What karat gold to go with for engagement ring

[x8shockey0x]

Hey all. I'm having my engagement ring designed at whiteflash and I was wondering what karat gold I should go with. My girlfriend is pretty active and doesn't like taking jewelry off so I was thinking 14k. I talked to James and he said there is hardly a discernible difference between 14 and 18. Is this true, and will I see any difference years down the road? Also, how does rhodium dipping come into play? I think Helzberg said they do this for free, but since I'm ordering from WF and I'm in NJ, I wouldn't be sending it out to often. Thanks for the help!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

18k is preferable for white gold. I had two rings that were white gold and one needed replating within a year and the other was still perfect. So there is just no way to know how often that will need to be done. You should be able to have a ring replated for $20-50. I''d compare prices at reputable local jewelers when the time comes.

 

[x8shockey0x]

You say it is preferable, but could I ask why? It is white gold by the way. I know it is higher gold percentage, but from what I have heard that makes the metal softer and can result in prongs loosening quicker than they would with 14k. I know there is a price advantage too, but putting that aside, I would like the stronger of the two and what I am sacrificing for the 14k.

 

[x8shockey0x]

Does anyone know anything about white gold?

 

[x8shockey0x]

I found this old thread, which helps a little.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/14k-18k-white-gold-facts-please.1310/

Garry mentions that 14k can be whiter. So I guess my question boils down to why anyone would want 18k gold, besides maybe a reaction to other alloys?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

An appraiser on here once said that white gold is better in 18k. You are thinking about yellow gold being softer in 18k. 14k is only about half gold, and I would want any important piece of jewelry to be in higher carat gold, personally. I''ll look for a minute and see if I can find the quote, but I can''t promise.

 

[Allison D.]

18K white gold is 75% gold; 14K gold is 58.33% gold.

Most people prefer 18K for finer jewelry, but 14K works just as well. As far as durability, 14K gold is slightly harder than 18K, so it might be a touch more scratch resistant.

In either case, most people will end up having to get their ring replated with rhodium over time, so most people prefer to go with the finer 18K metal.

How often you''ll have to rhodium plate really depends on the wearer. Some people''s chemistry is more reactive with the rhodium than others, so some wearers may notice yellowing more quickly than others.

Hope this helps.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, here it is from a respected appraiser, Neil Beatty (I need to bookmark this so I don't have to keep searching for it!):

The comments in your link are correct. The hardness of the final product is a more complicated question than the simple karatage of the metal. Properly worked, some alloys of 18k can be quite durable. For commercially cast type pieces, 14k yellow gold is usually more durable than 18k yellow gold. 18k white is usually more durable than 14k white.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

Link to quote: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/14k-or-18k-harder.47488/

 

[x8shockey0x]

Ok fair enough. Hardness aside, what is the benefit of 18k? Is is shinier? Prettier? (I know it''s heavier!) Or is it peace of mind we are talking about here? Sorry to nag, I just want to make the right choice!

 

[ktrkate08]

I personally can''t visually tell a difference between 14k vs. 18k, although I''m certainly no expert. My FI went with 14k white gold and I have not had any problems with it - as a matter of fact I''m glad he saved the extra $$ and put it toward my diamond! I''m sure it''ll have to be plated at some time, but that''s not a big deal to me. I suppose at the end of the day it''s just a matter of preference.

 

[tberube]

14 is a little harder, therefore stronger. I am hard on my hands, I would never go higher than 14k. Also, the lower the percentage of gold, the whiter the metal.

 

[tberube]

Date: 3/27/2008 11:55:18 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Okay, here it is from a respected appraiser, Neil Beatty (I need to bookmark this so I don''t have to keep searching for it!):


The comments in your link are correct. The hardness of the final product is a more complicated question than the simple karatage of the metal. Properly worked, some alloys of 18k can be quite durable. For commercially cast type pieces, 14k yellow gold is usually more durable than 18k yellow gold. 18k white is usually more durable than 14k white.


Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver



Link to quote: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/14k-or-18k-harder.47488/

I wish there was further explination on the "18K white gold is more durable". It doesn''t seem to make sense to me, since gold is such a maleable metal and it''s mixed with harder metals. If there''s more of the harder metal and less of the gold (softer metal) it seems 1+1=2 to me to assume that 14K white gold would be the harder, more durable, metal.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 3/27/2008 12:17:15 PM
Author: x8shockey0x
Ok fair enough. Hardness aside, what is the benefit of 18k? Is is shinier? Prettier? (I know it''s heavier!) Or is it peace of mind we are talking about here? Sorry to nag, I just want to make the right choice!

More valuable...it has more gold in it than 14k. So more valuable and more durable in wg makes it an easy decision, at least for me! The price difference between 14-18k isn''t nearly as much as the difference between gold and platinum.

