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18kt Yellow Gold is a classic, timeless choice for an engagement ring. If you look around, you'll notice that many people have opted for yellow gold before you. In its purest form, 24kt yellow gold is too soft for everyday wear and can be easily damaged by the rigors of daily life. For engagement rings, it is typically alloyed with stronger metals such as copper, silver, zinc, and nickel to enhance its strength and durability. Nickel is used less frequently these days due to potential allergic reactions. It's advisable to inform your jeweler if you have any such intolerance.
The proportion of alloy added to the gold not only determines the gold’s purity and carat weight but also defines its color. 18kt gold is an ideal combination of 75% gold to 25% alloy metals, balancing strength and resilience against the purity of the precious metal. This composition preserves the rich and deep yellow color of the gold. In contrast, 14kt gold contains a higher percentage of alloy, making it more durable but potentially looking a bit whiter.
Color can be a deciding factor when selecting a metal for your engagement ring. If your fiancée already owns and wears a lot of jewelry made from yellow gold, then this is a wise choice as it will complement and supplement her existing pieces.
Overall, 18kt yellow gold is a highly attractive and popular choice for both wedding rings and engagement rings. This metal deepens in color over time, developing a pleasing patina. While you can expect it to get a little scratched and tarnished over the years, a jeweler can easily give it a quick polish, making it look as good as new.