White Gold Engagement Rings – Popular Choices for a Modern Engagement
White Gold remains the most popular precious metal. Today we highlight 6 very good reasons. In recent years, we have seen the value rise above Platinum. Confidence in Gold remains higher than many other investments. This confidence in Gold extends across the jewellery industry. To this day, White Gold remains a rock solid choice for a diamond ring. The following are all reasons why White Gold being is a very popular choice.
Metal value
White Gold retains its core value. Why else would World investors put money into Gold. Even the scrap value of Gold remains high. An item cost however is usually less than Platinum owing to the lower density (30% less for Gold.) It has a comparatively lower weight compared to Platinum.
Versatility
Whether you are incorporating diamonds, or choosing plain metal jewellery, Gold is versatile. It is available across a great many types of jewellery. Both White and Yellow Gold will work with Platinum alone or in combination. 18ct White Gold has 75% pure Gold, denoted with the 750 hallmark. 9ct White Gold has 37.5% Gold, with a hallmark bearing the number 375. It is a myth that 9ct Gold is harder than 18ct Gold. Metals alloyed with the Gold, decide the hardness. 9ct Gold caters at volume for the mass market. The alloys are often less expensive and softer than alloys added to more expensive 18ct Gold alloys. For this reason 18ct White Gold is harder wearing.
Strength
18ct White Gold provides the strength and security ideal for diamond settings. Although Platinum is also a popular choice, 18ct White Gold offers a perfect medium to set diamonds into. Alternative metals such as Palladium need heavier, more robust claws to offer the same level of security that 18ct White Gold already offers. Gold is more bendable than Platinum which is more likely to crack. For this reason, some would argue Gold has properties that make it a good choice above Platinum. Alloys with more than 75% Gold (ie. More Gold content than 18ct White Gold) is softer and less popular for engagement rings.
Finish
White Gold engagement rings receive a finish of protective Rhodium plate to the polished surface of the metal. This actually provides the whitest finish of all. The finish is also far more scratch resistant than Platinum. It is true that the Rhodium plating wears away over time to show the natural colour of the white gold, but this is re-applied with relative ease. Actually whiter than Platinum would you believe? For white diamonds, this blisteringly white finish is ideal. It ensures the brightness and brilliance from both the diamonds and mirror polish of the finished ring. White Gold can also be satin finished, and Rhodium plated to offer the same level of whiteness over a matte surface.
Workability
For most aspects of ring maintenance, including resizing, 18ct White Gold is a wonderful choice. Gold manufactures with relative ease and is far more easily worked than other popular choices such as Palladium. This is also a key reason in the great popularity of Gold.
Choice
It makes perfect sense, that since Gold is the most popular metal for engagement rings, there will be many more designs available in this metal. Virtually every ring we produce is available in 18ct White Gold, because with Palladium we are careful about which engagement ring designs it is available in, on account of issues with manufacture and availability. The following are all extremely popular white gold engagement rings, always available in White Gold.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.
