14k White Gold Vs 18k White Gold Engagement Ring
This is equivalent to 950 parts per thousand of pure metal.
14k white gold vs 18k white gold engagement ring. 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. Platinum is about 60 heavier than 14k gold and about 40 heavier than 18k gold. The platinum used for making engagement rings and wedding bands typically has a higher purity than 14k or 18k gold. In 18k gold the exact same ring costs 680.
If so a 14k gold ring may be the right fit. 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. Density platinum is a very dense metal and much heavier than gold. 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.
Gold naturally tarnishes scratches and bends over time. 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. The same ring in 18k white gold costs a whopping 620. There s also a difference in color.
That s because it has a higher percentage of the other metals mixed in to make it harder and more durable. The material used for making jewelry is typically above 950 sterling. Do not get 24k gold. 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.
White gold will become yellowish over time. 14k white gold is more durable than 18k white gold. 24k is too soft for fine jewelry. To get an idea of the price difference you can expect take a look at this example.
For example this 2mm solitaire engagement ring from james allen costs 560 when 14k gold is chosen as the metal. This simple solitaire setting on james allen costs 180 for 14k white gold. White gold rings are composed of gold alloys and a rhodium plating which gives it a white look that s very similar to platinum. Most durable and doesn t fade over time.
18k is used for fine jewelry which 14k gold is more every day wear. 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 of the high gold content 18k gold is the most expensive.