There are many things to consider when shopping for a unique diamond ring. While most of the focus goes to the quality of the center diamond, the choice of metal also plays a huge role in the overall appearance of the ring. The wrong choice of metal will diminish the sparkle of even the most brilliant of diamonds. For this reason, a lot of thought should not only go to the style of the setting but also to the type of metal, you choose for the ring. The kind of metal defines the style of the ring and has an impact on the appearance of the diamond that you have selected. In this article, you will learn how the metal you choose affects the appearance of the color of the diamond. Read on.
Common Metal Choices for a Diamond Ring
The most common metals used for diamond rings include:
-
- Platinum: Extremely pure and extremely durable, maintains color perfectly
- White Gold: Although less expensive, white gold looks like platinum but features rhodium plating for durability
- Yellow Gold: Boasts a beautiful color for an engagement ring
- Rose Gold: More durable than white or yellow gold as well as affordable
- Titanium: Extremely durable and lightweight and has an excellent white appearance
- Tungsten: You can choose between black, gray, or white depending on your diamond choice
- Palladium: Is similar to platinum but more affordable
Each of these metals has its pros and cons and you need to understand them to make the right choice. Take time to read about jewelry resources to understand how each option will have an impact on the overall durability and appearance of the ring.
Importance of the Metal of the Ring with relation to Color of the Diamond
When shopping for diamond engagement rings, the color of the stone is one of the most important considerations. Most buyers believe that diamonds are colorless but this is not always the case. In the 4Cs of diamond quality, you will find color grading starting from D-to-Z on the Color Scale. Colorless diamonds are indeed rare and very expensive. On the other hand, you will find brilliant, nearly colorless diamonds suitable for engagement rings. They have hints of yellow, brown or gray but the sparkle of such diamonds remains.
Now, diamonds are highly reflective and the facets of a well-cut stone perform as a mirror. They reflect the light from the surroundings. This includes the color of the metal used to make the ring. You may have a stunning diamond but the poor color of the metal band will ruin its appearance. To get the best out of the diamond you have bought, choose the right color for the metal used to make the ring. The diamond’s color should highlight the beauty of the metal you choose.
Experts in diamond jewelry say that the color of an engagement ring affects the perception of the appearance of the diamond by around one full-color grade. The unique structure of a diamond means that they pick and reflect the color of anything around them, especially whatever touches the stone. This is the reason why one should understand the effect of the color of the band and the prongs properly when buying a diamond engagement ring.
Tips To Choose the Right Metal for a Particular Diamond
The following tips will help you choose the right metal to pair with a specific type of diamond:
- Diamonds graded D-E-F on the GIA scale: These are colorless diamonds and they work perfectly with platinum or white gold engagement ring setting. White metals bring out the beauty of such diamonds. For diamonds graded G through J which are nearly colorless, you can still opt for settings that are made of a white metal. Avoid yellow prongs at all costs to use with this color grade of diamonds because they will lend the diamond a hue and diminish its beauty.
- Diamonds graded M through Z: Diamonds from M and lower have a noticeable yellow tint and they will work well with a yellow gold band, as the yellow color of the metal accentuates the yellow color of the diamond. For diamonds in the color range of K or L, you can use either a white metal or yellow gold to suit your preferences.
- Fancy-color diamonds: Fancy colored diamonds (blue, brown, pink, yellow and green) are all the rage when buying engagement rings and you can bring out the best by choosing the right metal color. For brown and yellow diamonds, select white metals. If you wish, you could choose contrasting colors or go for rose/yellow gold to gain provide a complementary appearance to the ring. White metal works perfectly pink and blue diamonds.
When choosing a gold setting for your diamond ring, you should take care to avoid a contrast where the prongs used gain prominence. For instance, if you have a white diamond in a gold setting, the gold prongs might gain more prominence against your wishes. In such a case, you can stick to the gold setting for the metal band but go with white gold for the prongs.
Well, it is essential to confirm the appearance of the ring before you buy it. A good jeweler has digital tools to present a simulation of the actual ring. You can tell whether the overall appearance is what you wanted or identify any changes you would like to make to the ring. While shopping, take the time to talk to your jeweler and explain the design you have in mind to them. These experts will help you create a custom ring where all components are in harmony. Never rush to buy a ring without doing your research and learning how each of the metals can affect your diamond. Remember even with the best sparkling diamond, the overall appearance of the ring can fail if the color of the metal you choose is poor.