The ring setting is as much important as the type of gemstone you choose for your engagement ring. It is, after all, the very foundation on which your gemstone will rest for a long time to come. The setting can be fashioned out of metals like platinum, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, palladium etc. Each of them is endowed with their own unique features which make one different from the other. The metal choice and the design of the setting greatly contribute to the beauty of the ring as a whole. They are responsible for bringing out the best from the chosen gemstone. Let us take a look at what the white gold has to offer and what makes it a good choice for unique engagement rings.
Firstly, there is no such thing as ‘pure white gold’ The silvery white color as we see in white gold is attained either by mixing it with yellow gold or when alloyed with some white metals like nickel, manganese, silver or palladium. Many a times, it is coated in rhodium which gives it a white and shiny look. Over time the whiteness of the white gold fades and that is when it needs to be taken to a jeweler who will help regain the whiteness via a process called rhodium plating. It is an inexpensive process and many jewelers even offer this service for free.
White gold is measured in karats and the popular markings are 24k, 18k, 14k and 9k. While the 24k gold is 100% gold and is too soft for use in jewelry, the 18 k gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals, whereas the 14k gold is an alloy of 58% gold and 42% other metals. The percentage of these metals are responsible for the hardness and color of the jewelry.
The several Advantages of White Gold Engagement Rings
Though white gold may not be as durable as other metals like platinum, it still has several advantages which makes it a great choice for many types of jewelry:
- The first advantage is that, white gold is much lower in price than the other metals. This gives the couples ample scope to spend more on better quality gemstones or more intricate ring settings. The cost of white gold can be as little as one-fourth the price of platinum or other metal.
- White gold is lighter in weight than platinum. It is also more durable than some of the pure or yellow gold.
- White gold is scratch resistant. One can easily maintain a flawless appearance of the ring even under the most gruesome activities.
- White gold beautifully highlights the beauty and brilliance of diamonds and other gemstones.
- It is a versatile metal and complements nearly all types of jewelry pieces.
- The rhodium plating is said to provide the whitest finish of all. Though rhodium-plating wears off and one needs to re-apply it, yet the inexpensive and easy procedure is hardly a matter of concern.
