Among the large variety of jewellery available on the market, choosing a new ring may seem to be a complicated task. Knowing how to buy a gold ring is critical as there are some key factors to consider before you make a purchase.
What Is the Best Gold Karat for Rings?
Karat, marked as “k”, “K” or “Kt”, is a measurement system that indicates the ratio of pure gold to other metals or alloys in a piece of gold jewellery. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 24, the latter being the purest form (pure gold) with no other metals mixed.
For example, a 14 karat gold ring contains 14 parts of pure gold out of 24 and 10 parts of other metals such as copper, silver, nickel, zinc, etc. 18 karat gold ring contains 18 parts of pure gold and 6 parts of other metals or alloys accordingly. The higher the karatage, the purer the gold.
The main factor to consider when choosing the best karat for a gold ring is probably the durability of the metal, as rings are prone to scratches during wear and tear.
Gold in its purest form (24k) is very soft and less durable than the gold of a lower karatage. Hence, pure gold is not suitable for regular forms of jewellery such as engagement rings, wedding bands, eternity and cocktail rings, etc. The more other metals the gold alloy contains, the more durable it is. That is why diamond and other gemstone jewellery, including rings, is usually made in 14k or 18k gold.
18k gold is the best choice for those who want to have the most amount of gold and still possess a high level of durability. 14k gold is perfect for those looking for a balance between durability and a lower price, as the purer the gold, the higher the price of the ring.
What Gold Colour Is the Best?
There are many different colours of gold to choose from when buying a ring. However, the most popular are yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.
Yellow gold is the only type of gold that occurs naturally. In its pure form, yellow gold is a very soft metal, 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which is why to be used in jewellery production it needs to be mixed with harder metals such as copper and zinc. Depending on the concentration of mixed elements, yellow gold tends to come in varying shades.
Pros of Yellow Gold
- Historically the most popular metal used for jewellery.
- The most hypoallergenic type of all three gold colours.
- Features the purest colour.
- Easy to match with diamonds of a lower colour grade.
- Easy to work with.
Cons of Yellow Gold
- Needs to be cleaned and polished regularly.
- Prone to dents and scratches.
White gold does not exist naturally. It is a mixture of yellow gold and white metals such as palladium, silver, nickel and zinc. These alloys give white gold a paler colour, more hardness and durability. The silvery-white colour is achieved by final coating with a metal called rhodium.
Pros of White Gold
- Probably the most popular gold colour nowadays.
- Less expensive than platinum.
- More durable and scratch-resistant than yellow gold due to stronger metals mixed.
Cons of White Gold
- Needs to be rhodium replated every few years to retain its silvery-white colour and lustre.
- May cause allergic reactions if contains nickel.
Just like white gold, rose gold does not exist naturally. It is a mix of pure yellow gold with copper and silver alloys. These metals make rose gold harder and give it a beautiful rose colour. The depth of colour in rose gold depends on the amount of copper used, meaning the higher copper content will result in a more reddish rose colour.
Pros of Rose Gold
- Often more affordable than other gold colours due to copper content which costs less.
- More durable than yellow and white gold due to the strength of copper.
- Easy to match with diamonds of a lower colour grade.
Cons of Rose Gold
- Needs to be cleaned and polished regularly.
- May cause allergic reactions.
What If My Gold Ring Contains Nickel?
As mentioned, pure gold is too soft to be used in jewellery manufacturing. That is why it is mixed with nickel and other metals to make it harder and more suitable for production.
The lower the purity of gold alloy, the larger part consists of other metals. As a result, a low-karat gold ring is more likely to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
However, you should be aware that not all gold types contain the same concentration of nickel, meaning if you are sensitive to it, a reaction may only happen when wearing certain types of gold. For example, it is possible to have two rings of the same karat and only one to cause allergy.
In case you are allergic to nickel, you may switch to gold jewellery of a higher karat grade. Most people with such an allergy cannot wear 14k gold, which is why you need to try higher karats until you find a suitable type for you.
You should also not wear white gold as it consists of yellow gold with a mix of other metals, including nickel used to make it look whiter. White gold can also have a rhodium plating to achieve a silvery-white colour. Once this layer wears down, the nickel beneath will come into contact with your skin and irritate it. In case you are still determined to buy white gold jewellery, make sure it is nickel-free.
Featured image: Jess @ Harper Sunday / Unsplash
