Disadvantages Of 14k Gold
14K gold is popular for a reason: for most people, its the best choice. However, it does have a few small disadvantages.
First, to some people, 14K gold isnt quite as aesthetically pleasing as 18K gold. Although it has a rich and impressive color, the appearance of 14K gold isnt quite as strong as that of 18K gold due to its lower gold purity level.
Second, although its unlikely with either type of gold, 14K gold is slightly more likely to result in skin allergies than 18K gold. If your fiancé-to-be is allergic to silver, copper, nickel, zinc, or iron, this could be a point in 18K golds favor.
Disadvantages Of 18k Gold
Unfortunately, 18K golds biggest advantage its purity is also its biggest disadvantage. Due to its higher percentage of pure gold, 18K gold is quite noticeably softer and easier to scratch or dent than 14K gold.
This means that if your fiancé-to-be works with her hands or has an active lifestyle, an 18K gold ring might not be the best choice.
Another disadvantage of 18K gold is its price. As we briefly mentioned above, 18K gold costs a fair amount more than 14K gold, with most 18K gold engagement rings priced at 150% to 200% as much as their 14K counterparts.
Do 14k And 18k Gold Rings Look Different
Yes, and for many, this might be the deciding factor. Fact is, 18 karat gold has a darker and more orange-colored shine Smith described it as a more yellow, radiant quality whereas 14 karat gold is more silvery with a light shine.
Differences are most noticeable, of course, in yellow and rose gold, where the rich color is desirable and sought out. White gold rings dont tend to vary in color based on purity. Sometimes rings show a mix of golds, too.
Note that the differences in shine you see when looking at rings at the jewelers wont be as pronounced once the rings are no longer side by side. If you are unsure which band you want, ask the jeweler if you can try both on . Although the 14 karat ring looks a little less rich when it is in the case next to its 18 karat sibling, you may find that once it is on your finger it looks better than the more expensive option.
Read Also: Father Speech To Son At Wedding
K Yellow Gold Single Diamond Wedding Band
Gold Karat: 18k
Ring Face Width : 4 mm
Gem Type: Diamond
A PERFECT GIFT: This Jewelry is a perfect gift for a Birthday, Engagement, Weddings, Valentines Day, Graduation, Anniversary, and more! Ready to surprise your partner, wife, fiancee, mom, daughter, or girlfriend. Our mission at Finest Gold Gallery is to celebrate our customers and enhance their life journey, honoring lifes memorable occasions and enhancing the beauty of every day through our extensive collection of quality jewelry. Real Gold. NOT gold plated or filled. The product is made of 100% high-quality gold, Quality controls were carried out. 18k Yellow Gold Single Diamond Wedding Band
| Brand |
|---|
What Type Of Gold Is Best For Your Wedding Ring
Gold has always been a popular choice when it comes to wedding bands. Made in various shades and various karats, its important to know the ins and outs of our choices before we decide whether to invest in a 10K rose gold design or a 24K white gold band.
This is your forever and ever piece of jewelry, so make sure you learn exactly what youre buying into before you make the final decision.
Don’t Miss: How Do You Insure A Wedding Ring
Questions Weve Got Answers
The above listings are based only on either Seller’s listing information or Etsy marketplace data.
“Bestseller:” This listing is a bestseller in the specific category.
“Free Shipping:” Information based on the seller’s listing. See listing for more details.
“On Sale”: Sales terms vary subject to availability and change. See individual listings for details.
“Handmade”: Information based on the seller’s listing. See listing for more details.
Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers.
Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Good news! Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items.
To personalize an item:
Donât see this option? The seller might still be able to personalize your item. Try contacting them via Messages to find out!
Finding The Right Rings For You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. Theyve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bvlgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings well, specifically, Queen Victorias illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald . Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Don’t Miss: How To Become A Wedding Officiant In Nj
Different Karats Different Gold Weight
Gold is a heavy metal. Since 18Kt has a greater percentage of gold than does 14Kt, if two rings have the exact same width and the exact same dimensions, the 18Kt ring will be heavier.
Some people like the feel of the extra weight of 18Kt gold. My husbands hammered comfort fit style wedding band is made of 18Kt gold and he likes the weightiness of it.
