Metal options for your wedding ring - Gold

8 September 2020

Categories: METALS

GOLD
Gold has always been a standard for engagement and wedding jewellery, thanks to its naturally warm, yellow hue and beautiful luster. Gold engagement rings are romantic and timeless.

APPEARANCE
The alloy that’s mixed with gold affects its colour. There are hundreds of possible mixtures, but options generally include:

YELLOW GOLD
Pure gold mixed with a little silver and copper for a warm look.

WHITE GOLD
Pure gold is combined with palladium and silver or with nickel, copper and zinc. Rhodium plating improves whiteness and durability.

GREEN GOLD
Actually yellowish-green in appearance, this is pure gold plus silver.

PINK AND ROSE
Increasingly popular, these reddish-gold options are pure gold plus copper. The more copper, the redder the metal. Interesting facts: Gold is mined primarily in South Africa but also in Australia, Peru, Russia, and the United States.

PURITY
Gold purity is measured in karats (not to be confused with carats, a measure of gem weight). Karats are divided into 24 parts, so 24 parts of gold — known as 24K gold — is pure. However, 24K gold is soft and easily damaged, so it’s mixed — or alloyed — with other metals to make it more durable. For example, 14K gold is 14 parts gold, 10 parts other metal. Jewellery must be at least 10K to be sold as gold in the United States and 9k in the UK

CARE
Buff your gold engagement ring with a soft cloth to keep it shiny and smooth, or contact us and we can quote you to repolish your Jewellery.