When it comes to buying a gold ring, do you know where to start? There are so many styles and options available let alone different colors of gold. At the Gold and Diamond Room, we have compiled this guide just for you to help with your gold ring buying experience!
What Karat Should It Be?
You’re probably thinking that carat was just for diamonds. For starters, they are spelled differently. A carat is a way to measure weight for stones, like diamonds. And karat is the way purity in gold is measured. So, they are both related to jewelry in some way.
When looking at karats for buying a gold ring, you will see numbers like 10k, 14k, 18k, and 24k. Depending on the purpose of your ring will depend on what karat you should get. 24k gold is the purest gold you can find for jewelry. But did you know that gold is a soft metal? This means that the purer the gold, the softer it will be. This means it can easily bend, scratch, and break over time.
If you are looking for something you can wear all the time, your best bet will be to buy 10k gold rings or other pieces that are worn daily. If you are looking for something that is ONLY worn on a special occasion, then put right away, you can splurge and go for that 24k gold ring! The lower the karat, the more durable the piece will be. It is common for gold rings for men to be 10k to 14k due to the durability.
White Gold ring with a 10K Hallmark on the left, inside the band
Each gold ring or other gold jewelry will have what is called a hallmark. This is usually stamped on the inside of gold rings or on the back of other jewelry. This is the way to tell what karat the gold is. For example, a ring that is a 10k gold ring will have a stamp on the inside of the band that will say 10k, or 10kt as shown above. Depending on where you live, you may also see a number instead such as 417, or 585 which is 14k.
If it’s Not Pure Gold, What Else Is It?
A 10k gold ring is going to be made up of 41.7% gold and then mixed with other metals. The other metals are likely not to be precious metals, but they are what allow for the durability you find in 10k and 14k gold rings. The most common alloys found in jewelry are nickel, iron, zinc, copper, and silver. The only issue one may have with these alloys would be an allergic reaction to the skin. When purchasing a 10k gold ring, know what alloys it is made of to ensure no allergic reactions will occur.
This leads us to gold plating and solid or filled gold. Both are exactly as they sound. A gold plating will be a coating of gold over a metal ring. For example, many rings are sterling silver with 10k gold plating. There are also rings that are higher karat metals that may still be plated. In cases such as these, it is to help with tarnishing, dulling, or scratching. Many sterling silver products are rhodium plated for more durability.
A filled or solid piece of jewelry is going to be all gold. I’m sure you have seen the term solid 18k gold at some point in your life. This means that the metal is not hollow and is in fact a solid piece. Solid and filled gold rings will cost significantly more than others due to the higher weight.
Ring Body & Settings
When it comes to looking at bands and settings, there are some things to watch out for. A band that is smaller, meaning thinner, will likely wear over time. This can cause the band to thin and possibly break. A thicker band will have fewer chances of wearing out.
Ever look at your grandma’s wedding ring, or ring she wears every day? Check out the band and see if the back is thinner than the rest of it! You might be surprised. The setting of a ring will be where stones are held. Gold Rings for Women will often have a gemstone, maybe a diamond? But the setting will be what sticks up from the band where the stone will sit.
Prongs are often used, but there are many styles of settings. It is important to know what the settings are made of because you want to be sure it is a strong metal that will not bend or break easily. Weaker or softer metals like 18k or 24k gold could possibly bend or break causing that beautiful stone to disappear. Mens gold rings are usually going to have thicker bands, and minimal prong settings compared to women’s rings.
What is Gold Worth?
The value of gold changes often. Throughout the day the value will change, much like the stock market. With the value ever-changing, it is important to look at the current value of gold when going to purchase a gold ring. This will help you determine you are paying a fair price.
Isn’t A Gold Ring Just Gold?
When you think of gold, you think of that rich yellow color. But gold is more than just yellow. There is Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, and the rare Green Gold. Each gold color is going to be mixed with something to make up the color (except yellow gold). Yellow gold is the standard, and all other colors derive from that. But white gold is made up of different metals including silver, palladium, and nickel.
With this type of gold, it is stronger and a high contender for choices among gold rings for women. Rose gold is a pinkish color, which is where it gets its name. To get this color, copper is added to the gold. Most often, you will find 14k rose gold. Green gold is rare when mined, and is called electrum. It can also be created. To get the green hue, silver is added to the gold.
Taking Care of Your Gold Ring
You have finally made your purchase; you want to be sure it gets taken care of the right way. Follow these basic tips for cleaning and storage!
- If the gold ring is 18k or 24k, don’t wear it all the time. This will cause it to wear more quickly and possibly scuff or break
- Take your jewelry off before getting wet. Doing dishes, showering, or swimming. The chlorine from a pool or chemicals from soaps can cause wear on the ring faster if worn often in water
- Don’t wear it somewhere you might lose it. For example, the beach or amusement park. If lost, it is likely to never be found
- Store it properly. Keep it away from other jewelry as to not scratch it. Keep it in the box when not worn, or wrapped in a soft cloth
- Keep it clean with a cloth or use appropriate cleaning solutions. You want to keep that optimal shine and sparkle on your new gold ring!
At the Gold and Diamond Room, we have mens gold rings and gold rings for women! Shop our styles, we are always updating our inventory and we offer free sizing. If you don’t see something you like, let us know! We also offer custom jewelry!