Yellow Gold Engagement RingsClassical yellow gold engagement rings have been a popular choice with couples for centuries. If you are searching for a yellow gold diamond engagement ring or gemstone ring, find out below what types of gold are appropriate for daily well plus popular styles and shopping tips. 14K and 18K Gold Engagement Rings The best types of gold for yellow or white gold engagement rings are 18K and 14K gold. Anything below 14K will, in many cases, fail to hold up well to a lifetime of daily wear. Additionally, lower karat gold engagement rings are generally made with lower standards of craftsmanship – the bands are often thinner and the settings will not stand up to the test of time. Couples often ask “Which is better, 18K gold engagement rings or 14K gold engagement rings?” For the most part, 18K yellow gold rings are usually made with the highest standards of craftsmanship, and they are often more durable than 14K yellow gold engagement rings. It is a common misconception that 14K gold is more durable than 18K gold, but this is often not the case. The durability of these metals will depend on the type of metal alloy used to create the ring, and the thickness of the band, plus the workmanship which went into the creation of the ring. The table below shows the Vicker’s Hardness (HV) values – a measure of resistance to scratching – for common alloys used to create yellow gold engagement rings.
On the whole, 18K yellow gold has a higher resistance to scratching – but the differences between 18K and 14K gold are not overly large. Some types of 14K yellow gold alloys are also slightly more scratch resistant than 18K yellow gold alloys. In either case, they are both durable enough to create long lasting engagement rings, but 18K gold usually has a slight edge over 14K gold. Popular Styles of Yellow Gold Engagement Rings Popular styles today in gold engagement rings include the elegant solitaire yellow gold diamond engagement ring and the channel set engagement ring which displays an array of diamonds around the band. The best diamond cut for center diamonds on yellow gold diamond engagement rings is the brilliant round. This is because the brilliant round displays the maximum amount of fire and brilliance over any other diamond cut or shape. Because yellow gold can have a slight dimming effect on set diamonds (unlike platinum, palladium or white gold rings which often enhance a diamond’s fire and brilliance), a cut or shape that maximizes fire and brilliance will still have a dazzling effect against a yellow gold background. If you are interested in square diamonds, cuts which offer the highest amount of brilliance and fire in a square shape include the radiant and princess cuts. For gemstone engagement rings, classic gemstones which look especially complimentary with yellow gold include emeralds, rubies and especially blue topaz. If you are searching for an affordable yellow gold engagement ring, look for a 14K gold diamond engagement ring made with a smaller center diamond. Rings made with 14K gold are usually priced a few hundred or more dollars lower than 18K gold rings, and if a smaller diamond is chosen the savings can add up. For couples on a really tight budget, check into durable diamond simulant engagement rings made with yellow gold like those which can be found through Diamond Nexus Labs. Shopping Tips & Precautions for Yellow Gold Engagement Rings Reputable jewelers and jewelry companies will always provide a GIA, AGS or IGI diamond certification with the purchase of your ring, regardless of whether you are buying an 18K diamond engagement ring or a 14K gold diamond engagement ring. Keep in mind that an 18K or 14K stamp on the inside of a ring does not provide any extra assurance of the value or gold content in the ring, unless the stamp is accompanied by a maker’s mark. With the right tools, anyone can place a stamp on the inside of a gold ring – but a maker’s mark provides assurance that the creator of the ring is ready to stand by the ring’s content. Beware of yellow gold plate engagement rings. These types of rings are manufactured with extremely cheap materials, and the plates are exceedingly thin – so much so that the plate often begins to wear away within weeks to months of wear. As with any type of engagement ring purchase, make sure you have at least a no-nonsense 30-day return policy with the ring – just in case.
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