Gold Wedding Bands: Alloy Secrets

Pure gold is too soft to be used in jewellery, so it is mixed with other metals to increase its durability. This combination of metals is called an alloy. The most common types of gold alloys used in wedding bands are yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Yellow gold is made using a combination of pure gold, copper, and zinc. White gold is made by mixing yellow gold with white metals such as silver or nickel and then rhodium plating it. Rose gold has a higher copper content, giving it a pink hue. Platinum is another popular metal used in wedding bands, known for its durability and resistance to wear and corrosion. Palladium is also used in wedding bands and is similar to platinum but lighter in weight.

Platinum is more durable than gold and develops a 'patina' over time

Platinum is a more durable metal than gold. This is due to its extreme density and chemical structure. For example, the prongs holding the centre stone of a platinum engagement ring are less likely to break than those of a gold ring. Platinum's density means that it will take longer to wear away than gold. Its chemical structure means that when platinum is struck, the metal only moves, instead of being scratched off.

When platinum is scratched, the metal gets moved from one place on the ring to another, and it develops a patina finish. This finish will make your jewellery look like an antique. Platinum's metal can be moved back into place with polishing because it is not actually losing metal like gold. When gold is scratched, the gold is lost and it looks like a permanent scratch. Compared to platinum, gold is softer and less durable, leading to a slight loss of the precious metal over time.

Platinum will also develop a patina over time. Platinum patina is the change in finish and texture that develops on platinum as a result of regular wear. It's often described as a satiny or slightly frosted finish, although it can vary in colour and appearance. Overall, it's a slight loss of lustre.

Platinum is also a hypoallergenic metal. While gold rings do not create an allergy issue for most people, some can develop an allergic reaction from the nickel alloy used in gold rings.

Gold is softer than platinum and will likely become scratched

Gold is a soft metal that is easily scratched. In its pure form, gold is very soft and not suitable for everyday wear. It is the most malleable and ductile of all elements, so it is easily bent, scratched, and reshaped.

Pure gold is rarely used in jewellery, especially not for engagement rings and wedding bands that face a lot of wear and tear. Instead, gold is mixed with other metals to create an alloy that is more durable and suitable for everyday wear. The addition of other metals also brings its own characteristics in terms of colour, heft, brittleness, and malleability. The non-gold metals are generally harder and lighter than gold, and they are also less expensive.

The most common metals alloyed with gold are zinc, copper, nickel, iron, cadmium, aluminium, silver, platinum, and palladium. The addition of these metals can change the colour of the gold alloy, creating shades such as yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and green gold.

The softness of gold, even when alloyed with other metals, means that it will still be prone to scratching. However, the accumulation of scratches over time can result in a lovely, soft sheen that many people find appealing. This is especially true for wedding bands, which are often chosen for their sentimental value rather than their pristine appearance.

Platinum, another popular metal for wedding bands, is also softer than gold and will also scratch over time. While platinum is harder than gold, it is not completely scratch-proof and will develop scratches with daily wear and tear.

Overall, while gold is softer than platinum and will likely become scratched, this is a natural part of the wear and tear process for any precious metal. The accumulation of scratches can even be seen as a poetic parallel to marriage, where the detours and missteps along the way ultimately bring you closer together.

Gold is combined with copper and zinc to make it more durable

Gold is a popular choice for wedding bands, with a history of use dating back to Ancient Greece and Rome. However, gold is a soft metal that is easily scratched, especially when brushed against a hard surface. To make gold more durable, it is combined with other metals to create an alloy.

Pure gold is 24 karats and has a vibrant yellow colour. It is hypoallergenic, soft, malleable, and expensive. When combined with other metals, the durability of gold increases, the price decreases, and the colour can be altered. The karat of a gold alloy refers to the amount of pure gold it contains, but it does not indicate the type of metals it is combined with. For example, 18 karat gold contains 75% pure gold, while 14 karat gold contains 58.5% pure gold.

Gold is often combined with copper and zinc to create a more durable alloy. For instance, 14 karat rose gold is made up of 58.5% pure gold, with the remaining 41.5% consisting of copper and zinc. By varying the proportions of copper and zinc, different colours of gold alloys can be created. Increasing the amount of copper in the alloy will result in a redder colour, as seen in rose gold. On the other hand, adding more zinc will create a greener hue, as seen in green gold.

While copper is a popular choice for creating rose gold alloys, it is not ideal for use in pure form for wedding bands. This is because pure copper tarnishes quickly, is very soft, and can cause discolouration of the skin. By combining copper with gold to create a rose gold alloy, the desirable colour of copper can be achieved without the negative side effects.

In addition to copper and zinc, other metals such as silver, nickel, and palladium may be added to gold alloys. For example, white gold is made by mixing yellow gold with white metals like silver or nickel, and then rhodium plating is applied to give it a shiny white appearance. However, it is important to note that nickel is a common metal allergen, so individuals with allergies may prefer to choose gold alloys that do not contain nickel, such as those made with palladium.

White gold is made by mixing yellow gold with white metals like silver or nickel

Pure gold is a vibrant yellow colour, soft, and prone to bending. It is also expensive. To make it more durable, affordable, and suitable for everyday jewellery, it is mixed with other metals to form an alloy. This process also allows jewellers to create gold in a variety of colours.

White gold is made by mixing yellow gold with white metals like silver, nickel, or palladium. This combination gives white gold its distinctive light grey colour. The inclusion of different white metals will produce different shades of white. For example, palladium and nickel produce a silver-white hue, while silver produces a bright, cool-toned white.

The white metals mixed with the yellow gold also contribute to the durability of the alloy. This is important because pure gold is very soft and could easily bend out of shape.

To create white gold with a bright, lustrous sheen, the alloy is coated with rhodium. This is because, even with the addition of white metals, the alloy still has a slightly yellow tint. Rhodium is part of the same metal family as platinum and has a pure white, gleaming colour. It also adds a layer of protection from scratches and dents.

Over time, the rhodium plating on white gold jewellery will wear away, revealing the yellow gold colour underneath. This can be easily fixed by asking a jeweller to recoat the piece.

Rose gold is a gold alloy with a higher copper content, giving it a pink hue

Rose gold is a popular choice for wedding bands as it complements all skin tones, from fair and rosy to olive and darker skin. Its unique, romantic pink hue has made it increasingly popular in recent years. It is also relatively affordable, as its high copper content makes it quite inexpensive.

However, rose gold does have a few disadvantages. Firstly, due to its high copper content, it is more likely than other types of gold to cause skin issues. Secondly, as it is a newly popular metal, only a limited selection of engagement rings and wedding bands are available in rose gold.

When choosing a wedding band, it is important to consider the level of maintenance required. While rose gold is generally low maintenance, it needs to be polished and cleaned to maintain its shine. Like all types of gold, it is also quite easy to scratch.

Overall, rose gold is a beautiful and romantic choice for a wedding band, offering a unique pink hue that complements all skin tones. Its strength and affordability make it a popular option for those seeking a durable and cost-effective alternative to traditional white or yellow gold bands.

Frequently asked questions