As an alternative to yellow gold, many people prefer White Gold Ring Settings Without Stones. Although the ring may look more silvery than gold, the carat weight of the gold in the ring is measured exactly like a ring made in yellow gold. It is in the alloys and other metals added to give strength to the ring that helps determine the actual color of the finished product.
Gold is considered a soft and easily pliable metal. In order for a ring to hold its shape throughout years of daily wear, stronger metals are added to the gold. The composition of gold and the other added metals can and will change the color of any finished product. The added metals in white gold ring settings without stones, such as silver, manganese, palladium and even platinum, help maintain the silver coloring as well as strengthen the metal.
Nickel had been used for decades to strengthen and color white gold but its use has diminished in recent years due to the rising number of folks having allergic reactions to nickel. Many pieces of white gold jewelry that are antiques or family heirlooms will contain nickel.
The shiny luster of white gold is derived from a coating of a white metal called rhodium. Rhodium is a very hard white metal that when used as a coating on white gold ring settings without stones, protects and shines similar to platinum without the added high cost of using platinum. This coating, although a hard metal, eventually does wear down and should be checked periodically by a jeweler who may suggest recoating the metal, typically for a nominal fee.
Without the plated coating of rhodium, white gold appears to be more of a light dull gray color. Most white gold ring settings without stones and other fine white gold jewelry items that you find in jewelry stores are plated with rhodium. Once plated and polished, their appearance is hard to distinguish from platinum, which is much more costly, although the trained eye of a jeweler will be able to tell the difference.
Choosing Yellow or White Gold Ring Settings Without Stones
The choice of white or yellow gold is strictly a personal choice of the wearer. The amount of gold in the ring is measured by carat weight. This system of carat weight is adhered to by all jewelry makers, the world over. A yellow gold ring setting of 14 carats is worth just as much as white gold ring settings without stones, measured at 14 carats. An average 18 carat gold ring is typically 75% pure gold with alloys and other metals making up the remaining 25%. This is true no matter if the ring is white gold or yellow gold.
We all have a preference in color when choosing between white and yellow gold and since there is no difference in the gold, it becomes a matter of fashion or taste as to which color gold you prefer. Many try to choose the color of their gold jewelry based on skin tones or by comparing and by matching the color to other jewelry pieces owned. Some will make the argument that a brilliant cut stone sparkles better in a yellow gold setting the a white gold ring setting. Only you can be the judge of your special ring.
Now, with the addition of an assortment of colored gold to choose from, the decisions may become harder to make. The addition and mixing of various metals with gold can turn white gold ring settings without stones into an array of delicious colors that includes pink, green, blue and even purple gold.
Buying the perfect gemstone separately and mounting it in a setting is a wise move that guarantees the quality of the stone and the setting. When buying a gemstone ring setting, the choice of the right color of gold shouldn’t be based upon skin colors and tones or what you have in your jewelry box at home.
According to most fine jewelers, the best way to make a decision on which color gold you should use should be based solely on matching the gemstone to the gold. Nuances in the gemstone and most particularly, a diamond, are better showcased in a gold ring setting that enhances and complements the color choices of both the stone and the gold. White gold ring settings without stones are a superb choice to highlight any diamond or other gemstone and can be crafted to match any style or intricate design you may prefer..
