White Gold, Platinum and Palladium - Which is Best for Your Engagement Ring?

When it comes to engagement rings, it’s not all about the stone. Make sure to spare a thought for the precious metal - but which one is best?

Popular engagement rings come in a range of metal styles, from warm yellow gold to icy platinum, and even more recently, pretty rose gold. Of course there are obvious differences in colour between those three, but some aren't so easily separated by the naked eye.

White gold, platinum and palladium are all precious metals that are sleek and silvery in colour - so how do you choose which one is best for you?

18ct White Gold

White gold is actually the result of combining yellow gold with white metal alloys - such as silver and palladium, so it is not actually a naturally occurring metal. Having said that - yellow gold is also mixed with metal alloys to make it hard enough and durable enough to be used in jewellery.  Gold is naturally a soft metal, and so the jewellery pieces that you own will have been mixed to form a sturdier piece. This is where the other ‘ct' measurement comes in - which lets you know how much natural gold is present in your jewellery.

White gold engagement rings are hugely popular styles thanks to the unrivalled versatility of this metal. White gold gives a contemporary look with its icy sheen and is also seen as a cost-effective choice, bearing in mind that plating may need to be updated in the years to come to keep it looking tip top.

Choosing to opt for a white gold ring will present you with the widest range of options so don't delay - take a look at our beautiful 18ct white gold engagement rings here.  

Platinum

Platinum is widely considered as the most precious metal available. It has a naturally occurring icy sheen finish - perfect for complementing the sparkle of a diamond. Its superior stature makes it the best investment choice for long-lasting maintenance - which will of course be reflected in its price.

Said to be over 30 times rarer than gold, there's no doubt that platinum is a precious choice. Despite its durable reputation, platinum is also a relatively soft metal, so can appear to faintly mark with daily wear. These miniscule marks are simply signs of displacement and can be polished right up as good as new by our jewellers.

Platinum jewellery is the cream of the crop - take a look at our striking platinum engagement rings today.

Palladium

Palladium bears a striking resemblance to platinum, but is in fact a relatively new precious metal - having only been used in jewellery since 1939. It can be used within the mixing process of white gold, though has a lustrous natural appearance and doesn't need coating when used alone.

It is billed as a more affordable alternative to platinum, and can be similarly displaced with daily wear, but also makes a stunning accompaniment to sparkling diamonds and has found itself rising up the popularity ranks when it comes to engagement rings. Take a closer look at our palladium engagement rings here.

Still undecided? Take your time, and browse all of our engagement rings here.