Catbird Classic Wedding Band
Catbird jewelry is the go-to for “it girls” and style icons, and the price point on their classic wedding band cant be denied. If youre looking for a sleek, slim gold band, their unisex half-round band will check all your boxes. Its also available in rose gold, white gold, and platinum!
Read Also: How To Print My Own Wedding Invitations
Pros And Cons Of Gold Bands
Like a little black dress, gold pairs well with anything and is incredibly versatile. Pretty much every gemstone looks great paired with a classic gold band, Thies says. Having a classic gold band in your collection is the perfect alternative solution to wear alone when traveling or when you have a softer gemstone engagement ring like morganite, opal, and emerald gemstone rings. Those particular gemstones can get damaged easily due to their lack of strength. Having a gold band that you can wear all the time is the perfect solution.
Thies says that many setting styles work with the classic gold band and calls it a staple in anyones collection, so the sky is truly the limit for your unique ring stack or vibe.
However, if youre captivated by the idea of wearing a vintage ring, there are a few details you should consider. She explains, You want to make sure they still have a lifespan for daily wear. Look for signs of deterioration. Pitting and thinning are a couple obvious signs that the gold is breaking down. Thin and worn bands can crack and break.
What Does 18k Gold Actually Mean
If gold is described as 18 carats, it means that it’s a combination of 75% 24k gold and 25% other metals. These additional metals in the alloy are there to give the ring strength and hardness, as gold on its own is a very soft metal. Most gold wedding rings are either 9k or 18k. If you want a higher percentage of gold in your ring, go for an 18k gold ring. It will still be durable and tough enough to stand up to everyday wear.
Also Check: Neil Lane Mens Wedding Band
Karat Gold Wedding Band
-
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
$1,500.00
Add to Favorites -
$108.00
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites -
$617.86
Add to Favorites -
FREE shipping
Add to Favorites
A Quality Wedding Ring Is About More Than Price
As weve learned, you can spend a lot more on a pure gold band but end up with a longer-lasting piece of jewelry by choosing a 10k or 14k piece. Dont be blinded by dollar signs in either direction. Weigh your pros and cons, weigh your likes and dislikes and dont make rash decisions about a piece of jewelry that you want to last a lifetime.
And you also have to think about whether or not you want a band with embellishments. Do you want to add diamonds, or even some sapphires? This is all included in the decision and the kind of ring you want. You may have a ring thats worth a lot in cash, but you could also end up with something thats too precious to endure years of adornment.
Don’t Miss: His And Her 3 Piece Wedding Ring Sets
Different Karats Different Speed Of Scratching Gold
18Kt gold scratches more easily than 14Kt gold, because it has more pure gold and gold is a relatively soft metal. For this reason, you might expect to have to polish an 18Kt ring more often than one made in 14Kt.
This would be for more modern setting designs. For rustic or antiquity inspired designs the scratches add to the beauty and patina of your ring.
In White Gold, both 14Kt and 18Kt hold their shine quite well, especially when compared to how quickly platinum metal scratches. Generally white gold holds its shiny look longer than yellow gold. This is due to the strong white metal alloys mixed in with the gold.
Kt Vs 18kt Gold Different Strengths Of Gold
14Kt gold is usually stronger than 18Kt gold because of the greater percentage of harder alloy metals in its makeup.
For this reason, its often better to use 14Kt in intricately designed jewelry, especially when setting lots of little diamonds in tiny prongs. The 14Kt prongs will be stronger than 18Kt ones.
Also Check: Things I Wish I Put On My Wedding Registry
Advantages Of 18k Gold
18K golds biggest advantage is its purity. As the purest form of gold thats practical to use in an engagement ring, an 18K gold ring offers the gorgeous appearance of near-pure gold with most of the practical benefits of an alloy.
This extra purity can be especially obvious with 18K yellow or rose gold, which tends to show a warmer, more vibrant tone in 18K than in 14K gold.
The higher purity level of 18K gold also makes it less likely to trigger skin allergies than 14K or 10K gold. Although 18K gold still contains nickel and other alloy metals, theyre only present in small quantities, making the risk of contact dermatitis or other allergic reactions very small.
