Which Metal Color is the Best Option for You?
Choosing a metal for an engagement ring is mostly based on personal preference. Nonetheless, there are several factors that might affect your choice.
But what if you simply have no idea what your partner’s metal preference is? Or what if your partner has no idea what metal color she prefers for her engagement ring setting? How do you go about choosing a metal color that will make both of you happy with your selection for years to come?
Metal Options
Gone are the days of choosing between silver and gold for your engagement ring. Now that silver-colored band could be either white gold, platinum, silver, or tantalum. A quick way to tell what kind of metal your ring is made of is by looking for the inscription on the inside of the band.
At Lauren B Jewelry, we offer two categories of metal colors: gold and platinum. Within our gold category, we offer white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold—each of which has pros and cons when it comes to choosing your center stone and setting style.
Gold
As we mentioned previously, there are 3 gold metal options to choose from when selecting a metal for your engagement ring: white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold.
White Gold
White gold is the most popular metal choice for engagement rings. This is largely in part to the aesthetic similarities between white gold and platinum, but with a lower price tag.
White gold metal is created by mixing yellow gold with alloys, which is then finished with a rhodium plating for that white color and shine. Should you choose white gold, your ring will likely need replating in the future due to regular, everyday wear: body oil, frequent exposure to chemicals, and/or daily activities that require heavy use of your hands can wear down the rhodium plating causing discoloration and dullness.
Since gold is naturally yellow, white gold will, in time, revert back to its original yellow color.
Oval Moissanite Three-Stone Engagement Ring
1.35ct Pear Shape Diamond Double Signature Wrap Ring
Yellow Gold
Pure gold is yellow in its natural form, no additional alloys necessary. The purity of this metal’s chemical composition makes it hypoallergenic and reduces maintenance requirements. While yellow gold is pure, it might still require replating due to everyday wear.
Yellow gold is a great metal choice if you prefer a traditional engagement ring aesthetic, which is certainly increasing in popularity.
1.53ct Round Lab-Grown Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
1.82ct Antique Cushion Lab Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Rose Gold
Rose gold is a newer engagement ring metal, offering a soft pink tint created by mixing yellow gold with copper and a whisper of silver. The result is an incredibly feminine and romantic rose metal that pairs nicely with any center stone style.
In comparison to white and yellow gold, rose gold is the most durable gold metal, though it is still prone to tarnish and corrosion over time.
As with yellow gold, rose gold has the ability to hide diamond color, which allows for a lower color grade center stone while maintaining a colorless appearance.
2.7ct Heart Shape Diamond Signature Wrap Solitaire
Round Moissanite Rose Gold Six-Prong Engagement Ring
Platinum
Gold engagement ring metals are certainly a popular and budget-friendly choice, though platinum metal is the most durable metal, by far.
As a disclaimer, platinum does show light scuffs, dents, and dings just like a gold metal engagement ring. However over time, platinum loses less metal mass over time compared to gold metals, which requires less maintenance over the lifespan of your engagement ring.
The higher durability and security of a platinum engagement ring metal is reflected in the cost. Platinum is the most expensive engagement ring metal option up front, though it is important to note that future maintenance costs of gold metals (replating, notably) should be acknowledged as a potential expense.
4.52ct Round Diamond Cathedral Engagement Ring
4.02ct Radiant Cut Diamond Three-Row Band Engagement Ring
5.07ct Cushion Cut Sapphire and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Which Engagement Ring Metal is Right for Me?
While the detailed overviews of each engagement ring metal are quite lovely and informative, how do you choose a metal for your or your partner’s engagement ring?
There are a few considerations to ponder, which will determine the best engagement ring metal for you.
Skin Tone
Those with cooler skin tones look good in lighter metals such as white gold or platinum. People with warmer skin tones look good in yellow and rose gold. If your skin tone is more neutral, any metal color will work.
If you’re not sure how to find your skin’s undertone, you can check the following:
Warm Skin Tones:
- You have green veins on your wrist.
- Your skin tans easily and rarely burns.
- You have brown, green or hazel eyes and brown, red or black hair.
Cool Skin Tones:
- You have blue veins on your wrist.
- You struggle to tan and your skin burns easily.
- You have blue or green eyes and blonde, brown or black hair.
Lifestyle
What does a day in the life of your partner look like? Does she have a “hands-on” occupation? Does she have an obsession with clean dishes and a clean environment? Is she an avid hobby gardener?
If your partner has a particularly handsy lifestyle, you will need an engagement ring metal that can withstand regular and frequent wear and tear. Platinum would be the best choice.
Centerstone Selection
If you prefer to place more attention on diamond clarity and less attention on diamond color (say for an emerald cut, an Asscher cut, or an antique cushion), yellow gold or rose gold metals will brilliantly help mask the diamond’s color.
If yellow gold or rose gold for your engagement ring band is a hard “no,” you can opt for a two-toned engagement ring with yellow gold prongs and a white gold band, or any variation thereof.
1.51ct Radiant Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
2.60ct Cushion Diamond Hidden Halo™ Ring
Other Jewelry
Another thing to keep in mind is the other jewelry you or your partner wears on a daily basis; some people stick to one metal color while others are open to mixing and matching. If all their jewelry is yellow gold, it might be in your best interest to opt for a yellow gold setting. If all their jewelry is white gold, a white gold or platinum ring is safe.
Engagement Ring Budget
If you are still lingering between two engagement ring metal colors, you can always rely on the cost to make your decision and call it a day.
Platinum metal is the more expensive engagement ring metal option than white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold. Should you prefer to allocate the cushion of your budget to a fancy setting detail, you can opt for a gold metal to stay within budget.
What’s Your Metal?
Whether you fancy a traditional platinum engagement ring setting or a regal yellow gold engagement ring with one of our signature wraps, we are here to help you design the perfect engagement ring.
Schedule a virtual appointment or visit our showroom at 44 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017.
