Picking metals! - YouLookFab Forum

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Picking metals!

Carole

Veteran

If you were to go shopping today for a wedding/engagement band (diamonds or no) what metal would you choose?

I'm at the point of making a final decision on a wedding band replacement ...
(see precious post) http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nds-anyone

My previous band was gold but everywhere I've been the only thing stocked to look at is either white gold or platinum. Anything can be ordered in gold, but I'm hesitant without seeing it IRL. I've always loved gold but it seems the modern thing is white gold or platinum. I wear silver pieces now as much as gold tones and my favorite everyday watch is a mixture of gold and silver. What's a girl to do?

Shown below is the ring up for serious consideration...

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

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Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

ElleH

Veteran

With the pave band I prefer white gold to yellow. I love all colours of gold but prefer the whiteness of white gold with pave. Gorgeous ring btw.

Carole

Veteran

Thanks, Elle. I think white gold makes the diamonds sparkle and shine a bit more. I'm leaning this way but since I've worn a gold band for the last 31 years, I'm hoping it's not just a passing fancy!

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I've preferred white gold to yellow since I was about 20. White looks much better on my skin. My wedding rings are platinum, and I'd get the same again without hesitation.

I do think people wear one metal better than another, and should choose accordingly, difficult as it may be given trends.

The one you are looking at is just gorgeous. Good luck!

carter

Veteran

Platinum makes for an extremely elegant ring. I mix it up all the time with gold jewelry. My watch is white gold.

ElleH

Veteran

It's annoying that you can't see anything in yellow gold. If you could at least see something similar it would be helpful. I wonder if there is any costume jewelry in a yellow gold colour. Nordstrom has Nadri jewelry in yellow gold colour. I'm not sure if they have rings but they have pave earrings in yellow gold colour with cubic zirconias. I think Bloomies & Macys have a different brand but the same thing.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/na.....ry&pa

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....0&y=0

http://www1.macys.com/shop/sea.....ond%26sort

Carole

Veteran

Thanks, Elizabeth and Carter. The whole coloring thing has me totally baffled...I would think my skin would look better with gold, but the ring in the store looks beautiful on...it's white gold.

Elle, yes. It would certainly help if the stores would stock a few samples of pieces in yellow gold! I really don't want to just so the trendy thing!!

bridgie

Veteran

To me white gold is timeless. My now deceased husband proposed to me with a simple white gold and diamond engagement ring and slipped a plain white gold band on my finger at our wedding in 1956. I loved them at the time and would not change a thing.

Carole

Veteran

Thanks, bridgie! I guess any metal is in style if it's what you love. I love everything...that's my problem! Your wedding and engagement set sounds perfect and beautiful. Thanks for sharing your story:)

Echo

Veteran

White metals have dominated for the last 20 years or so, but I've always preferred yellow gold for myself. DH upgraded my ring (his suggestion, not mine) a few years ago, and we had to order a setting in 18K gold because only white metals were available in stock. But it was well worth it. I also prefer the contrast of a diamond against yellow gold. Additionally, if a diamond is much below a GIA graded H, it can look yellowish against a white setting, so some people choose a metal colour based on the colour of their stone. Either way, be sure to see the stone you choose placed against the setting you choose before it is set to make sure the combination is pleasing to you.

If you do decide to go with a white metal, however, be sure to either get platinum or find out about the alloys the store uses for its white gold. Many white gold pieces contain nickel, which causes a skin reaction in some people. Additionally, many current white gold alloys yellow over time and need replating with rhodium in order to look white. Gold, by nature, IS yellow, so any white gold is alloyed to make it lighter - usually with copper, nickel, zinc and silver. Some white gold is alloyed with palladium instead, and these alloys tend to remain whiter even when their plating wears away. Be sure if you choose white gold that you know the alloy or the maintenance you can expect.

shiny

Veteran

My first marriage in 1992 I went with gold, because that was the fashion. My second marriage I wanted white gold instead. Regardless of fashion, it's my favorite and looks more timeless to my eye. My wedding set is white gold plated in rhodium.

While yellow gold is in fashion right now, and I do wear that more lately than silver, I do not have a problem mixing metals - donning gold hardware on my bags and shoes, gold necklace, gold bracelet... but white gold wedding set. Because I know that I'm donning gold just for the trend. I glance down at my wedding set, and smile.. because I know silver is more "me" long term. And especially one of these days when my hair goes gray/silver/white!

31 years is a major achievement! Congrats to you and your hubby!!!!

Susie

Veteran

I LOVE that ring! That is the brand we looked at when I considered a tension set ring.

My first wedding ring was yellow gold because it was more common at the time- 30 years ago! When I got married the second time, we chose platinum. I've always preferred silver and white gold so it was an easy choice for me. I do have several pieces of mixed gold and silver and I don't mind mixing them.

The ring you've chosen is gorgeous and will look beautiful in either metal. I do have a slight preference of the cool white metal with the icy diamonds.

Anonymous

My ering is 18k yg and the prongs are in white gold. My diamond wedding band is yellow gold. Yellow gold looks best on me. Now for diamond earrings, like studs or hoops, I would choose platinum to make the diamonds show more.

White gold eventually would need to be replated so if you are choosing metals go for platinum. Currently it is not that much more than gold.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I would choose a very plain gold wedding band - and that's it. Nothing more.

I'm sure you'll love whatever you choose, Carole. CONGRATS. Bless your happy marriage. xo

retailgirl

Veteran

My set is yellow gold...sapphires and diamonds...and if had to choose again, I'd choose the same. I wear both white and yellow metals, and my watches are a two tone Rolex and a stainless steel Cartier, and I wear either watch with either color of metal. But! If I were choosing a diamond engagement or wedding ring, I would get platinum. It's rich looking. Keep in mind that the "white" in white gold is a plating and has to be re-done periodically. ( it's solid gold, but plated to look white.)

eds

I wear a very simple James Avery ring, done in gold and silver. http://www.jamesavery.com/prod...../0/sc/2185

I inherited my mom's emerald cut diamond and I am thinking to see if I can reuse the platinum in hers along with turquoise to do something like this
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/213006257351176650/

The one you show is beautiful!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

We just picked out an engagement ring a few months ago and I went with white but I am a winter and look better in cool colors. Go with what you love rather than what is in style. If the style changes, you will still have a ring you love.

Elly

Veteran

I would chose something simple and elegant but unusual in platinum. Both of my grandmother's and great grandmother's had platinum sets I admired growing up (I didn't care for my mom's yellow gold set). I do have my father's wedding band, which if the SO doesn't want will be sized down for me. Almost all my heirlooms are platinum and otherwise I wear a lot of silver (southwestern jewelry). I don't mind mixing metals, but still.

Carole

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your valuable input...I'm not sure why I'm having such a hard time deciding but it helps to have a discussion about it.

Echo-thanks for the info on white gold...I never would have thought to ask about the alloys used..You are so very knowledgable and I appreciate your feedback. The fact that platinum is twice the price is a big factor, and will likely rule that out:(

Shiny-thanks for your input! Your ring sounds lovely and perfect for you. I like the idea of mixing metals, too!

Susie, thanks for the thumbs up...platinum is twice the price so it's either yellow or white gold! Leaning towards 18k white gold at this point.

Lara, retail girl, dianthus, Elly- thank you so much!

Eds- your ring is beautiful. I love the two tone band and the idea for your mothers ring is lovely. Love that emerald style.

Angie-classic and simple! I like that idea very much....hubs insists on a new diamond...I would be happy with a simple band but he is adamant. Must be a a guy thing:)