Photo: Gift Habeshaw/Unsplash
You’re spoilt with choices when it comes to buying a diamond ring for your beloved. Be it the shape of the diamond, its facets or the type of metal in the band, every ring is different as chalk from cheese. Nevertheless, it’s the band that complements the central stone and should be chosen accordingly.
Most of us prefer gold as the base metal for our engagement rings, as it has been so since time immemorial. Resembling the powerful rays of the Sun, gold was used by Egyptians and Sumerians alike for carving beautiful, shiny ornaments. However, platinum is also widely preferred as the band metal because of its soothing appeal and sophisticated beauty.
Here, we’re going to give you a list of options for selecting the band metal of diamond rings so that you can pick the right one for your engagement.
Platinum vs. White Gold
Platinum is naturally white, giving a sense of peace and serenity to the ring. If you want the central rock on the diamond ring to grab maximum attention without compromising on quality or sophistication, platinum is the right choice of band for you. However, platinum can be pretty expensive compared to white gold that looks almost the same but differs in composition.
It’s an alloy of gold, with metals like silver and palladium giving strength and the characteristic white shine to the band. Rings made of white-gold are generally coated with another durable metal, rhodium, for its beautiful, luminous glow. You can always replace this plating, in case it wears off later.
Photo: Jeremy Bishop/Unsplash
It’s needless to say that platinum scores higher than white gold in terms of quality and durability. As your engagement ring is a one-time investment, opting for a platinum band should be wiser.
Yellow Gold vs. Rose Gold
As a metal, pure gold is soft and malleable, rendering it unsuitable for use in jewelry. It is combined with other metals to create alloys of different colors and compositions. Yellow gold is an alloy of copper and zinc or silver in some cases.
You can find yellow gold bands of 10-18 karat (K), denoting the amount of pure gold present in these alloys. While the color of a yellow gold band depicts the amount of pure gold, its durability depends on the amount of alloy in it. For example, a 10K gold band will be more durable but appear less golden than an 18K band and vice versa.
On the other hand, rose gold (formerly known as Russian gold) is made up of alloys like copper and silver in varying amounts. In most bands, the gold and copper ratio is 75% and 22.5% respectively and the rest is silver, giving the band its characteristic rosy hue.
Photo: Jackie Tsang/Unsplash If your beloved is into unconventional yet trendy styles, pick a suitable rock from the amazing varieties of rose gold engagement rings available online. These bands look best in artistic, vintage settings and can also be combined with white and yellow gold to create a multi-colored appearance.
Wondering if rose gold will be a good choice for your engagement ring? Get an idea about some of the amazing benefits it offers:
- It’s suitable for both men and women’s rings, so there will be consistency
- The pinkish hue looks more romantic than the conventional yellowish color
- More affordable than yellow gold
- Copper in the alloy ensures high durability
- Looks good on all types of skin tones
White Gold vs. Yellow Gold
Do you want a lustrous white or a moonlight shine on the band of the ring? The choice is easy. However, if you love both and are confused over selecting one, you’ve to delve into the details to make the best bet.
As mentioned before, white gold is comprised of strong, white metals like zinc, nickel, and silver, while yellow gold is an alloy of mainly copper and zinc (or silver). You should keep the complexion of the bride in mind to pick a band that accentuates her appearance. Besides the difference in their tones, yellow gold is less allergic than white gold, which, however, is more durable.
Final words
If you’ve already taken the responsibility of choosing the perfect rock for your beloved, you should do some digging on the different types of metals that the bands are made of. While platinum and gold are the two main choices you have, you can also opt for varieties depending upon their appearance. Hence, you should research a little before buying an engagement ring that stands out.
