Friday 9 September 2016

Metal Options for Your Engagement and Wedding Rings


Platinum and gold are not the only options when you are looking for an engagement or wedding ring. Dealers in sterling silver wholesale collections can make you explore a lot more!

From ultra-modern to traditional – there is no dearth of options available in the world of jewelry metals. Yes, these days, more and more couples are looking beyond the regularly available options and setting for an engagement ring or wedding ring made with sterling silver. Well, this does not mean that diamond fails to remain as the most intriguing element of such rings. Along with diamonds, there are plenty of other precious and semi-precious stones that are being held as equally important additions to sterling silver rings collections. So, what would you like to opt for? A ring made of semi-precious and precious metals like platinum, silver, gold, sterling silver, or something more contemporary? Each of these metals is capable of making their own style statement and is known for their sturdiness, looks, and cost.

Here, we bring you closer to different metals that are being considered for traditional rings and modern designer rings alike. Take a look.

Platinum

One of the most popular metals of choice for making jewelry in the 20th century, platinum is durable, shiny and beautiful. This metal has managed to make a massive comeback in the world of jewelry, especially wedding and engagement rings. It fitfully complements the stones set within it and is well-acclaimed for endowing them with more luster and brilliance. Platinum showcases a soft white hue and is 30 times rarer than gold. It is 40% heavier in weight than 14K gold, and therefore more expensive.

This hard metal does not tarnish or oxidize easily. It is used as a coveted metal setting for embellished or intricately engraved rings. In fact, most rings look sharper and better looking when set in platinum. Mined in South Africa and Russia, platinum is present in most British Crown jewels. In general, the platinum in modern jewelry is up to 90% to 95% pure; therefore, it serves as the perfect metal option for diamond studded wedding rings or different kinds of engagement rings.

Gold

Gold, the first and  foremost choice for wedding and engagement jewelry is known for its yellow hue, natural warmth and beautiful luster, Considered as timeless and romantic, gold engagement rings are giving tough competition to sterling silver rings providers as they impart full value for their money. If you desire to have a gold ring in your jewelry box too, then, choose the right colored gold only. It is essential to know that the color of gold is courtesy the nature of alloy mixed in the same.

Though there are plentiful possibilities of mixtures for gold, the most common amongst them all are pure gold that’s mixed with copper and silver for giving off a warm look; white gold that has pure gold combined with nickel, copper and zinc or silver and palladium; green gold which is yellowish-green in looks and comprises of silver and pure gold, etc. These days, it is common to find reddish gold options wherein pure gold is mixed with copper for imparting a unique appearance to jewels. Found in abundance in Peru, Russia, South Africa, Australia, and the United States, gold is measured in karats for its purity

Sterling Silver

At one time, silver was notched at higher rates than gold. However, in the current scenario, sterling silver is considered to be far more affordable than most other precious metals. Online portals and other local jewelers dealing in sterling silver rings wholesale are of the opinion that unlike pure silver which is very hard, sterling silver is more ductile and durable. Sterling silver is pure silver mixed with other metals such as copper and can get marked or scratched easily- so, jewelry made with sterling silver has to be well taken care of to make it last for a long time. Sterling silver ranges from grayish white to bright white and may give off a matte or shiny finish. Silver is mined in Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Australia, Poland and Canada. Oft referred to as the lunar metal because of its shine, sterling silver is stamped as .925 because it contains 92.5% pure silver, at least!

Alternative Metals

Platinum, silver, and gold are not the only metals that make it to the catalogues of retail and wholesale jewelry stores. There are many other modern-looking, lightweight, and durable metals that are fast becoming popular for engagement and wedding bands for men and women alike. Though these metals may not be as popular in context with women’s engagement rings, they fitfully complement gold, silver or platinum jewelry, anytime and in all settings. Some such commonly used metals include:

Cobalt

A naturally white alloy, cobalt is used in medical and aerospace industry verticals along with being a preferred choice of metal for making fine bridal jewelry. This hypoallergenic metal serves to be up to four times more durable and harder than platinum. It’s a known fact that cobalt rings are very durable and last for a lifetime. They are fairly scratch-resistant too.

Stainless Steel

Jewelers dealing in sterling silver rings are getting attracted to the dazzle, durability, affordability and strength of stainless steel. No longer used for merely flatware, stainless steel is useful for crafting jewels that are strong and shiny. For instance, stainless steel rings are known to take on various looks as they can be polished differently. You may like to buy stainless steel jewelry that has the reflective look of chrome or the matte look of pewter – choose as per your style, taste and preference. To resist oxidation, steel is often mixed with 10.5% chromium and gives off the best results in all kinds of jewelry.

Titanium

Titanium, which was originally used for industrial applications, is now a popular metal choice for wedding jewelry – specifically men’s wedding bands. As rings and bands made of titanium are light in weight, they serve to be a refreshing change from the heavier platinum or gold ones. As this metal is unique and mostly found in jewelry stores online, it is used for creating a futuristic look for those who desire to wear something different. Silver, grey or black, titanium rings feature satin or polished finishes and are often inlaid with other metals for increasing their longevity.

Are you confused to read about so many metal options for your rings? From sterling silver rings to gold wedding bands and diamond studded platinum rings, there is no dearth of alternatives to select from. All you need to do is assess your immediate and future needs and buy accordingly – you will surely be happy with the results.

For more information, please visit our online store https://www.pandkjewelry.com/