The expression all that glitters is not gold is very apt when it comes to deciding on your engagement or wedding ring – today there are many alternatives you can use which provide a long lasting luster and beauty which is eminently suitable for engagement and wedding ring gifts.

There are several issues to be decided when you are choosing a ring which ought to last a lifetime – beauty and style, an ability to maintain that appearance for decades and longer, your budget and affordability and probably most of all, the final appreciation and happiness you both have with the finished article.

Gold is the most popular wedding and engagement ring metal though this has not always been the case – weeding and betrothal rings were originally made of wood and stone!

Gold is often used because of its luster and bright color which do not fade with time and it is also generally robust enough to weather the daily and constant use over the years and decades the ring is worn.  Gold is also used a lot because it is perceived to be a metal which holds its value and even increases in value during hard times and so it can be a recession proof safety net (certainly something kept in mind in the early part of the last century).

How much a gold ring will cost will be determined by the purity of the gold used – a 14 carat gold ring will cost considerably less than a 22 carat equivalent (pure gold is 24 carat however it is too soft for use as a jewelry item which will be worn constantly and needs to last).

Platinum is also known as “White Gold” due to its color and is used extensively in ring and jewelry making.

Platinum is a precious metal though it has a far more volatile price range than gold – in times of plenty, platinum usually is worth twice as much as gold but when recession and hard times hit, the value tends to fall rapidly below that of gold – in this respect platinum is not a good hedge or safety net in hard times!
Platinum is inert as a metal which means it does not corrode or lose its shine – this makes it very attractive for use in making rings and jewelry but usually this is as an alloy (or blending of other metals) to increase strength and durability.
Nevertheless, platinum rings look exquisite and provide that something different for those couples seeking to make a more individual statement.

Palladium is a platinum substitute which is slightly whiter and less dense depending on the alloy mix used in the making of the piece.  It provides a good setting for diamonds on engagement and wedding rings precisely because of its natural color complementing the fire of diamonds.  Palladium is much cheaper than either platinum or gold and is a popular choice when budget considerations are an issue but the client does not wish to sacrifice looks or durability with the ring itself.

By Lawrence Reaves, president of DanforthDiamond.com your best source for wedding rings, diamond rings and high quality jewelry at 40% off of retail.