Choose the metal

Selecting the best metal for an engagement ring and wedding band is a very important part of the ring-design process. It will affect the overall look and feel of the ring and play a part in it’s value and long-term care requirements. Choosing between white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum is greatly a matter of preference, but budget and intrinsic factors may play a role as well. To help you make your decision, let’s compare the pros and cons of the various types of engagement ring metals.

Gold

Its timeless, classic beauty and richness make Gold the most popular metal for jewelry. Pure gold is 24 karats. Because it is a soft metal in its natural state, pure gold is combined with other metals to create a harder, more durable alloy and to alter its color to create white, rose, or yellow shades. At Mint Diamonds, we prefer to use 14 or 18 karat gold in our jewelry, for their durability and elegance.

Although it is sometimes more expensive than Platinum per ounce, Gold  is a less expensive alternative for an engagement ring due to its lighter density.

White Gold

This precious metal has a modern appeal with a classic look. It’s bright white color seems to blend into the brilliance of diamonds, making the presence of metal subtle and allowing the diamonds center stage.

White gold is an incredibly popular choice for engagement rings, as it has the overall look of platinum, but is notably less expensive. It is an ideal choice for those that want to compliment and enhance the brilliance and sparkle of the center and accent stones.

To give it that highly sought after bright sheen, white gold rings are plated with rhodium. Over time, rhodium plating will wear away and need replacing every 12-18 months to maintain its luster and radiance. Platinum rings, on the other hand, don’t require the same level of maintenance due to its natural white color.

Yellow Gold

Gold is yellow in its naturally occurring state, making yellow gold a traditional and timeless choice. It’s appealing richness and powerful aesthetic gives it a fresh appearance that works in all styles of engagement rings and jewelry. And as one of the most resistant metal choices, is will not rust, tarnish or corrode, retaining its beautiful golden glow for generations.

Intensely colored gemstones seem to be more vibrant in the presence of the golden hues of yellow gold, and it has the ability to pull out the richness in precious gemstones like emeralds, rubies or blue sapphires. But don’t be afraid to set brilliant white diamonds in yellow gold, as the contrast and pureness of the two natural colors is exquisite.

Yellow Gold will eternally endure in our hearts, evoking thoughts of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and Kings and Queens alike. It’s timeless appeal and resilient qualities make it a wonderful choice for any jewelry design.

Rose Gold

For those with a tasteful appetite for something a little off the beaten path, rose gold offers a variety of beautiful options. It is a wonderfully versatile alloy that complements colored gemstones, while also emitting a warm and romantic hue when paired with classic white diamonds. We especially love setting pink diamonds or sapphires in rose gold, by itself or around a white diamond center stone, for an absolutely stunning and unique engagement ring.

A mix of yellow gold, silver and copper give rose gold its signature pink color, while also providing it the strength and durability required for proper strength and peace of mind. It is this pink color that also makes it a great choice for every skin tone. Wearers will forever enjoy the mesmerizing glow emitted from this iconic metal, designed for beauty, strength and style.

If you plan to wear other jewelry in addition to your engagement ring, rose gold is an excellent choice. Like a well-mannered puppy, it plays well with others and will likely match the other white or yellow gold accessories you wear regularly.  

We can’t get enough of this gorgeous alloy and look forward to really making it stand out if you choose to use it in your design.

Platinum

Luxury and purity come to mind when describing platinum. It is one of the world’s rarest metals and is 10 to 30 times more rare than gold. If you’re looking for a metal that is both exclusive and beautiful, look no further. One of its most fascinating aspects is its ability to restrict the reflection of color, which allows the scintillation of your center stone to take center stage.

With a cool white sheen, platinum radiates opulence. It commands a premium price point both for its rarity and its density, as it will weigh significantly more than an identical gold setting. On the other hand, it may be one of the most economical metal choices, given that less polishing is likely to be required over time - buffing cloths do not remove any layers of this metal, unlike gold, and some say it gets better with age, thanks to its stunning patina that develops over time. As if it wasn’t fantastic enough already, platinum is nickel-free and hypoallergenic, and does not tarnish, allowing it to be worn every day with comfort and ease.