 

[Allison D.]

I don't know that there's a practical benefit per se. It's more a "fine jewelry" distinction; it's considered a finer quality due to higher gold content.

A similar analogy would be thread count in sheets....the more threads per inch, the softer/more luxurious/more elegant the feel of the fabric. Lesser thread counts are less expensive, but they may not be a soft/inviting as the higher thread sheets.

In yellow gold, I can readily see a visible difference between 14K and 18K gold; the 18K gold looks richer and deeper than 14K. I don't wear white, so I don't know if the same visible difference would be seen in white.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 3/27/2008 1:37:56 PM
Author: tberube

Date: 3/27/2008 11:55:18 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Okay, here it is from a respected appraiser, Neil Beatty (I need to bookmark this so I don''t have to keep searching for it!):


The comments in your link are correct. The hardness of the final product is a more complicated question than the simple karatage of the metal. Properly worked, some alloys of 18k can be quite durable. For commercially cast type pieces, 14k yellow gold is usually more durable than 18k yellow gold. 18k white is usually more durable than 14k white.



Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver



Link to quote: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/14k-or-18k-harder.47488/

I wish there was further explination on the ''18K white gold is more durable''. It doesn''t seem to make sense to me, since gold is such a maleable metal and it''s mixed with harder metals. If there''s more of the harder metal and less of the gold (softer metal) it seems 1+1=2 to me to assume that 14K white gold would be the harder, more durable, metal.

You should take a look at the link that Neil was responding to if you want more info:

http://www.24carat.co.uk/hardnessofgoldalloysframe.html

 

[x8shockey0x]

Ah finally, some truth I can sink my teeth into! All this time I was hoping for some justification in purchasing the 14k over 18k.

Well I''m glad I finally know. Very interesting in my opinion. I think more people should be aware of this!

 

[strmrdr]

14kX1 if I absolutely had too go white gold....

 

[x8shockey0x]

Why would you go with 14k?

Just curious...

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 3/27/2008 2:36:09 PM
Author: x8shockey0x
Why would you go with 14k?

Just curious...

14kx1 is the whitest white gold on the market and never needs plating.

I almost always buy 14k yellow I like the color better than commercial 18k and don''t see the sense in paying more for 18k unless it is the dark/rich yellow that looks like 22k.

 

[x8shockey0x]

Date: 12/28/2007 6:00:23 PM
Author: strmrdr

The x1 alloy part gold part nickel and part something else in a secret mix, it would be melted then cast or hand formed or die struck too make the ring.
Any good custom shop should be able to make a ring with the x1 alloy.


14kX1 is 58% Gold
18kX1 is 75% Gold


14kx1 in my experience never needs plating.
18kX1 if someone is very super sensitive too tint might want it plated but for most people it will never need it. If it is plated because of the whiteness of the alloy itself the thin parts of the plating wouldn''t show as much and require it too be plated less.


To my eyes neither needs plating
The 18kX1 even next too the 14kX1 is very white.

I didn''t know what 14kX1 was so I did a little backsearching. I''m very interested. Any knowledge of whether WF can/will use this? I''m concerned with wear and tear since I live in Jersey now and WF is in Texas. This situation makes it a little more difficult to get dipped often. This is all part of me trying to weigh buying locally with Helzberg to buying from WF.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 3/27/2008 4:44:27 PM
Author: x8shockey0x
I didn''t know what 14kX1 was so I did a little backsearching. I''m very interested. Any knowledge of whether WF can/will use this? I''m concerned with wear and tear since I live in Jersey now and WF is in Texas. This situation makes it a little more difficult to get dipped often. This is all part of me trying to weigh buying locally with Helzberg to buying from WF.

no clue if WF will use it.
It has been around long enough too have a solid track record if they arent using it they should consider it.

 

[x8shockey0x]

Ok thanks anyway. I inquired about palladium alloys and the X1. Hopefully I know enough now to make an informed decision.

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 3/27/2008 5:26:54 PM
Author: x8shockey0x
Ok thanks anyway. I inquired about palladium alloys and the X1. Hopefully I know enough now to make an informed decision.

Most of our basic settings could be done in 14K white, but you've actually beat me to the punch about palladium.

Palladium would likely be the best choice for you; it would satisfy your desires for durability and low maintenance. It's in the platinum family but appears much whiter. It retains a high shine so it never needs to be dipped, and it won't fade. It also doesn't scratch the way platinum does.

Because of these features, we're getting quite a few inquiries on palladium rings these days. It's a bit more money than white gold, but considerably less expensive than platinum.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[x8shockey0x]

I''m sold!

Thanks Allison!