When shopping for an engagement ring, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is determining which precious metal you’d like the ring to be made of. Since an engagement ring is typically worn most of the day, every day, you’re going to want to select a metal that will stand up to everyday wear and will protect any gemstones set in the ring. That’s why we recommend one of these four metals for your engagement ring.

• Yellow Gold: If you’re after a classic look for your engagement ring, yellow gold is the metal for you. While this precious metal looks good on everyone, it especially complements those with darker skin tones. One benefit of yellow gold is that if you were hoping to save some money and purchase a lower color grade diamond, you won’t notice the yellowish color of that lower-grade diamond as much as you would if that diamond was set in a white gold or platinum setting.

• White Gold: The most popular choice of metal when it comes to engagement rings, white gold offers a cool, clean look. This metal is also a lot more affordable than platinum, even though both have a very similar appearance. However, the one downside to white gold is that it does require a bit of maintenance. If you select a white gold engagement ring, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll likely need to have your ring re-plated in rhodium every few years. Because gold is naturally yellow, white colored metals are added to the gold alloy to give it a white, silver-like appearance. Rhodium is one of the most popular metals used in white gold rings, and overtime this metal can wear away. When it does, you’ll likely notice your white gold ring take on a yellowish color. To regain the silver color, you’ll need to have your engagement ring re-plated, an extra cost that can add up overtime.

• Rose Gold: Considered a more contemporary and romantic choice for engagement rings, rose gold engagement rings are perfect for those with warmer skin tones. To create its pink-like color, copper is added to the gold alloy, making rose gold engagement rings slightly tougher than white or yellow gold rings.

• Platinum: More durable than gold, platinum will offer the best protection for the gemstones set in your engagement ring. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, making it a popular choice for those sensitive to certain jewelry metals. And unlike gold engagement rings, which lose small flakes every time they are scratched or polished, platinum will never lose metal when scratched. Instead, the metal just gets moved around the ring. But the benefits of durability, hypoallergenicity, and metal retention come at an added cost, as platinum engagement rings are more expensive than gold engagement rings. They’re also heavier than gold rings, since platinum is about 60% denser than gold.

If you have any questions regarding the four most common types of engagement ring metals or any other engagement ring questions, feel free to contact us at 414-276-2457 or info@kloiberjewelers.com.

You can view part of our engagement ring collection here. All of these rings can be created in your choice of yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum.