Diamond Buyer Guide

An engagement ring is the ultimate symbol of romance and is more than just a pretty gem. It also encompasses the precious metal that holds that gem in place. Knowing the benefits and attributes of different metals can help couples choose the perfect metal to complement the diamonds or gemstones in an engagement ring.

Most common engagement ring metals include:
White Gold
Yellow Gold
Rose Gold
Platinum
Titanium
Silver

Each metal offers different features and details for engagement rings. When researching and deciding on a precious metal for the engagement ring, couples should ask themselves these questions:

• Will this metal be secure enough for the stone and setting? Many rings opt for platinum for the actual setting because of its greater strength, but the band should also be strong enough to withstand any daily stresses. The security of the setting also dictates the type of metal.
• Will the metal discolor the diamond or gemstone? Yellow or rose gold may impart a subtle hue to the stone, particularly if it is not impeccably colored to begin with. At the same time, white metals such as platinum or silver may help brighten a stone with a lower quality color.
• Is the metal within our budget? Uncommon gold colors such as rose gold or rarer metals such as tungsten are more expensive than easier to acquire yellow gold.
• Is the karat value suitable for our preferences and budget? Lower karat metals actually have less of the precious metal in them, though they do make the metal stronger. Most gold engagement rings are 14 or 18 karat gold, and higher values are generally more expensive as well as less durable.