Valentine's Day Gifts for Him

While most buyers start their journey to buying 'their perfect engagement ring' by deciding on the center stone, sorting out the metal first proves to be a better idea. The metal is crucial in determining the ring's overall aesthetic and holds way more significance than just holding the center diamond in place.

Many believe the center stone's high quality and carat weight are the sole aspects impacting the ring cost, but that is not entirely true. The ring metal and its purity also significantly influence the sum of money you are about to shell out. Though several factors impact the final metal selection, choosing the one that conforms to your bride-to-be’s liking is paramount.

Which Metals Are Used in Engagement Rings?

The engagement and wedding rings can be cast in many precious and semi-precious metals. But, appearance is not the only criterion. You must know the strength and attributes of each of these metals to make an informed decision.

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PLATINUM ENGAGEMENT RINGS 

Platinum, with its sheen, strength, and everlasting appeal, is the most coveted metal for a fairy tale engagement ring. As the rarest metal on the planet, it, undoubtedly, is a luxe choice. Compared to gold, platinum is 30 times rarer and purer in its form when used in jewelry. It is a robust metal with high density that guards precious stones well, handles scratches, and resists wear and tear. It is also naturally hypoallergenic, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. The silvery hue of platinum is its natural color, so it needs no re-plating. You may want to give it a polish every 5 to 7 years to get a fresh glaze, but that's just a choice, not a necessity. If your partner has an active lifestyle and is always on the go, platinum is the metal for her.

However, we understand that the price of platinum could be a little over what most of us might have saved for the proposal. This is where the white gold steps in as your knight in shining armor – literally and metaphorically. For a comparative understanding, let's get into the details of the different variants of gold metal.

WHITE GOLD

It is impossible to ignore the classy appeal of white gold. It rose to eminence among jewelry enthusiasts as an alternative to platinum during the war years when platinum was reserved only to make war supplies. The metal has stood the test of time and is one of the most popular and preferred ring metals. With fine polish and an intricate ring design, white gold measures up to the grandeur of platinum.

White gold is curated by mixing yellow gold with alloys like nickel and silver. The gold to alloy proportions in 18k and 14k white gold are the same as those in 18k and 14k yellow gold. To ace the silvery-white appearance, the jeweler gives the ring a rhodium polish that makes it look exactly like platinum. Though white gold is relatively affordable, it may need regular rhodium polishing as the whiteness of the rhodium is likely to wear off with time.

YELLOW GOLD

A yellow gold engagement ring will hit the right preference chords if your woman prefers warmer tones and is traditionally inclined. The warm patina of yellow gold is the natural color of the metal, so there are no risks of losing its color even with regular wear. Time-honored designs like a solitaire secured with four or six prongs look stunning in yellow gold. Being a relatively softer metal, it can achieve intricate designs with perfection. If you want your ring to replicate the glory of the Victorian era, a yellow gold ring is an ideal choice.

ROSE GOLD

The charming hue of rose gold is ideal for the hopelessly romantic soul. It fascinates damsels seeking the warm assurance of love combined with feminine elegance in their ring. The pinkish color of rose gold results from alloying yellow gold with copper and a bit of silver. The rose gold is also a complementing metal for women with a natural pink undertone in their complexion. Unlike white gold, rose gold needs no rhodium plating. It is a durable metal available in both 18k and 14k gold variants. Over the years, rose gold engagement rings have gained immense popularity for their vintage appeal, especially for unique engagement ring designs like split shank, three stone, and bypass settings.

PALLADIUM

While platinum and gold are the most sought-after metals for engagement rings, palladium also has its patrons. Rhodium, platinum, and palladium belong to the platinum family of metals and hence, bear resemblance. Palladium is a pleasing alternative - other than white gold – to platinum. Like platinum, palladium also has a natural white tone and glossy finish. It is highly durable and resistant to scratches. Unlike platinum, palladium is very lightweight. Being almost as rare as platinum, palladium, too, is on the higher side of the price tag. A palladium ring is far more expensive than a gold or silver ring.

Should the Wedding and Engagement Rings Be of the Same Metal?

Ideally, yes. It is highly suggested that engagement and wedding rings are made of the same metal and harbor similar properties. When you wear them together, these rings often rub against each other. With the same strength and durability levels, the chances of one denting or scratching the other decline considerably. Regardless of the care and maintenance, the metals will eventually wear thin over years of usage. If you choose the same metal, the wear and tear will happen evenly and won’t look odd. Also, metals like platinum and white gold look almost identical when looked at separately. But when worn together, the slight differences in their appearance owing to different compositions become quite evident. Having said that, you may play with different karats of the same metal for both rings; maybe an engagement ring in 14k gold worn with an 18k gold wedding band.

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Which Engagement Ring Metal is the Most Long-Lasting?

The brilliance and longevity of your engagement ring depend on many factors like climate, usage, lifestyle, and maintenance. For the ring to dazzle as new forever, taking good care of the diamonds and the ring metal is essential. Platinum is a low-maintenance metal for its high durability and natural color; gold also fares pretty well.

