White Gold, Yellow Gold, and Two-Tone Diamond Rings

Shopping for an engagement ring can be a time-consuming process, especially if you are trying to find that “perfect” ring on your own as a surprise for your girlfriend! There are so many different varieties and styles to consider, it can often be overwhelming. If you’re able to subtly probe for ideas to get a sense of her personal style when it comes to jewelry, that’s a great starting point. And, don’t forget to consult with her friends to ask questions on this subject – they probably have already gotten an earful from her on this topic. But, at some point you will have to dedicate yourself to some significant investigation into the world of diamonds, settings, and all their varieties. Your goal should be to find a gorgeous diamond ring that represents a good value within your budget, while being well-made and of high quality (not an inexpensive replica.) It’s common to find discounted diamond settings that do a poor job of fitting the dimensions of the center stone, which introduce the risk of the diamond being dislodged and coming out of its mounting by accident. Purchasing your engagement ring from a design studio with experience and expertise is worth the money, as they can often offer guidance that will be invaluable in your search.

You can find all sorts of different engagement ring styles, ranging throughout many eras, like early-20th-century art deco, the 1980′s, or vintage engagement rings. But, brides nowadays are really looking for timeless beauty that will remain appealing for generations. A bride desires for her jewelry to be long-lasting, and never to go out of style. Are you looking for a solitaire design featuring a large center diamond, with impressive dimensions and excellent ratings for its brilliance and depth? Or perhaps a design that uses multiple diamonds set around a center stone for a less-ostentatious, more intricate appearance? There are many options in either of these styles that you can consider, bearing in mind the unique desires of your bride-to-be and her typical choices in jewelry.

The most noticeable thing about a diamond setting (besides the diamond itself!) is the color of the metal chosen for the shank. The natural color of gold is yellow, which has represented diamond settings for hundreds of years. Selecting a yellow gold diamond setting will convey some of this historicity in its appearance, and carry itself with a vintage elegance that may fit your desired style very well.

However, more recently, a process has been designed whereby natural gold is coated with a surface that causes it to appear white. This “white gold” has become popular in more recent years, and can make for a more versatile choice because its neutral color can so easily be combined with other jewelry. White gold engagement rings also offer a subtle advantage, in that stones placed in a ring with a neutral color will appear more colorless themselves than the same diamonds set in yellow gold. However, white gold also tends to require ongoing maintenance. Over years of use, the rhodium plating will begin to wear off, causing the ring to revert to its original color. One choice to alleviate the high-maintenance nature of white gold is to purchase a platinum setting, but the advantages of the platinum metal come at significantly greater cost.

Very recently, jewelry artisans have begun including both white gold and yellow gold in the same engagement ring design. Recent innovations in the jewelry industry include the production of gold in additional colors, such as rose and peach, and these have offered designers an even greater palette of options. Combining different shades of gold in these two tone rings produce a subtle, but striking, appearance. Frequently, due to the visual detail introduced by a two-tone material, designers will keep the rest of the setting quite simple so that the viewer is not overwhelmed by too many intricacies that detract from the center stone.

After you’ve browsed through a variety of rings and have a good understanding of the styles available, you’re in a position to make a final decision on which setting is right for you. During the purchase process, you should bear in mind the following points: First, double-check to verify that your diamond measurements are being communicated correctly so that your engagement setting is produced with the correct space for your diamond’s height, width, and depth. If you are purchasing your diamond separately from the setting, be sure to request lab reports showing its certification and specifications. Many jewelry production processes can support making the ring in the exact size you need to fit the finger of your intended fiancee, which is much preferable to simply expecting to re-size it after it’s already been made. All that’s left is the proposal!