Deciding on the perfect metal for your engagement and wedding rings is more than just a matter of style—it's about comfort, durability, and values. Whether you're drawn to the classic allure of gold or the sleek charm of platinum, understanding your options ensures your rings are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
Choosing the Right Metal for Your Engagement and Wedding Rings
Deciding on the perfect metal for your engagement and wedding rings is more than just a matter of style—it's about comfort, durability, and values. Whether you're drawn to the classic allure of gold or the sleek charm of platinum, understanding your options ensures your rings are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
What Type of Metal is Best for Engagement Rings?
When it comes to selecting the best metal for engagement rings, the choice often boils down to personal preference and lifestyle needs. Gold and platinum are the frontrunners due to their durability and timeless appeal. For those looking for the best metal for engagement rings, consider how each metal complements your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
Should an Engagement Ring be Gold or Silver?
When deciding on the metal for your engagement ring, consider how different metals complement your skin tone. Gold, with its warm hues, enhances warmer skin tones beautifully, while silver-coloured metals, known for their cool hues, may be more flattering on cooler skin tones.
However, it's important to note that while silver might appeal due to its striking colour, it is typically not used for engagement and wedding rings as it is quite soft and less durable than other metals. For those who prefer a silver-coloured ring, alternatives like platinum, palladium, or white gold are excellent choices. These metals offer the sleek, silver appearance while providing the strength and longevity needed for everyday wear.
Can I Have a Gold and Platinum Engagement Ring?
Yes, you can certainly opt for an engagement ring that combines both gold and platinum. This choice is particularly popular among clients who desire a gold ring paired with a white diamond. In such cases, I often recommend crafting the diamond's setting in platinum. This approach uses platinum's stunning white colour, which enhances the brilliance of the diamond, while also providing a strong and durable setting to securely hold the diamond in place.
The band of the ring can be made from gold, which creates an elegant two-tone effect. This combination not only showcases the diamond beautifully but also adds a distinctive and sophisticated touch to the engagement ring. Such a design ensures your ring is not only visually striking but also functionally robust, making it a perfect symbol of your union.
Is 9ct or 18ct Gold Better?
When choosing gold for jewellery, it's important to understand that all gold used in jewellery is an alloy. An alloy is a blend of different metals combined to create the final product. In the case of 9ct gold, it consists of 37.5% pure gold, with the remainder made up of other metals selected for their colour and strength properties. 18ct gold contains 75% pure gold, complemented by 25% of other metals.
This composition means that 9ct gold actually contains a higher proportion of additional metals than it does actual gold. Due to its lower gold content, 9ct gold is not typically used in fine jewellery. Also, the higher proportion of other metals in 9ct gold can more frequently cause skin reactions in those with sensitive skin.
Because of these reasons, I strongly recommend opting for 18ct gold over 9ct gold when choosing the best metal for your engagement and wedding rings. The higher purity of 18ct gold not only enhances the jewellery’s overall aesthetic and feel but also reduces the likelihood of adverse skin reactions, making it a superior choice for such significant pieces.
Does My Wedding Ring Need to Be the Same Metal as My Engagement Ring?
It's generally advisable to match the metals of your wedding and engagement rings due to differences in metal hardness. For instance, if a platinum engagement ring is paired with a gold wedding ring, the harder platinum could gradually wear down the softer gold over time.
If you're drawn to the look of mixed metals, consider combining different colours of gold, such as white, yellow, or rose gold, ensuring they are the same carat. For example, an 18ct white gold engagement ring could be paired with an 18ct yellow gold wedding ring. This approach allows you to enjoy a mixed metal look while maintaining the integrity of both rings due to their similar hardness.
Why Avoid White Gold Engagement Rings?
If you're considering a white metal for your engagement ring, platinum is generally a superior option compared to white gold. Platinum is naturally white, meaning it retains its bright white appearance without the need for rhodium plating, which white gold requires to maintain its colour. Additionally, platinum is hypoallergenic and more durable than gold, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Moreover, despite popular belief, platinum can be more budget friendly than gold. In current market conditions, platinum is less expensive than gold, providing not only a high-quality ring but also better value for your money. Therefore, choosing platinum over white gold could be a wise decision both for its aesthetic and practical benefits.
Platinum or Palladium Wedding Rings?
When choosing between platinum and palladium for wedding rings, both metals have distinct advantages. Platinum is renowned for being one of the best metals for sensitive skin due to its purity and hypoallergenic properties. It is also exceptionally durable, resisting scratches and dents effectively, which makes it ideal for those looking for a ring that can withstand daily wear and tear. Additionally, platinum's naturally white sheen does not fade or tarnish over time, ensuring its everlasting appeal.
On the other hand, palladium is a great alternative, often chosen for being more cost-effective, especially in men’s wedding rings. As a member of the platinum family, palladium shares many of the same properties: it is naturally white and hypoallergenic. However, it is less dense than platinum, which means a ring made of palladium will be lighter. This, combined with lower current market prices, makes palladium a budget-friendly choice without compromising on quality or appearance.
Fairtrade Gold Wedding Rings
Opting for Fairtrade gold when selecting your wedding rings means choosing a source committed to promoting fair pricing, decent working conditions, and equitable trade terms for the miners and workers involved. Fairtrade gold is considered the best ethical metal choice for rings, as it guarantees that those mining the gold are compensated fairly and work in safe conditions. This ensures that your stunning ring is not only visually appealing but also a choice that supports social responsibility.
Although Fairtrade gold wedding rings look identical to other wedding rings, choosing them supports a greater cause. Every wedding ring at Poppy Elder Fine Jewellery is made in Birmingham’s famed Jewellery Quarter, however a Fairtrade Gold wedding ring doesn't just symbolise your love but also contributes positively to the community that mined the gold. By selecting these rings, you make a special purchase that has a direct beneficial impact on the lives of the miners and their communities.
Recycled Gold Wedding Rings
Recycled gold is another fantastic option for those interested in ethical wedding rings. Every gold wedding ring at Poppy Elder Fine Jewellery is crafted using recycled gold as standard. Using recycled materials reduces the demand for newly mined metals, decreasing the environmental and social impacts of mining. Opting for recycled gold can help lessen your ecological footprint while still giving you a gorgeous ring.
Ethical Wedding Rings
For those who value sustainability and ethical practices in their jewellery choices, there are several options to consider. Ethical wedding rings can be made from metals that are not only recycled but also sourced from mines with responsible environmental and labour practices. When shopping for your rings, look for certifications that guarantee the metal’s ethical sourcing.
So what’s the best metal to choose?
Choosing the right metal for your engagement and wedding rings involves balancing aesthetics, comfort, and ethics. Whether you prefer the rich hue of gold, the hypoallergenic properties of platinum, or the sustainable choice of recycled metals, your decision should reflect your personal style and values.
The key points I would take from this are:
If you are looking for a silver-coloured metal I would recommend choosing Platinum. Whereas if you would prefer the warmth of a golden colour you should opt for 18ct Gold.
Remember, the best ring for you is one that feels good to wear in every sense of the word!
