When you are shopping for an engagement ring, you will not only decide on the cut, clarity, color and carat weight of the diamond but on the type of gold or platinum in the band. And, the gold in your wedding bands will usually match. The most frequent choices for these bands are 14K gold and 18K gold. Before you decide which is right for you, here is some useful information.
Karat vs. Carat
Karat is the term used to tell us what the gold content of your engagement ring is. Carat has to do with the weight of your diamond. Pure gold is 24K. But pure gold is a soft metal that bends and scratches easily. So, gold is mixed with other metals (called alloys) to produce a harder metal but one that still has the beauty of pure gold. You will see subtle color differences from one karat grade to the next. The most common karat grades for engagement and wedding rings are 14K and 18K.
Choosing 14K Gold For Your Rings
If you or your significant other works with your hands and are likely to expose your ring to more wear and tear, you ought to consider 14K instead of 18K. A 14K gold band is less likely to become scratched by contact with rough surfaces. A side benefit of making this choice is that your ring will be less expensive. This is because your 14K ring has a lower gold content. An excellent choice for a soft yellow gold hue is to buy 14K gold bands for your rings.
Reasons for Choosing 18K Gold For Your Rings
If you or your significant other has metal allergies, a higher gold content is a good idea. Your 18K gold ring will be brighter than a 14K band and the lower alloy content of your ring will protect you from skin irritation and rashes.
Ring Design and Your Choice of 14K vs. 18K Gold
Some of the more exciting settings for engagement rings need the extra strength of 14K gold as opposed to shinier but softer 18K gold. Our jewelers may suggest this choice to protect a complicated setting and the higher grade diamonds it holds.
Color Grade of Your Diamond and Choice of 14K vs. 18K Gold
When you choose a diamond you may wish to buy a stone with a higher carat weight but will then have to choose a slightly lower color grade. Here 18K gold is an excellent choice as the brighter gold helps the diamond appear colorless and of a higher color grade! Both yellow and rose gold (as opposed to white gold) have this effect allowing you to drop down one or two color grades to allow for a higher carat weight and stay within your budget.If you need help choosing 14K or 18K gold wedding bands or an engagement ring, come to ID Jewelry in the New York City Diamond District just a three-minute walk from Rockefeller Center.