The Metal

 

Pure gold isn't suitable for ring settings because it's too soft for jewelry purposes. Therefore, it's alloyed with other metals to enhance its strength and durability. The purity of gold, indicating how much gold is in the jewelry piece, is measured in 'karats' or 'KT'. One karat equals 1/24 part, with 24 karats representing pure gold.

Category	Amount of Gold
24K	99.99%
22K	91.6%
18K	75%
14K	58.5%
10K	41.7%

 

18KT gold is recommended for ring settings because it strikes a balance between durability for daily wear and visual appeal. As mentioned earlier, pure gold (24KT or 22KT) is too soft and prone to scratches. Conversely, lower karat gold, while more durable, lacks the attractive appearance needed for jewelry.

Additionally, 18KT gold is more affordable compared to platinum and requires less maintenance, as most jewelers can easily polish and re-plate it.

Category	Mixture
18K Yellow Gold	25% mixture of copper, nickel, zinc and/or palladium
18K White Gold	25% mixture of copper, nickel, zinc and/or cobalt
18K Rose Gold	25% mixture of silver and copper

 

Rose Gold:

Rose gold is created by alloying yellow gold with copper. Because copper has a reddish-brown hue, blending it with yellow gold produces a rosy red color. The amount of copper added determines the shade of the rose gold, with higher copper content resulting in a deeper red hue. Pink gold, on the other hand, contains the least amount of copper.

White Gold:

White gold is created by alloying yellow gold with another white metal, such as Palladium instead of Nickel to prevent potential allergies. Palladium, a member of the Platinum group of metals, lends a whiter appearance compared to Nickel alloys.

 

Usually, white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium to achieve a shinier and whiter look. However, rhodium plating can wear off over time due to abrasion, necessitating re-plating and polishing to maintain its appearance.

 

Platinum:

Platinum is among the rarest metals on earth and naturally has a white color. Unlike white gold, it does not require rhodium plating. Platinum is celebrated for its exceptional strength and durability and can be used almost in its pure form (90% - 95%). It is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for individuals with sensitive skin.