20K Yellow Gold

[bnas95]

Hi People
I am not sure if this is the right place to post this but just wanted to ask if there were any drawbacks to using 20K Gold in terms of the finished product.
I understand that if for any reason you need to resize etc you have to make sure that 20K gold is used otherwise you will have a problem but in terms of strength and durability am I making a wise choise ?
I just like the idea of being different and it was a compromise between 18K and 22K as most of her jewellery is 22K.

 

[perry]

Gold, by its very nature is not a very strong material. Hence, it is alloyed with other metals and elements in order to give it strength (and to reduce cost).

Amoung the production alloys, 18K Gold (75% gold, 25% alloy) is considered the highest gold content for engagment rings and associated jewelery; with warnings that the ring can get bent, and will wear out over time. The Diamond is typically restrained by platinum prongs in this case. 14K gold is considered strong enough that it is often used in cheaper jewelery for the retaining prongs.

Again sticking with the normal gold alloys 20K and 22K gold are not typically used for precious stone rings as they are not considered strong enough, but my understanding is that they are often used for bracelets and chains (especially in certain parts of the world).

I am aware that there is one specific 20K experimental alloy out there that looks like a good canidate for use in precious stone rings (with platinum prongs). My information is that this research is being conducted in Europe where they have a tremendous percentage of the population that is sensitive to nickle, and work is being done to find usable gold alloys with no nickle in them at all.

Several weeks ago when I was doing the research on this I actally found a supplier who would ship that experimental 20K alloy to the US for use in a custom engagement ring. I did not keep exact track as I am sure I can find it again if I needed to, and I am getting the impression that my Lady may prefer a Platinum ring over gold.

If you are in Europe and being offered a 20K gold e-ring, there is the chance that it may work. Please inquire into the exact alloy and make sure that it is this new experimental alloy. Otherwise, all information is that a normal 20K gold e-ring will not stand up to day to day use.

 

[sumi]

I would personally advice against using 20k gold for a ring, especially something like an e-ring or wedding ring that will be worn daily. I have a 18k gold ring that I wear on my right hand it got dented and scratched like you won't believe sooo quickly. I'm thinking that 18k or below is good for rings. Jewelery on the hand gets expose to many more impacts that other jewelery.

(Although I must say that I do LOVE yellow gold!)