Rules Of Engagement

Now that you’ve found the diamond, it’s time to decide what band material is going to be lucky enough to hold it. There are 4 major categories that you will want to focus on although the most popular is platinum or white gold. Although this decision rides mostly on budget, you will want to focus on quality as well. Since the idea is that the diamond lasts forever, we want to find a band material that will also. It will also be helpful to educate yourself in these now so when picking out the wedding band, you’ll be a pro at this.

Platinum - is the most durable, most reliable for a loose diamond setting because the prongs will not chip and wear the same as other metals. Overtime, other metals will lose their durability and could need to be replaced. The easiest to maintain, she will only need to clean with soap and water and can use a soft bristled brush to gently bring it back to its original luster. This is the priciest of materials, but makes up for it in durability and quality.

Gold – Gold will not tarnish, rust, or corrode although it is malleable, meaning a band made of 100% gold would be too soft to wear. For this reason, the gold is mixed with other metals to become stronger. This is where we get karats come from. Karatage is noted by a number which indicates its purity. For instance, 24K is 100% gold and would be too soft to wear. A 14 or 18 karat gold band is recommended for bands. The color of gold is determined by the metal which it is combined with along with the percentage of gold included. For a strong gold color, go for 18k. If you are more concerned about durability, opt for 14k.

White Gold – In order to make white gold, a yellow gold ring is taken and plated with rhodium, a shiny metal which is extremely hard. Choosing between yellow and white gold will come down to what your bride prefers, so try to be sneaky and observant. Most women are very picky when it comes to this! It is possible for the plating to wear away and reveal the yellow gold underneath. To remedy this, it is quite easy and a simple re-plating will be done. With the process, the band looks brand new and it is quite inexpensive to have done.

Silver – Although silver is very durable, it will be difficult to find an engagement ring with a silver band. If you plan on having a band which is silver, most likely you will need to order the band separately, then have it set with the diamond. When selecting silver, sterling silver is recommended, which is the highest quality due to very little copper being added.

Whichever metal you choose, be sure you are choosing the highest quality of that metal. Don’t be afraid to ask about the quality of metal when buying and inspect the band closely to look for stamps of quality. Most of all try to find out which metal she prefers and try to combine this with your budget. Happy hunting!

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