What The Karats Mean And How It Effects The Cost Of Your Ring
First of all 24 karat gold is 100% gold. It is such a soft metal that it is impractical to use in its pure form. By combining it with harder metals and cutting its soft purity, it can be used to create jewelry that can last a lifetime. Also see my blog post: Carats, Karats and Carrots!
The most common ways a jewelry designer uses gold is to alloy it with stronger metals such as silver and copper. When creating a 14Kt. gold alloy we are creating a 58% pure gold mixture that is strong enough for jewelry creation. When we create 18Kt. gold we alloy the pure gold with 25% alloy metals to create 75% pure gold. The alloy metals that make up the remaining percentages are worth considerably less than the gold and normally arent considered in the pricing when buying a piece of jewelry.
With the greater percentage of gold, 18Kt jewelry will cost more than similar looking 14Kt jewelry. Since gold is now trading at over $1,200 an ounce, there can be a significant difference between 14Kt and 18Kt gold in terms of the cost of your wedding ring.
Read Also: What To Ask When Touring A Wedding Venue
How Much Do Gold Rings Cost
Sure, you could pay less than $100 and get a ring that is technically made with gold. Amazon even offers 10K gold , in addition to 14K, 18K, and 24K.
But dedicated ring shops will offer a better shopping experience because they allow you to play with ring-specific criteria and adjust the results of a search and because there is usually a real person available to help you via chat, email or phone call. One thing to keep in mind: The value of gold changes so what we quote below was true as of the moment we published. And that means, yup, prices are subject to change.
A ring with more alloy metal and less gold is generally less expensive. However, there are weight and design factors to consider as well. This 5mm comfort-fit band from Blue Nile costs $750 in 14 karat white gold and $1,090 for the 18K yellow gold option . However, you could wind up paying more for a 14K band if, for example, it is shaped into a more intricately worked ring, as with this twisted matte and polish design . The price difference between two similar bands can be pretty significant, so starting your ring shopping with a budget in mind is a great idea.
A 14K white gold low-dome comfort-fit wedding ring will run you $750 while the 18K yellow gold version goes for $1,090.
A matte and polish twist wedding ring is shown below in 14K yellow gold and 14K white gold . Both are priced at $1,190:
Classic:
Diamond:
Why We Dont Wear 24k Gold Rings
Tina Smith, jewelry collector and founder of Tina Smith Jewelry, told us that the easiest way to determine the gold used in a ring is to look for the marking. The karat is generally engraved inconspicuously on the inner ring of the band, said Smith. So, 24 karat gold is pure gold, but thats not very useful for rings. Pure gold has a very dark orange color, and it isnt the gold you are accustomed to seeing, so it may be aesthetically undesirable to you. The major reason we dont use pure gold in rings is that it tends to be too soft to use in jewelry soft metal will scratch or deform too easily in everyday use. Its also very expensive. Instead, gold is alloyed with silver, copper, or nickel to make a ring that wont degrade in day-to-day use.
Unlike engagement rings, mens wedding bands dont usually include a mounted stone. This means that lower karat golds, which are generally used for their strength in holding mounted stones, are not as popular. Without an expensive stone to hold, mens rings are generally made of softer, more shiny, 14 or 18 karat gold. 14 karat bands are 14/24ths pure gold and 18 karat bands are 18/24ths pure.
Recommended Reading: What Do You Get Your Groom For A Wedding Gift
Kt Vs 18kt Gold White Gold
14Kt white gold contains more of the alloys that give it its white color than does 18Kt white gold. For this reason, 14Kt white gold has a better chance at looking whiter.
On the other hand, since almost all white gold jewelry is rhodium plated, it doesnt make that much difference.
However in all my years of jewelry making, Ive observed that 14Kt white gold with its higher percentage of hardening alloys holds up better in tiny and intricate details than 18kK white gold. When a client of mine wants a white gold ring I generally suggest 14Kt white gold for its added strength.
Yellow Vs White Vs Rose
Consider your style.
- Yellow Traditionalists love a beautiful, yellow gold band. They can easily have a more vintage vibe as well, and they always carry a warmer tone with them.
- White Those with a more modern style usually choose a white gold design. Its a brighter, chicer and cooler-hued option.
- Rose Rose gold will always bring in a richer, warmer tone but its also the perfect choice for those with a quirkier, more untraditional style.
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
You May Like: How Much Do Fireworks Cost For A Wedding
