Metal for solitaire ring, and eternity band

[breanne]

I'm not exactly there in the process, but I love to research, so I figured I'd post.

My engagement ring will be a solitaire, 4mm is what I'd like, I'd also like to pair it with an eternity band. I really love the look of flush fitting rings. I don't know if it matters, but the eternity band would have U shaped prongs, and I've often wondered about scratching. In a previous thread someone mentioned a thin spacer, which is definitely a good option, I don't know if the combination of three rings would bother me though, so I'd have to weigh out all options.

I've gone back and forth between white gold and platinum, I've stumbled across 900 plat - 100 irid. as well, depending on what I read, my choice waivers. Everyone has a great argument for their preference, which makes it hard to decide. Has anyone paired similar style rings with the same fears and concerns, what was your choice, and how did you narrow it down?

Thanks so much.

 

[missy]

When I was choosing what band to go with my ER width and height were important to match IMO for a pleasing look. While I like a slight space b/w my rings flush is also a nice choice as long as the rings don't cause damage. As for metal choices maybe this can help you in your decision. Personally I prefer platinum for rings no contest for me.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/engagement-rings/platinum-vs-white-gold

Questions & Answers about Platinum vs. White Gold
Deciding between white gold and platinum? Read the pros and cons below to help you decide. Both metals are commonly used in engagement rings, and both are durable enough to withstand years of wear. Take a bit of time to learn about the different metals and decide what is best for you.

For more information about White Gold, Platinum and other Precious Metals used in engagement jewelry please visit: *New Precious Metals Tutorial*


Q:
Can anyone tell me what the big difference is between the two and is platinum worth the extra money? Also, if I go with white gold, should I go 14k or 18k?
A:
For most jewelry white gold is going to do the same job as platinum. Platinum is heavier and a bit more durable. It can be fabricated better when making complex items than gold, but simple solitaire rings generally are not made in a way that platinum is totally required. Platinum is easier to hand engrave, but there is plenty of engraved white gold jewelery, too.

When not rhodium plated, white gold is a bit yellowish and platinum is more grayish in color. Rhodium on a ring is a short term plating anyway so it is only an intial "look".

People will almost always recommend platinum, if you can afford it. I basically agree, but I wear a nice 14kt white gold diamond ring every day and it is light weight and looks just fine....So the answer is really a matter of choice in most cases.
David S. Atlas, GG(GIA), ASG, Sr. Mbr. NAJA, gemappraisers.com
Q:
The ring I looked it is an engagement ring with round diamonds throughout the band. It is white 14K gold with Rhodium plating. My girlfriend likes the look of the rhodium plating, which is why I am considering platinum. She does not like the look of white 14k gold without rhodium plating however. How long will the rhodium plating last? I've heard that it needs to be touched up every few years or so.

The price difference between white gold and platinum is $1,000 on the ring I am looking at and I don't know if it's worth it.
A:
...white gold does quickly fade to yellowish especially in jewellery that gets lots of wear... like rings. A friend's white gold wedding band faded less than a year after getting married, and he's a total white collar bloke.

Though, white gold is a lot whiter and shinier then platinum, which tends to be greyier and can dull through wear, I would have white gold if only the plating always lasts!
A:
Some people can also have a skin reaction to white gold.

I have very sensitive skin, my skin reacts very negatively to white gold. I had pretty bad eczema as a child, which might explain it. To be more precise, I think it's the nickel mixed to make the gold white. I don't know if there are mixes that don't use at least a little nickel, but my skin always reacts to white gold. If I wear white gold earrings, then my ears get really hot, puffy, and infected. If I wear a white gold necklace, the area where the necklace touches my skin breaks out in a rash. Don't know about rings because I've never tried a white gold ring. I just basically stay away from white gold because of my skin sensitivity. I also can't wear any yellow gold under 18k.

However platinum doesn't pose a problem for people with sensitive skin.
A:
You are right. a lot of people react to the nickle in white gold because I am one of them, also. I went to a dermatologist and got tested and hr said it is very common. I'm also taking the GIA course and I just finished the part where it teaches how chlorine and other household chemicals can eat up and pit 14KT gold by eating up the alloys in it. The photos were amazing. I wish I had a way to scan them in. I'm never going swimming with my rings on again!
A:
No ring stays the color it is in the store. Stores Rhodium thier Plat as well as thier White gold and Silver pieces, as the Plat gets gray as people have mentioned.

I'd go with a 14k Palladium white. It does tend to stay more silvery-white than anything else, and it doesn't have the allergy or other problems nickel based white gold does. I would recommend the 14k, as it is more white than 18K.

I'd say just save the $1000 for something else.
A:
I had a white gold wedding band for 25 years and it kept it's shine although it did tend to yellow rather quickly.

The most common 950 platinum does tend to dull to a grayish patina. I searched for a long time to upgrade my setting over a year ago and went back and forth on white gold/versus platinum as I prefered the shiney look of the white gold. Every local jeweler told me that the platinum would dull quickly and that there was no way to keep the shine other than having it professionally polished once a year.

I finally found a platinumsmith/designer that suggested an alloy of 900 plat./ 100 iridium as the iridium is harder and helps keep the shine. My setting has a lot of smooth, shiney surface (see page 5 under Eye Candy folder) and has kept it's shine extremely well for the year. No need for polishing and no grayish hue.

I highly suggest if you want platinum that keeps its shine - go for the abovementioned alloy.
A:
Platinum is ALWAYS worth the extra cost over gold!

Course I'm bias on the subject being I love platinum the way I do!

Platinum is heavier, the color is soothing (course that is more of a "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" attitude), it scrathes like gold does but doesn't lose any of the precious metal content (more or less displaces the metal when scratched), it is worth more in the long run if you ever want to get rid of it for what ever reason (that's bad news to my ears though), and if supporting a diamond or two, platinum really gives a diamond a nice clean look.

Plus there is nothing like the feel of platinum on your finger ..... a very luxurious feel it has!

If going with white gold, I would opt for the 18K myself and remember alot of 14k White gold is Rhodium plated now a days...with MOST Platinum's there is no need for Rhodium plating especially if it is the 950 Platinum S1 or 950 Platinum Ru which definetly does not require Rhodium plating.

I must also mention that with 950 Platinum S1 is doesn't scratch easily ... gold scratches much easier. Even 950 Platinum Ru is tougher to scratch than the other Platinum Mixes.

and this link has useful info too.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/engagement-rings/precious-metals-used-engagement-jewelry


Good luck!