Today, you’ll get to know why a white gold engagement ring is an ideal choice for you.
Apart from the other precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, another metal gaining prominence among the buyers for their jewelry needs is white gold. It is nothing but an alloy of pure gold having some other metals like nickel, zinc, silver, palladium, etc. mixed in a small proportion to get some extra strength and durability.
Like the yellow metal, you will have different carats in white gold like 10k (41.7% gold), 14k (58.3 gold), 18k (75% gold), and 24k (100% gold).
Of these, the 18k is the most “ideal” and perfect model due to its unmatched beauty, great durability, and affordability. And White Gold with this marking is preferably used in the making of white gold engagement rings. To know more about these white gold engagement rings in detail, read further.
Table of Contents
History of white gold engagement rings
Before WW2, white engagement rings were crafted from platinum instead of the silver owing to its tarnishing nature when exposed to air and moisture. Also, with weaponry made of platinum proving beneficial for the military personnel during the war, its usage got halted for the jewelry and it started getting immensely used in the weaponry.
This marked the beginning of the usage of its alternative i.e. white gold in the wedding bands which came to be known as white gold engagement rings. It is cheaper, readily available, and harder than platinum.
Which carat is the best for white gold engagement rings?
As the carat value signifies the amount of real gold relative to the other metals, it is crucial to put hands on the best carat of white gold. In the United States, you’re more likely to discover either 14k or 18k white gold engagement rings. As 14k white gold engagement rings are more economical and popular, nearly 85-90% of the engagement rings in the US are 14k with only a small proportion of the population having an 18k white gold engagement ring due to its high price.
This doesn’t mean that neither of the two stands on all your expectations like price, amount of gold, strength, etc. A basic thumb rule says that if your engagement ring has a fine and detailed design, go for a 14k one and if it’s not so detailed, an 18k white gold would go fine. Remember that 18k gold being flexible and delicate will cause the fine design bent.
How much does a white gold engagement ring cost?
The cost of an engagement ring will depend upon various factors like the type of engagement ring setting, carat weight, cut, and making process. Taking everything into consideration, prepare yourself to spend anything between $300-$4500.
What are the pros and cons of a white gold engagement ring?
The following are the pros and cons of a White gold engagement ring.
Pros
Expense
One of the main advantages of having white gold as the base metal is that its low price allows the couple to spend more on their ring’s gemstones like diamonds. On calculation, a white gold metal band costs around 1/4th of the price of the same band having platinum or any other precious metal as its base metal.
Durability
White gold, being lighter in weight than platinum and stronger & durable than the real gold, is perfect for an engagement ring. Since, it’s scratch-resistant, you can wear it daily, or while doing tough activities.
Appearance
For women, white gold’s exemplary and elegant appearance enables them to pair it with any of their outfits without causing any fashion fuss. Moreover, it accentuates the brilliance of the key gemstones like ruby, sapphire, and diamond instead of overpowering it like pure gold. Hence, most of the women prefer white gold engagement rings.
Cons
Even white gold has its own flaws like:
Allergies
It’s a well-known fact that nickel is a major metal alloyed with white gold. As nearly 20-25% of the world’s population is allergic to it, any contact between it and your skin may lead to skin allergies, itching, rashes, etc. Hence, if you belong to that 20-25% of the population, it’s better to have a palladium white gold engagement ring rather than the nickel one. Although it will cost you more, it won’t lead to any allergy(s).
Sensitivity to chlorine
Be it pure gold, rose gold, or even white gold, all grades of gold are sensitive to water containing higher amounts of chlorine, like a hot tub and swimming pool. It causes pitting, discoloration, and dissolution of the white gold leading to its wear and tear. Hence, it’s advisable to avoid stepping into water with your white gold engagement ring on.
Mistaken identity
Most of the white gold engagement ring buyers complain of being handed a ring made of sterling or real silver instead of white gold due to similarities in their appearances and textures. Hence, be cautious while paying for your engagement ring.
FAQs
How much does a white gold engagement ring cost?
The cost of an engagement ring will depend upon various factors like the type of engagement ring setting, carat weight, cut, and making process. Taking everything into consideration, prepare yourself to spend anything between $300-$4500.
Why white gold is the best choice for engagement rings?
It highlights the grandeur of the stone in the ring as it doesn’t reflect its color. It helps the wearer honor the tradition of an engagement ring without negotiating on its beauty.
Why white gold has a lower resale value?
Being an alloy of pure gold, the white gold’s resale value decreases with time making it a poor investment.
Why is the use of platinum in engagement rings not promoted?
As platinum is extremely rare and more expensive than pure gold, it’s not promoted for engagement rings. Further, owing to its immense popularity in the weaponry, its usage is heavily limited so as to not create its deficit.
