is 14k (gold) okay for a setting?

[guliice]

i was just down in the LA jewelry district today looking for settings - actually - wanted to go to one place with a TON of different looks/styles so i can start narrowing down what i want.

i avoided the first floor booths and went up into the buildings to look a bit. comparing settings there with what i''ve seen online and at a local jeweler - the prices were great. the ring setting i''ve been looking at locally is $1,100 (antique, no diamonds, no band) - while i found this amazing setting and matching band, with many diamonds down the sides of each, for $950 (ring and band). i couldn''t get over it. the local ring is a gordon clark, a lot of carving/etc - very nice - but the downtown ring was just spectacular - plus the band comes with it!

now, the local ring is 18k white while the downtown ring is 14k white. are there any issues with 14k gold? pros/cons? i just couldn''t get over the difference in price. the downtown guy casts his own jewelry, so maybe that''s part of it?

any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dancing Fire]

i have no problem with 14 kt settings....

all my wife''s rings are in cheap 14KT setting except her 5 stone which is in plat. i''m afraid to buy her an expensive setting b/c she might change her mind a couple of months later

then what ??? flush the $6-7K setting down the toilet?

 

[Elegant]

Date: 7/19/2008 9:18:36 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
i''m afraid to buy her an expensive setting b/c she might change her mind a couple of months later

then what ??? flush the $6-7K setting down the toilet?

Oh DF, you are a feisty one, aren''t you?

Hi gullice!

I think 14kt gold is a good metal...I don''t have an engagement ring

or anything, but a lot of my other daily worn pieces are in 14 kt and I haven''t had a problem!

 

[Jelly]

I have many 14k pieces which suit me fine. I have to get them rhodium plated every so often, but I don''t mind.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

my er and wb and both 14k wg and i get them plated about once a year but that''s it!

 

[guliice]

great, thanks everyone! it was amazing, for $100 less i get all these side stones, plus the band w/ side stones. i''m very very happy.

and i really really liked it.

of course, i could go back there next week and find three other settings i like - then it''s back to the drawing board.

thanks!

 

[LaraOnline]

Hi there...are you buying (selecting) your own engagement ring? or is for your partner?
In Australia, the general rule for gold is 9k (!!!) so people *do* tend to go for 18k for their wedding set.
You could always ask the downtown guy to make the set for you in 18k, or price it.

 

[jewelerman]

I like the color of 18karat,buy if the piece has alot of detail then i like 14karat for wear.

 

[akmiss]

There is nothing wrong with 14k but get the 18k if you have a choice! Most designers offer their works in 18k or platinum. It might be hard to find a designer band in 14k, so do keep that in mind. I have a 14k setting and plan on getting a band that is 18k and I am not too sure if this will "match."

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/19/2008 10:09:44 PM
Author: Elegant

Date: 7/19/2008 9:18:36 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
i''m afraid to buy her an expensive setting b/c she might change her mind a couple of months later

then what ??? flush the $6-7K setting down the toilet?

Oh DF, you are a feisty one, aren''t you?

but.... you know i''m right about women changing their mind every minute.

 

[diamondringlover]

I have wore 14K rings for 25 years and I have never had any problem what so ever with them

 

[Elegant]

Date: 7/20/2008 5:05:43 AM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 7/19/2008 10:09:44 PM

Author: Elegant

Date: 7/19/2008 9:18:36 PM

Author: Dancing Fire

i''m afraid to buy her an expensive setting b/c she might change her mind a couple of months later

then what ??? flush the $6-7K setting down the toilet?

Oh DF, you are a feisty one, aren''t you?

but.... you know i''m right about women changing their mind every minute.

Um...maybe...

 

[guliice]

it''s actually for my partner. i did ask and he can cast the ring in 18k for an extra $300 or so - which wouldn''t be that big of an issue, but now i''m looking at an aca diamond so the budget has gotten a little broken.

not looking at trade offs, but - when the ring is presented to me in 14k and i really like the look, and the price (with my revised/broken budget) - 14k doesn''t sound too bad right now.

hence the original question if there were any issues with it that people have experienced.

all in all i would DEARLY love to get her platinum. but this beautiful, almost antique-ie setting and band, dusted in little sparkling diamonds will hopefully do for now.

thanks everyone!