Time to choose the ring! The ring or more specifically the ring band is made up of an alloy of metals, which is a combination of various metallic elements in varying proportions to produce the desired color and properties. All existing metals (at least the ones on Earth) are characterized by different shades of grey except for gold (yellow) and copper (red). Deciding the material of ring is easy once you understand its value and properties.

1. 14K White Gold
2. 14K Yellow Gold
3.Platinum
4. Titanium

Gold ring is made of a mixture of gold and other metal elements. The more gold there is in the alloy, the more yellowish it will appear in color. The Karat system (do not confuse this with the Carat system) is used to reveal the amount of pure gold found in an item. The Karat system divides the item in 24 parts and grades the item according to the proportion of gold (in parts) in the item. Below we have a table to demonstrate this.

Yellow gold is obviously yellow in color. As a general rule of thumb, the more ‘goldish’ or yellowish the item looks, the more proportion of gold is present in the item. Gold is one of the more precious metal elements on Earth. The majority of gold in the world resides in jewelry and India remains one of the largest populations that purchases gold due to its cultural practices. Gold is also the most traded commodity in the indexes and reserves of India.

White gold is an alloy containing gold of course (which is yellow), along with nickel, palladium and other whiter metals to make the alloy appear whiter. However since there is gold in the alloy it will always appear “yellowish”. A common misconception that many people have is that white gold exists and is formed naturally but this is actually not the case. Presently, white gold is gaining popularity due to its elegant color. White gold can be made from different types of alloys. For example, gold with nickel or gold with palladium in which the latter would look less yellowish comparing between the two different items with same gold Karat grade. The price also varies depends on the alloy and plating. As white gold would no matter have a certain degree of yellow color (which is undesirable for most people these days), it is normally plated with white color metal element, such as palladium and rhodium. White gold is most suitable for engagement ring which is not worn so frequently so as to reduce the number of times you have to go back to re-plate the ring (we would cover re-plating/plating later on).

Platinum is naturally white but not as bright and shiny as rhodium, it looks nice if mixed with good amount of palladium in the alloy. For jewelries like ring, bracelets earrings that we wear often, platinum is always the best choice. The reason is, when the plating on platinum begins to wear thin, you would not notice as much.  As compared to white gold and white gold, they would present contrast after few scratches as it is yellowish in nature. On the other hand, platinum never oxidized nor discolor.  Platinum is also a metal that hypoallergic to human skin.  Generally, platinum cost 2 – 3 times more compared to white gold. Though more expensive, platinum is still popular due to its hardness and color.