It is long wearing and already exceptionally white, so it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold. It is a dense metal, so a platinum ring will feel slightly heavier on the hand than other options.
Platinum’s naturally white sheen will never fade or change color, and it accentuates the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond. Though it is the strongest of jewelry metals, platinum can incur a scratch and develop a patina of wear. The patina is considered by many to be a unique and often desirable attribute. However, the pre-patina shine and reflective luster can easily be revived by merely buffing it with a soft cloth. Platinum is a pure mental and naturally hypoallergenic, ideal for those with allergies to other metals.
Palladium
A possible choice for the budget aware - some the benefits of Platinum at the cost of Gold.
For those wanting a "white" ring.
It is naturally white, durable, lightweight, and resilient to discoloration. At 95% pure it doesn't require alloys or plating, and is known to be hypoallergenic like platinum. Palladium is lighter in weight than Platinum. Palladium is not suitable for all designs and is a more difficult metal to work with.
For those wanting a "white" ring.
It is naturally white, durable, lightweight, and resilient to discoloration. At 95% pure it doesn't require alloys or plating, and is known to be hypoallergenic like platinum. Palladium is lighter in weight than Platinum. Palladium is not suitable for all designs and is a more difficult metal to work with.
Gold
A traditional choice with lots of colour options.
Gold is one of the most common and desired metals and is the most popular for for men's or women's engagement and wedding rings. Pure gold is 24ct and is too soft for everyday wear so gold for jewellery usually comes in 9ct and 18ct values. The larger the carat, the higher the percentage of pure gold in the ring and the more expensive it will be. Gold is resistant to rust, tarnish, and corrosion. Although gold is very strong, it's also the most malleable of all precious metals.
Gold comes in a number of colours - the most common being yellow, white and rose. Yellow gold is the most popular color.
White gold is more expensive and will need regular maintenance - with 6-12 monthly rhodium plating to keep it shiny and white. White gold rings are plated in rhodium to enhance their white color (otherwise it will be a greyish colour) and to protect the gold below from wear and tear.
Black rhodium can also be used to make a striking black appearance that is extremely hard and strong.
Rose Gold has a beautiful pink hue that is created by using a copper alloy. The overall percentages of metal alloys is the same for rose gold as it is for yellow or white, there is just a different mixture in what alloys are used. Gold colours can be used all together to create a two-toned or three-toned effect.
Gold is one of the most common and desired metals and is the most popular for for men's or women's engagement and wedding rings. Pure gold is 24ct and is too soft for everyday wear so gold for jewellery usually comes in 9ct and 18ct values. The larger the carat, the higher the percentage of pure gold in the ring and the more expensive it will be. Gold is resistant to rust, tarnish, and corrosion. Although gold is very strong, it's also the most malleable of all precious metals.
Gold comes in a number of colours - the most common being yellow, white and rose. Yellow gold is the most popular color.
White gold is more expensive and will need regular maintenance - with 6-12 monthly rhodium plating to keep it shiny and white. White gold rings are plated in rhodium to enhance their white color (otherwise it will be a greyish colour) and to protect the gold below from wear and tear.
Black rhodium can also be used to make a striking black appearance that is extremely hard and strong.
Rose Gold has a beautiful pink hue that is created by using a copper alloy. The overall percentages of metal alloys is the same for rose gold as it is for yellow or white, there is just a different mixture in what alloys are used. Gold colours can be used all together to create a two-toned or three-toned effect.
Metal for Men's Rings
Titanium
Titanium is a natural element which has a silver-greyish-white color, however it can be heat-treated to give it a wonderful range of colours from green and yellow to blue and purple . Titanium is the hardest natural metal in the world and it is three times stronger than steel and much stronger than gold, silver and platinum and yet is very light weight. Pure titanium is also 100% hypoallergenic.
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten Carbide is a compound of tungsten and carbon that has a grey-white colour, similar to that of white gold or titanium. It is hard, heavy and durable. A tungsten carbide ring will stand up to any degree of wear and tear is the most scratch resistant of all the metals available for rings. It will always retain its bright, shiny luster as it has a permanent polish. Tungsten is less expensive than gold and platinum and is comparable in price to titanium.
Titanium and Tungsten
Because Titanum and Tungsten are so strong and durable they cannot be cut and re-soldered. This means that they cannot be hand-made (limiting the ring styles available) and they cannot be resized (if you gain or loose weight or pick the wrong size). They are both very strong, and more resistant to dents, dings and scratches compared to gold, silver and platinum, They are also less expensive than gold and platinum and are similarly priced with each other.
Titanium is a natural element which has a silver-greyish-white color, however it can be heat-treated to give it a wonderful range of colours from green and yellow to blue and purple . Titanium is the hardest natural metal in the world and it is three times stronger than steel and much stronger than gold, silver and platinum and yet is very light weight. Pure titanium is also 100% hypoallergenic.
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten Carbide is a compound of tungsten and carbon that has a grey-white colour, similar to that of white gold or titanium. It is hard, heavy and durable. A tungsten carbide ring will stand up to any degree of wear and tear is the most scratch resistant of all the metals available for rings. It will always retain its bright, shiny luster as it has a permanent polish. Tungsten is less expensive than gold and platinum and is comparable in price to titanium.
Titanium and Tungsten
Because Titanum and Tungsten are so strong and durable they cannot be cut and re-soldered. This means that they cannot be hand-made (limiting the ring styles available) and they cannot be resized (if you gain or loose weight or pick the wrong size). They are both very strong, and more resistant to dents, dings and scratches compared to gold, silver and platinum, They are also less expensive than gold and platinum and are similarly priced with each other.
Silver
Sterling silver (0.925) is a very popular "white" metal - and is much cheaper than than gold, titanium, tungsten and platinum. However, silver is also much softer than these metals and will ding and scratch. It is also prone to oxidisation, sometimes causing the silver to turn black, however there are now non-oxidising sterling silvers available. Because of these reasons I do not recommend silver as an option for an engagement ring or a wedding ring - unless you are wanting a temporary ring whilst you design your own together or whilst saving for the ring you really want.