Choosing the Right Metal for Your Ring

There are many things you need to think about when you’re buying an engagement or wedding ring. One of the trickiest things is working out your partner’s ring size (here’s a useful guide to help you with that). But as well as that, you need to carefully choose the best ring style to suit their hand and select a type of diamond they’ll love. As if that wasn’t enough, you also need to choose the right type of metal for the ring.

At Lorel Diamonds, our rings come in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, platinum, and palladium. While sparkling diamonds are usually the stars of the show in every engagement or wedding ring, it’s the band that brings everything together. Because of this, the type of metal you opt for will shape the ring’s look and also impact how the diamonds appear.

So you get it the right first time, take our advice on how to pick the best metal when shopping for an engagement or wedding ring.

Yellow gold

Yellow gold is the type of metal most people think of when they picture a gold ring. We create our yellow gold by combining pure gold with alloys like copper and zinc. This type of precious metal is known for its spectacular sheen, dazzling colour, and striking appearance. It’s the best choice if you want to create a traditional ring for someone with a vintage style.

It’s also worth noting that yellow gold is the most hypoallergenic of all golds. This makes it an excellent choice if your partner has sensitive skin.

White gold

We create our white gold by blending yellow gold with alloys like silver and palladium. This creates a metal with a yellow or light grey hue. After this, we plate the metal in rhodium, giving it a glamorous silver-looking finish that compliments cool skin tones and is very durable.

The only downside of a white gold ring is that the rhodium plating needs to be reapplied regularly to keep the ring looking its best. But this small hassle is usually worth it for the chance to have such a beautiful ring. 

Rose gold

Rose gold has a wonderfully feminine, unique look that combines timeless elegance with modern style. We create this precious metal by combining pure gold with copper. Just like white gold, rose gold rings are excellent at resisting tarnishing. But unlike white gold, rose gold rings don’t need to have their plating reapplied, making them the lower maintenance option.

Sadly, some people are allergic to copper. So it’s important you find out if your partner has any copper allergies before opting for a rose gold ring.

Platinum

Platinum has an incredible natural white colour and is guaranteed to never fade, making it one of the most popular types of metal for rings. We create our platinum by combining 95% pure platinum with 5% alloy, usually cobalt.

Although platinum is very strong and hard-wearing, it is prone to scratching over time, the same as any other precious metal. But a professional jeweller can help you keep on top of maintenance. Thanks to their purity, platinum rings are incredibly hypoallergenic and their strength makes engravings look clear and defined.

Palladium

Made with a blend of 95% palladium and 5% alloy (usually ruthenium), palladium is a cheaper alternative to platinum. While both these metals have many of the same qualities, palladium is significantly lighter and cheaper. Palladium is a great choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance ring that works equally well with colourless diamonds and colourful gemstones.

Keep it personal

Buying jewellery for someone else is never easy. While it may be tempting to go with the most popular style or a ring that you like, it’s important you keep your partner in mind when ring shopping. Choose a style of ring that not only suits their hand and skin tone but also aligns with their style and their other jewellery. This way, you can’t go wrong!