The metal quality of gold varies depending on the karat value. 24k gold is too soft to be molded into jewelry. It is mixed with alloys like zinc, copper, and nickel to make it sturdy enough for wear. Most gold jewelry featuring diamonds is crafted in 18k or 14k gold. Do not opt for lesser karat gold jewelry than this to ensure it looks impeccable for decades to come.

How Does the Center Diamond Affect the Choice of Engagement Ring Metal?

The brilliant white glow of diamonds is versatile and teams beautifully with all metals when put together in a ring. However, for exceptional D-F color quality diamonds, white tone metals like platinum and white gold are highly suggested. The pristine hue of the metal highlights the sparkle and brilliance of the diamond without reflecting any undesired color into it. A rose or yellow gold metal would add a tinge of refractive color to the diamond, marring its seamless beauty. If you are more inclined to the traditional and vintage yellow and rose gold metals, you can choose a diamond with slight inclusions and G-J color quality.

Some believe that a ring in white metal, with white gold prongs holding the center diamond, makes the stone look much bigger. This is definitely true for solitaire and three-stone settings. 

For those fond of colored diamonds and gemstones, yellow and rose gold are better choices as engagement ring metals. Their color adds to the hue of the diamond and further accentuates the glam.

Engagement Rings in Different Metals at Gabriel & Co.

We pride ourselves on our rich and lavish collection of engagement rings. The rings are passionately designed, keeping profound emotions in mind. All the designs are customizable for metal color and gold karat, either 18k or 14k, to suit individual preferences.

#1 Engagement Rings in White Gold

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These elegant 14k white gold rings highlight the round-cut diamond at the center. They have a minimal appearance that captures the heart with their graceful beauty. The four white gold prongs in the first ring put the center diamond in the spotlight. The slim shank is covered with petite round-cut diamonds. The second ring features a unique halo setting around the center diamond, lending a distinctive charm to its design. The design would have looked slightly out there in yellow gold, but the refinement of the white gold does absolute justice to it. Both rings, boasting a 1-carat diamond at the center, still do not dig too deep into the pockets because of the white gold metal. The same rings are much pricier when crafted in platinum.

#2 Engagement Rings in Rose Gold

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For women who are die-hard lovers of a solitaire setting and fascinated with the old-world vintage charm, these 14k rose gold engagement rings are enchanting. The solitaire design never goes out of fashion. Both the rings present a comparative visual between a ring with a plain shank vs. an embellished shank. The first ring is perfect if sleek and understated is your go-to style. If you prefer a tinge of glamour and sparkle, choose the second ring speckled with 6.5 mm stones in a swirling pavé design. It is the romantic lushness of the rose gold metal that makes them so special. These rings are a great pick for the man not very sure of his woman's taste in jewelry. Any woman will love an engagement ring as gorgeous as these. 

#3 Engagement Rings in Yellow Gold

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A stream of diamonds sparkles throughout the golden frame of these exotic engagement rings. The grandeur of these aristocratic rings makes them apt for a woman who is a true achiever in life. Whether it’s the studded shank or the twisted one, these delightful rings remain unbeatably fashionable for years after the day the question is popped.

#4 Engagement Rings in Two-Tone Metals

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It is a smart choice to select two-tone rings for your proposal as they are much in vogue. It can either be a yellow-white gold combination or rose and white gold. These rings look unique and stunning on their own. But they are also great for the brides to style with their wedding rings. She can choose her wedding ring in either of the metals featured in these rings. With two metals, they break the color monotony when worn together or stacked with other rings from her jewelry wardrobe.

#5 Engagement Rings in Platinum

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Stacking Rings

The rare metal looks ravishing and grand in its appearance. "Elegance doesn't need to shout" and the statement holds absolute truth for platinum engagement rings. The first ring showcases an oval center diamond encircled with a halo of shining diamonds. With the shank bejeweled with diamonds, the ring has a subtle yet royal demeanor. The ring is expensive, but the stunning and dignified beauty makes it a timeless possession. The second ring has the most popular round cut diamond in the center, with contrasting marquise diamonds beautifully enhancing the scalloped platinum shank. The ring's handcrafted engravings and milgrain borders speak of the Victorian influences behind its design. Both the rings are marvelous and an exceptional choice for any bride-to-be. Due to their neutral color scheme, they blend effortlessly with the wearer's dressing style.

We hope you now have a fair idea of the engagement ring metal to pick for your proposal. Love has a language of its own. We are sure no one understands your partner's preferences and tastes better than you. Over the time of knowing her, you must have realized the kind of engagement ring that she dreams about. Pick a ring that resonates with her personality and reflects your fine taste. After all, you expect her to love the ring and also compliment you for your brilliant selection. Discover exquisite engagement rings in precious metals at Gabriel & Co. We know your special love story deserves an extraordinary engagement ring!

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