White Gold Engagement Rings: Timeless Or Tacky?
White gold is the most popular metal choice for engagement rings today. It’s no wonder why: this stunning, shiny metal somplements diamond and moissanite center stones beautifully and offers reliable durability.
Let’s take a look at white gold is made of - spoiler alert, it’s not pure gold! - and what makes it so special. And help you decide if a white gold engagement ring is in your future.
What is white gold?
White gold is considered a gold alloy, meaning it’s a combination of pure gold and other metals that have a more silver-to-white tone, like silver or palladium. Since pure gold by itself isn’t durable enough to be worn regularly as jewelry, it’s combined with other metals for added strength. These added metals give softer pure gold more rigidity, as well as its more pale, white color.
Rhodium plating
White gold engagement rings are usually plated with rhodium. Rhodium is a precious metal related to platinum applied as a coating on white gold jewelry. Rhodium plating protects the gold beneath, adding to its durability, and adds a shiny white sheen to its surface. This coating both protects and adds to the beauty of white gold engagement rings.
What’s so special about white gold?
White gold is the most popular metal used in engagement rings. It looks similar to both platinum and silver, but is more cost effective than platinum and more durable than silver. For those who like whiter, more silvery jewelry, more than the look of yellow gold, a white gold engagement ring is the perfect choice.
Pure gold is combined with stronger metals to create white gold than those combined to make yellow gold. So, white gold engagement rings are more resistant to scratching than yellow gold rings. Those who are looking for the most durable engagement ring will find their answer in white gold.
Since white gold has a neutral coloration, it’s perfect as a setting for diamonds and moissanite alike. A white gold engagement ring has a timeless look, and can be paired with other silver toned jewelry for a polished overall look.
Keyzar’s Kamellie looks classic and refined in white gold, as a solitaire setting that will let your center stone take center stage. For a look that’s big on bling, the diamond accents along the band of the Scattered Mia look stunning against a white gold setting.
Why shouldn’t I choose a white gold engagement ring?
While white gold engagement rings are super popular, they’re not right for everyone. If you prefer jewelry with a warmer, more golden hue, the silvery tones of a white gold engagement ring might not appeal to you. If that’s the case, yellow gold might be a better option for you.
Generally, a white gold engagement ring won’t conceal a low color grade diamond like a yellow gold setting would. Imperfections and diamond color are more visible with a white gold setting. So if you’re option for a less clear diamond or it has a lower color grade, consider opting for a yellow gold setting instead.
White gold vs. yellow gold
White gold and yellow gold not only look different, but have different metal compositions as well. However, 18k white gold and 18k yellow gold both have the same amount of gold in them, as do 14k varieties. Keyzar offers white gold engagement rings as well as yellow gold at the same price. So the main deciding factor between white and yellow gold is whether you prefer a silvery metal or a golden toned ring.
You might feel that white gold suits your skin tone better than yellow gold. Or maybe white gold matches more of the jewelry that you regularly wear. You can compare white gold engagement ring settings with yellow gold settings here, and see which look you like best.
How to choose a white gold engagement ring
When it comes to choosing a white gold engagement ring, the options are seemingly endless. Since white gold looks fantastic with a diamond or moissanite center stone of any shape, you can choose whichever setting best matches your personal style.
At Keyzar, you can create a custom white gold engagement ring online in a few simple steps:
1) Browse our selection of white gold settings and choose your favorite. We offer white gold engagement ring settings in a variety of styles, including pave, halo, side stone, and even bezel settings.
2) Choose your center stone. You’ll find an extensive selection of lab grown diamonds, natural diamonds, and moissanite to pair with your white gold engagement ring setting.
3) View your complete ring online. Once you choose your setting and center stone, you can view the ring you’ve designed on the Keyzar website. This way, you can see what it would look like and decide if it’s the right look for you!
You can repeat this design process with different settings and center stone shapes and see what you like best. Here are a few of our favorite settings that look stunning in white gold: Our Pave Alex setting features a band studded with pave diamonds, adding 0.44 carats to your ring. The silvery tones of this white gold engagement ring setting bring out the sparkle and brilliance of the pave diamonds and center stone.
For an enchanting, whimsical white gold setting, try the Twig. This setting features a band that looks like elegantly intertwined twigs with diamond accents, and puts a unique twist on a traditional white gold engagement ring.
The history of white gold
Platinum engagement rings were the “gold standard” for engagement rings for many years. But during World War II, platinum started to be used for war materials rather than for rings. As this point, white gold began to increase in popularity and more and more jewelers started to offer white gold engagement rings.
Jewelers found that white gold was actually easier to repair than platinum and even polished better. Since platinum and white gold look extremely similar, the metal has remained a popular choice ever since.
Conclusion
White gold is a silvery gold alloy that is the top choice for engagement ring settings. White gold engagement rings are at once classic and modern, and have a platinum look that makes them so beloved. This versatile metal makes for a beautiful setting that will showcase the sparkle of your center stone.
Browse Keyzar’s selection of white gold engagement rings here…
