Your wedding ring will be one of the most important pieces of jewelry you will wear in your life, and because of this, choosing the right kind of metal is crucial. Depending on your personality, lifestyle and personal taste, the metal you choose can be just as important as the style of the ring and the cut of stone(s).
Below, please find some tips from the experts at jewelry retailer, Berricle.com, that will help you to determine the best type of metal to choose when it comes to selecting your wedding ring.
14K and 18K gold
The “K” in 14K gold refers to “karat”, a measurement which is used to describe the purity of gold in jewelry. Karats, measured in units of 24, indicate the amount of gold as a percentage of the total. For example, 24 karat gold is 100% pure gold. 14 karat gold, standard in American jewelry industry, is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metal(s), which is 58.5% pure gold. 18 karat gold, standard in European jewelry industry, is 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metal(s), which is 75% pure gold. In karated gold, there is a balance of metals in the non-gold percentage called alloys. Additional metals enhance properties such as cast ability, hardness, corrosion resistance, color, workability, ultimate strength, etc. These enhancements are meant to improve the properties of the precious metals. Pure gold and other precious metals can often be too soft for most jewelry styles.
Yellow Gold and White Gold
In yellow gold, the most commonly used alloy metals are copper, silver and zinc. In white gold, besides copper and zinc, extra white metals such as nickel, manganese and palladium have to be added in order to get the silver-grayish color. Palladium and nickel act as primary bleaching agents for gold to dominate the color, creating the warm gray tone. Also, white gold is usually plated with rhodium to give the same look as platinum, but eventually the rhodium will wear off and the white gold will take on a yellow cast. White gold jewelry needs to be rhodium-plated every few years to maintain its whiteness.
Why to choose this metal: Yellow and white gold are traditional, popular and widely available. Although rings made of yellow gold may show scratches and other abrasions, repairs and maintenance are easy.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is the whitest of all the metals. 100% fine silver is too soft for most jewelry applications. Sterling silver is a mixture of 92.5% silver and 7.5% metal alloy, and the standard quality stamp is 925 which indicate 92.5% purity. The same way rhodium plating is used for white gold, sterling silver is plated with rhodium to enhance surface reflection and protect tarnishing. Tarnishing occurs when silver reacts with sulfur in the air. Wool, rubber band, some type of paints and gloves made of latex are some household items which contain sulfur. By using method of rhodium plating and proper care, sterling silver jewelry can last for a few years without tarnishing while maintaining a polished shiny look.
Why to choose this metal: Sterling silver jewelry has become a popular trend. The price is very affordable, and with rhodium plating it gives the look and shine of platinum or white gold. With careful maintenance, sterling silver jewelry can last for many years to come.
Platinum
Platinum is considered to be the “most precious” of all precious metals, costs more than gold and is rarer than gold. It’s usually mixed with other similar metals, known as the platinum group metals: iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium and ruthenium. Platinum is extremely dense and much heavier than gold or silver. Platinum has remarkably high level of durability so it does not wear or tarnish like other metals, but its white appearance without regular cleaning can develop hazy patina over time. Platinum is not susceptible to problems like stress cracking or corrosion as it can be the case with white gold. Though platinum is scratch-resistant, it’s not scratch proof. It is more durable than white gold and does not wear down or abrade like gold. Scratches can easily be removed by buffing, and all that is required to maintain platinum is to soak it in mild soap and warm water followed by a gentle rubbing with a soft brush.
Why to choose this metal: Although platinum costs more, it requires less maintenance over time.
Palladium
Palladium is also a member in the platinum family. It has similar characteristics of platinum, such as high melting temperature, cool gray color, durability and rarity; however, it is much less dense (lower specific gravity). Palladium is a soft silver-white metal that resembles platinum.
Why to choose this metal: In order to save money on the metal and spend more on a stone, choosing palladium is the best option for you. It is also naturally hypoallergenic and durable, so it is ideal for people who have sensitive skin.
With so many different styles to choose from, you may want to switch your ring style for appropriate occasion.
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