Finding the perfect metal for an engagement ring is just as important as the gemstone or diamond it holds. This guide will help you pick the right engagement ring for a bride-to-be.

If you’re looking to buy an engagement ring, there are many things to consider. Choosing the right metal is already a more complex decision than it used to be. It was once just an option between yellow and white and now there’s a range of options to consider. 

There are many kinds of gold metal alone and other popular alternative metals such as titanium and tungsten carbide. Take it one step at a time and look for the right type of metal. You’ll end up with something that suits her style that she’ll remember forever. This article will guide you through the different types of metals available for your ring settings.

Check Out Her Style for the Perfect Engagement Ring

First of all, determine your fiancée’s style. Then you can find the right metal and color that compliments her style. When choosing a ring setting, one of the first things you must consider is the jewelry type your future bride usually wears. 

• White gold or platinum is perfect if she’s into cooler hues and silver-colored jewelry.
• Yellow gold or rose gold are ideal options if she tends to lean toward warmer colors.
• You can also mix metals like white gold and yellow, as it lets her complement any piece in her jewelry collection.
• Even if you choose warmer metal like yellow gold, setting the diamond in a white-colored metal head (which holds the diamond) like white gold or platinum will emphasize the diamond and enhance its sparkling beauty.

Now, let’s get into the top materials for engagement rings.

Gold

Gold is the most common jewelry option as it is incredibly versatile. Gold’s standard measurement is karat, which is divided into 24 parts. If metal is pure gold, it has 24 karats, as  24 out of 24 parts are gold.

Pure gold is usually too soft for jewelry, so it needs to be combined with other metal alloys to increase its durability. You can find 22K gold, but it mostly comes in 18K, which is 75% of gold, 14K (58%) and 10K (42%). The rest comprises other metals like copper, silver, nickel and zinc, which offer strength and durability. Gold jewelry generally comes in these colors:

Yellow Gold

It’s a classic yet fashionable option. Yellow gold offers the iconic warm tones from the red copper and green hue of silver. Yellow gold lost the trend to white gold but has recently returned to the top as the most popular jewel color option.

White Gold

White gold in its silvery white color from a combination of yellow gold with copper, zinc and nickel makes it more contemporary than yellow gold. It’s plated with a hard element known as rhodium (a platinum group metal) which makes it look stronger and whiter.

Rose Gold

This unique and romantic metal has a warm, pink hue made by combining yellow gold with a copper alloy. Rose gold has the same percentage of metal alloys as they are for yellow or white. It only uses a different mixture of alloys.

Platinum

Known as the rarest material in the world, platinum isn’t only the most luxe option but also one of the strongest precious metals. White gold was actually created when platinum jewelry was taken off the market to conserve these materials for the war. Experts say platinum is an excellent choice and will hold precious stones in place for a lifetime. This is why prongs in rings are made from platinum, especially those made from less durable metals like white gold. Platinum can handle scratches and tears better than others. 

Even though it’s a more expensive metal choice, the longevity of its wear makes it worth it. Platinum bands don’t get damaged easily and the metal retains its color, so you won’t need to replate it and its shine won’t fade over time. In case you come across scratches and tarnishes, your jeweler can help polish them back to normal.

Sterling Silver 

Silver was once considered more valuable than gold, and it’s one of the longest-standing precious metals used in jewelry making. It’s also one of the most affordable in the market today. Silver is too soft to be used on its own, just like gold. Therefore, it needs to mix with copper and other metals to create sterling silver, a more durable option. 

The white moon-like hue and metal’s history and glamor make it a favorite choice for anyone looking for luxury with a lower price tag. However, note that even though it’s harder than pure silver, sterling silver is considered a softer metal that may get scratched easily. So you’ll need to polish and clean your ring regularly.

Titanium 

Titanium is growing increasingly popular, especially for men’s rings. This metal was only used for industrial applications as it’s firm but also extremely lightweight, perfect for anyone not used to wearing jewelry daily. Besides its modern and unique look, it’s scratch-resistant and easy to maintain. 

There’s no extra care to keep titanium looking as beautiful as it did on your wedding day. The only downside is that it cannot be resized easily, so make sure to have the right size before you order.

Tungsten

Experts say that Tungsten is the most scratch-resistant option that’s highly affordable. It’s also the most durable metal, up to four times stronger than titanium. Tungsten is a pure element that revolutionized the world in the early 1900s. Back then, it was used in lightbulbs to replace carbon-filament lamps and also became essential material for wedding bands. 

Like titanium, tungsten is easy to maintain but can’t be resized easily, so decide your ring size carefully. Also, tungsten is tough and doesn’t tarnish. It’s brittle and may fracture when dropped or knocked on a hard surface.