Among the large variety of gold rings, choosing new bling may seem to be a complicated task and many people wonder how to buy a gold ring. Let’s take a look at the most important factors to consider before you decide what you need to buy.
What Karat Should My Gold Ring Be?
First things first, gold karat is a number that indicates how many parts of pure gold out of a total of 24 are in the specific piece of jewellery.
For example, 14 karat gold rings contain 58.3% pure gold and the rest is other metals such as nickel, zinc, etc. 18 karat gold rings contain 75% pure gold and the rest is other metals accordingly. The higher the karat gold, the higher the price of the ring since it is purer.
Another factor that is often overlooked is the durability of the metal. We already know that pure gold is very soft and is not suitable for everyday wear. The more other metals the gold alloy contains, the more durable it is, meaning low-karat jewellery pieces are harder and more durable.
So the rule is simple. Low-karat gold rings (10K or 14K) are suitable for everyday wear since they are more durable, and high-karat gold rings (18K, 20K or 22K) are better for pieces that you won’t wear that often since they scratch more easily.
What If My Gold Ring Contains Nickel?
Nickel is a metal that is commonly added to pure gold alloys to make them harder. The problem with nickel is that it can cause allergic reactions on the skin.
In case you are allergic to this metal, don’t buy 10K or 14K gold rings as the concentration of nickel in them can be too high for you. 18K and purer gold rings are the best choices. Of course, these alloys may contain nickel too, but the concentration is not that high to irritate your skin.
What Gold Type Should the Ring Setting Be Made Of?
The gold type used for the setting of the ring is another important factor to consider. This is especially important if the gemstone has a prong setting.
If the prongs are made of yellow gold, they will wear out quickly. It’s much better to have the setting made of platinum, if you can afford it, or white gold. These two are more durable and less likely to bend or break.
Consider the Ring Body
When choosing a gold ring, make sure you consider how strong is its body.
As a general rule, the band of the ring should not be too thin. If it is, it will easily bend or even break at some point.
If you opt for a yellow gold ring, make sure that the band is reasonably thick not to wear down quickly. In the case of white gold, you may feel a bit safer since it’s more durable in comparison with yellow gold.
