What You Need to Know about Handmade Rose Gold Engagement Rings and More!

Whether you are thinking about handmade rose gold engagement rings, titanium wedding bands, or an intricate yellow gold twig ring, one of the first decisions you need to make when choosing a ring is the type of precious metal that will work best for you and/or your significant other. Remember, not all ring metals are equal in all regards; each kind has unique characteristics that can affect your satisfaction with the ring. In most cases, engagement rings will be crafted from one of three popular precious metals: gold, platinum, and tungsten. Although there are other metal options like titanium or silver, these three metal types are the most popular. To help you decide the metal option best for your ring, make sure to understand these ring metal pros and cons:

Gold
Gold is probably the most classic of the precious metals chosen for engagement rings and wedding bands. There are multiple colorations including but not limited to rose, yellow, and white. Since gold is too soft to be used for rings in its purest form, it is mixed with other metals to create rings. Due to this, jewelers determine the price of this metal by the number of karats (or the percentage of gold used) in the ring.

In most cases, the measurement of gold is listed as a portion of 24. For example, a ring with 18 karats yellow gold is 75 percent pure gold (or 18/24). The color of each ring is determined by the type of alloy metals mixed with the gold. For instance, zinc and copper are used to make yellow gold coloring, white gold is mixed with palladium and silver, and copper is used to create rose gold. The benefits of each gold option can vary (for instance, rose gold is more durable than white or yellow). However, in general, gold is:

• Less expensive than platinum
• Lighter than other metals (like tungsten)
• Offers a wide assortment of highly fashionable and traditional color choices

The downsides to using gold are the possibility that it will become discolored over time, upkeep (several types like white gold require maintenance every three years to maintain the shiny, silvery-white appearance), and the fact that it is not always hypoallergenic. For instance, handmade rose gold engagement rings are not hypoallergenic due to the copper used to make the rose coloring. This characteristic means they’re perfect for someone with no allergies, but might be a worse choice for someone with sensitive skin.

Platinum
Platinum has become an increasingly popular choice over the years. It is very durable and will last for decades without tarnish. The pros of this silvery-white metal include:

• Fade-resistant color
• Excellent for people who work each day with their hands
• Heaviest and most durable metal option available
• Hypoallergenic
• Long lasting
• Rarely requires polish or maintenance

However, the downside to this metal is the cost. It is one of the most expensive metal choices for jewelry, but, once you have it purchased, there are rarely any other expenses (like ring cleaning). The only exception is that if it should become damaged, repair costs can be more expensive than choices like a handmade rose gold engagement ring, whose customized, mixed-metal nature makes it much more affordable to repair.

Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten (or tungsten carbide) is one of the most long-lasting metals on the planet. It measures a whopping nine on the Mohs hardness scale, coming in the right below diamonds. The pros of this metal include:

• Maintains finish (due to its hardness, the finish on a tungsten ring is hard to break down or scratch)
• Lots of styles to choose from
• Very affordable

The downside to this metal option is its weight. Compared to other precious metals, tungsten is notably heavier and can contribute to wearers needing some time to adjust to the weight on their finger. Another downside is that its hardness makes repairs difficult and expensive. While tungsten rings are unlikely to break in the first place, repairs can be a hassle.

For more information on the pros and cons to the metal options you’re considering, contact Olivia Ewing today by calling 800-386-0103. She is a skilled artisan that can help you determine the best metal, design, and gem options to make the ring of your dreams.