When you are shopping for an engagement ring for yourself or your partner, you are probably most concerned with the size, color, and clarity of the diamond (or another gemstone). This is normal, as the gem is usually the most featured element of the jewelry that immediately draws the eye. However, an engagement ring is many important parts combined to form a unique and beautiful piece of art. This means that you will need to carefully choose the color of the band as well.

However, if this is your first time buying an engagement ring, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. In addition to choosing the stone, you will need to decide on the overall design and, as previously mentioned, the material and color of the band. In today’s guide, we are going to focus on ring materials and colors. We will cover some of the most popular options and help you make a decision for your very own engagement ring!

Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Generally, pure 24-karat gold is not used for creating jewelry because it is too soft. It must be combined with metal alloys to harden the material. Pure gold is naturally yellow, but these alloys often give it a slightly softer yellow color that is preferable to most consumers. This soft yellow gold is one of the most common materials and colors for jewelry, particularly engagement rings.

This is not a recent development, either. Yellow gold jewelry dates as far back as 4,000 B.C.E. Some of the earliest examples of yellow gold have been excavated from sites in Egypt and the area that formerly encompassed Mesopotamia. In ancient times, yellow gold was only reserved for the most important figures in society, since it stood as a symbol of wealth and power. In addition to its natural beauty, yellow gold was also celebrated as a rare material that was difficult to find and turn into jewelry.

However, it wasn’t until centuries later that jewelers discovered how to combine pure gold with metal alloys to make stronger pieces of jewelry. This made yellow gold more affordable and more practical for many different types of jewelry, including engagement rings. As a result, yellow gold diamond rings remain one of the most popular choices on the market.

White Gold Engagement Rings

As the name implies, white gold is a type of gold that has a whiter, more silver-like color than yellow gold. This is done by combining yellow gold with metal alloys like silver or nickel. These specifically reduce the “yellow” quality of yellow gold without detracting from the quality of the material. In fact, mixing it with metals like silver or nickel can give the jewelry greater durability. However, you should make sure that you do not have an allergy to nickel, silver, or any other metal used in your ring.

White gold rings are typically coated with rhodium, which is in the same family as platinum. This helps give the material an even more brilliant appearance. You can even take older white gold rings to a jeweler to have them recoated with rhodium if they begin to look dull.

Unlike yellow gold, white gold has not been around for thousands of years. In fact, the oldest record of white gold dates back to the 19th century. While it is not quite as common as yellow gold, it has remained a popular engagement ring alternative material for more than 100 years.

Rose Gold Engagement Rings

If you paid attention to current trends in fashion, you likely noticed that rose gold has seen a substantial rise in popularity over the last decade. This is especially true of rose gold necklaces and rings. In fact, it is quickly becoming a major contender for the most popular engagement ring color, only trailing behind yellow and white gold.

Like white gold, rose gold has not been around for very long. It first came into existence in the 19th century when it was invented by Russian jeweler, Carl Faberge, who also happened to be the inventor of Faberge Eggs. Since then, rose gold has become increasingly common to see on a wide range of accessories, from engagement rings to wristwatches.

Rose gold uses a combination of yellow gold, copper, and silver. The copper helps gives rose gold its unique hue, as the combination of the red in copper and the yellow in gold give it a pink color. The silver gives it an extra shine to really help distinguish rose gold from any other color or material.

Black Gold Engagement Rings

Black gold utilizes yellow gold that has been combined and modified with varying alloys to be completely black. Generally, manufacturers use high amounts of cobalt to create the effect, while still using a majority of gold to maintain the quality of the material. More specifically, black gold usually needs a 3-to-1 ratio of gold with a metal alloy like cobalt to attain its black coloration.

Black gold engagement rings are created in a variety of ways, but one of the most common methods requires electroplating. The principal downside of electroplating is that it does not last forever. As the years go by, the plating will deteriorate, revealing the yellow gold underneath. This means you will eventually have to get your black gold engagement ring replated. Alternatively, you can also get black gold engagement rings made using laser treatments or oxidation.

Black gold engagement rings are not as popular as other colors, but they are still beautiful. They stand out from other engagement rings because they are not as common. So, if you really want a unique ring that draws attention, you can’t go wrong with a black gold engagement ring.

Platinum Engagement Rings

Platinum is considered one of the most valuable and refined materials to use for engagement rings. Though it will cost more than gold, it also offers a unique color that is similar in nature to silver. It is also naturally softer than gold, which means that it is more prone to scratches. This could end up costing you even more if your ring requires repairs.

Platinum is a great option for people with gold allergies or allergies to other alloys present in gold rings. Allergies to platinum are far less common, making it one of the safest options available to people who have had issues with other materials in the past. Also, platinum is considered one of the most precious of all jewelry metals. This means it is always a hot commodity.

As previously mentioned, platinum engagement rings will typically cost more than comparable gold rings. However, the size and cut of the stone will have a much greater impact on the price than the material used to make the ring. Plus, the natural brilliance of platinum often accounts for the difference in price; platinum’s naturally bright, white color creates stunning combinations with most stones, particularly white or yellow diamonds.

We hope you found this guide on engagement ring color both useful and informative! Are you in the market for diamond jewelry? Do you want beautiful, certified lab diamond engagement rings at competitive prices? If so, be sure to check out the luxurious products available at Liori Diamonds today!