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June 30, 2020
The important criteria
14k, 18k, white, yellow, rose gold, platinum, ... What material for rings? Choosing the material for a wedding ring or engagement ring can be complicated. Especially if you have been less involved with jewelry so far. That's why we want to make it as easy as possible for you to find the best ring material with our guide to engagement and wedding ring materials. As always, we start with you. There are two possible criteria for ring material:
- Color and characteristics of the ring
- Design of the ring
Color and characteristics of the ring material
The colors yellow or rose necessarily lead to the material gold. The color white extends the possibilities to platinum. When choosing a ring color, keep in mind the match between your engagement and wedding ring. This doesn't necessarily mean the same color, but colors that match. Also remember that platinum is a stronger material than gold and can scratch the gold ring if the rings are worn together on one hand.
The colors yellow and rose
Choosing a ring made of yellow or rose gold leaves you with a choice of gold karat. Karat refers to the purity of the gold itself, with 24 karat being the purest because 24/24 parts of the ring are pure gold. So 18 karat (750) means that 18/24 parts or 75% are pure gold, while the rest is the alloy. So 14 karat (585) is 14/24 parts or 58.5% pure gold. Silver and copper, among others, are added in the alloy for the color and strength of the gold. The gold karat also has a direct effect on the hue of the ring. The purer the gold, the more intense the hue or color of the yellow will be. As explained in our guide to wedding rings , a lighter hue often goes better with a more beautiful hue. The following table gives you a good comparison of the possible options for choosing the appropriate gold karat.
When choosing a ring color, please note that rose gold and low karat gold can sometimes react on the skin. Especially if the alloy contains nickel, which our rings never contain. So be sure to ask about the alloy of your ring before buying if you are prone to allergies. There are people who are allergic to gold, but gold allergy is extremely rare. Alternatively, platinum is a safe option for you.
The color white
If white is your color, you have a choice between gold (14k, 18k) and platinum. This choice is of course a personal decision. However, in the table you will find the advantages and disadvantages of platinum and gold.
To sum up, we recommend platinum if you choose a white ring. Platinum is a harder material, it retains its white hue, and platinum is considered the rarest of the precious metals. However, this is a matter of taste. White gold might be the right choice for you if you want the ring to look worn later.
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The design
Engagement or wedding ring designs and materials go hand in hand. Ring designs require the right color, hardness or softness in tone to look their best. We're happy to help you choose a material that suits you for one of our designs. We can also design your dream ring from scratch. In either case, simply schedule a complimentary appointment with us. We also recommend our size guide if you need help finding your size.