More than what holds the stone
The metal sets the colour of the whole ring, decides how it wears, and quietly changes how the diamond looks.
Choose your metal
Here is how the four differ, and how to match one to the stone you have in mind.
Platinum
Dense and naturally white, so it never needs plating to keep its colour. Fine surface marks with wear are the metal moving rather than wearing away. It sits a little heavier on the hand, and many people prefer that weight.
White gold
Gold alloyed to a pale tone and finished with rhodium for a bright, cool surface. Over years of wear the rhodium softens, and a fresh coat brings back the finish it had on day one. A lighter, often more affordable route to the platinum look.
Yellow gold
More useful than it looks. Its warmth flatters a diamond a few grades down the colour scale, so a G to J stone sits beautifully without the faint tint ever showing. We work mainly in 18ct for a richer colour.
Rose gold
Gold with added copper for a soft pink that has quietly become a modern classic. It is the most forgiving metal on diamond colour, and the tone suits warmer skin particularly well.
Match the metal to the colour
The saving most people miss. Each band shows the diamond colour grades that sit best in that metal.
Cool metal
Platinum and white gold show a diamond's colour, so they want a higher grade.
Warm metal
Yellow and rose gold hide it, so you can drop a few grades and keep the saving.
The metal and the stone are one decision, not two.
9ct or 18ct?
Gold carat describes how much pure gold is in the alloy. 18ct holds a deeper, richer colour and is what we use for most fine pieces. 9ct contains less gold, so it is harder and a little paler, which some prefer for a ring that takes heavy daily wear. We will talk you through which suits how you live.
Not the same as a diamond's carat weight- Deeper, richer colour
- Softer alloy
- A little paler
- Harder alloy
Tone is hard to judge on a screen
Come and see the four against your skin and against the stone you have in mind. In Birmingham, London, Manchester or online.