14k White Gold Vs 18k White Gold Engagement Ring

One argument that we ve heard retail jewelers use to explain why they inventory 14k white gold engagement rings instead of 18k white gold engagement rings is that 14k white gold is more durable than 18k white gold but this is an argument which is kind of lame.

14k white gold vs 18k white gold engagement ring. The platinum used for making engagement rings and wedding bands typically has a higher purity than 14k or 18k gold. 14k white gold and 14k yellow gold have the same gold content and purity 58 5 gold but the alloys in white gold and the rhodium plating make it appear white while the alloys in yellow gold do not. This simple solitaire setting on james allen costs 180 for 14k white gold. Most durable and doesn t fade over time.

Because of its higher purity 18k white gold tends to look whiter and brighter than 14k white gold but you rarely see engagement rings in white gold that don t have rhodium plating. Because pure gold makes up 58 3 of the metal content of 14k gold an engagement ring made from 14k gold will usually cost slightly less than the same ring made from 18k gold. White gold will become yellowish over time. Platinum rings for engagement ring and weddings bands for both.

White gold rings are composed of gold alloys and a rhodium plating which gives it a white look that s very similar to platinum. 24k is too soft for fine jewelry. However compared to 18k gold 14k tarnishes more slowly and is more resistant to scratching bending and scuffing. Density platinum is a very dense metal and much heavier than gold.

The gold content of a 14k white gold piece of jewelry is 58 3 with the remaining 41 7 consisting of either palladium or nickel mixed with zinc and copper. If so a 14k gold ring may be the right fit. Gold naturally tarnishes scratches and bends over time. That s because it has a higher percentage of the other metals mixed in to make it harder and more durable.

In 18k gold the exact same ring costs 680. For example this 2mm solitaire engagement ring from james allen costs 560 when 14k gold is chosen as the metal. So if you have a ring made of 18k white gold and an identical sized one made of platinum the platinum ring will be almost one and half times heavier than the white gold ring. There s also a difference in color.

14k white gold is more durable than 18k white gold. 18k is used for fine jewelry which 14k gold is more every day wear. The gold content of an engagement ring or piece of jewelry made of 18k white gold is 75 which is also mixed with palladium or nickel as well as zinc and copper. To get an idea of the price difference you can expect take a look at this example.

This is equivalent to 950 parts per thousand of pure metal. Because of the high gold content 18k gold is the most expensive. Do not get 24k gold.