Choosing a setting metal

[Barrus]

Does anyone have any experience and/or advice to share with me regarding the various metal choices for ring settings?

14k, 18k, 19k, Platinum, Palladium, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Well first, what color would the recipient like?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good question, Niel!

Are you asking about white metals only, or yellow gold as well? Most women do have a preference about the color of the metal.

For white metals, I would go with platinum in the following alloys only:

90% platinum, 10% iridium

95% platinum, 5% ruthenium

(avoid 95plat/5iridium because it is softer and scratches more)

 

[Barrus]

Well first, what color would the recipient like?

White. I took for granted that you all werent there for that portion of the project. Definitely white.

 

[Niel]

Well first, what color would the recipient like?

White. I took for granted that you all werent there for that portion of the project. Definitely white.

Well DS clearly has the plat covered. Shed be the person is ask for that.

If you went white gold id go 14k over a higher grade. The more gold in the alloy the less white it will look. 18k is preferable for yellow, and rose gold could be either depending on the color your going for, but I'd always go 14 k if your looking for a white metal.

Also go with a white gold mixed with palladium. Meaning you don't have to worry about allergies or replating with rhodium, as a palladium keeps the metal white on its own.

I'd stay away from palladium though..I think it ends up getting a bit grey (so I've heard. ) also some people won't work with it so its hard to get sized or something from a local jeweler.

 

[yssie]

Ditto DS - plat 950/Ru or 900/Ir, not 950/Ir.

Gold vs. plat seems to be a bit like PC vs. Apple - most of us long-timers have pretty determined preferences! If you don't have budget constraints most would choose platinum. Ni-alloys of white gold are the norm in the US, and these will need to be re-plated regularly to maintain that icy white chrome-like finish, and might cause problems if she's allergic to nickel. There are specialty WG alloys of 14kt & 19kt that don't need plating, but they're likely to cost more than whatever your vendor of choice regularly casts with.

I'm a gold girl. But I like the colour of unplated Ni-WG, which is not at all what you're looking for In your situation, she doesn't have other rings and hasn't stated any strong preferences up-front, my vote is plat - safe, "icy" white, 950/Ru or 900/Ir will need polishing far less often than 950/Ir.

 

[Laila619]

I prefer 950 platinum or 950 palladium alloyed with ruthenium. But it's all just personal preference. Some people like white gold better.