How to Select the Right Engagement Ring Metal for You

When you’re shopping for an engagement ring, finding the right diamond or gemstone might be your first priority. However, choosing the right type of engagement ring metal is equally important. Metal type doesn’t just determine the aesthetic of your ring, but it also impacts durability and price. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different types of engagement ring metals and how to select the best option for you. 

Popular Engagement Ring Metal Types

First, let’s take a look at some popular metal options you can consider for your engagement ring. While you can choose any type of metal (or a nonmetal alternative like wood or silicone), a lot of people tend to choose precious metals for their engagement rings. Here’s what you need to know about popular precious metals:

Gold

Gold is one of the most popular engagement ring metal choices because it’s very durable and versatile. Gold can come in all different hues; you can select a classic yellow gold, a soft white gold, or even rose gold in a pink hue. Gold is one of the most expensive metals because of its durability and rarity. However, the durability of gold depends on the karat weight; 24K jewelry, the purest form of gold, is actually less durable than lower karat gold. When gold is alloyed (mixed together) with other metals, it actually becomes stronger. 14K or 18K gold are more popular options for durable base metals.  

Platinum

Platinum is not only a beautiful grayish white color, but it’s also known for its high durability. This makes platinum a great metal choice for jewelry that you intend to wear often, like an engagement ring. One thing to note about platinum is that it’s very dense, which makes it difficult to repair. Some jewelers might not have the specialized training or equipment required to work on your platinum ring.   

Silver

Silver is a lovely shiny gray color that complements a lot of different types of gemstones. It’s a more affordable metal than the others on this list because it’s less rare. It’s also easier to work with from a jeweler’s perspective. Silver is still considered a precious metal, but it tends to tarnish more quickly than gold or platinum as it’s a bit more porous, so it may require a bit more maintenance to keep it looking its best. 

Deciding on a Metal for You

How do you know which engagement ring metal is right for you? Here’s how factors like your personal style, budget, and hobbies might impact your choice:

Your Aesthetic 

The metal you choose will determine the appearance of your ring, so be sure to find one that fits your personal aesthetic. Gold is romantic, while platinum looks chic, for example. If you’re unsure which you like more, take a look at the rest of your jewelry; is there a metal or color you gravitate toward naturally? You may want to choose a metal that matches the rest of your collection so you can slot it in seamlessly, or you may want to choose something that stands out as an extra special addition.

Your Budget

Precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum tend to be more expensive than base metals like titanium, brass, copper, and nickel. This is because precious metals are rarer and more durable than base metals. However, even among precious metals there are differences in cost. For example, gold typically commands a higher price per ounce than silver or platinum due to its scarcity, status as a monetary metal, and use in jewelry. The costs of various metals are driven by supply, demand, and their material properties. But in general, precious metals are priced well above more abundant base metals, like brass or copper.

Precious metals will also fluctuate in price based on their purity. For example, gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats (24K) being the most pure and therefore the most expensive. 14K is 58.3% gold and 41.7% other metals (or alloys), so 14K will cost less than 24K. This is usually true with any kind of alloyed metal.

Your Lifestyle

Consider the role that durability will play in your decision making. If you know you’re the type of person that will wear your jewelry while gardening or playing pickleball, you might want to consider a metal that can hold up against your daily activities. If you’re between silver and white gold for example, this might be the factor that pushes you toward the more durable white gold.   

There are plenty of different ways to decide which engagement ring metal to use, and there are no wrong choices. Find the one that makes the most sense for your style, your budget, and your daily life. To choose every detail of your engagement ring, create a custom design with our team at Quick Jewelry Repairs. Our team will walk you through every step of designing your dream ring so that you end up with the perfect fit for you.