Is 14k white gold or 18k white gold best for e-ring?

“I’m trying to figure out whether 14k white gold, or 18k white gold, is best for an engagement ring. My girlfriend prefers white gold to platinum, because white gold is supposed to stay brighter, and hold its polish better than platinum. We’re having trouble deciding between 14k or 18k white gold, because it seems that 14k is harder than 18k; but then why are most of the designer engagement rings only available in 18k white gold or platinum? For instance, the Brian Gavin Anita halo setting is available in 18k white gold, but not 14k white gold; and can you tell me how this 0.888 carat, I-color diamond will look in that setting? Thank you in advance for your time.” – Brandon D.

Is 14k white gold harder than 18k white gold?

Technically speaking, 14k white gold is harder than 18k white gold, simply because 14k white gold contains a higher percentage of other alloys which are mixed with yellow gold, to turn the yellow gold white in color, and which also serves to make the gold less pliable.

The gold content of a 14k white gold piece of jewelry is 58.3% with the remaining 41.7% consisting of either palladium or nickel, mixed with zinc and copper. The gold content of an engagement ring or piece of jewelry made of 18k white gold is 75%, which is also mixed with palladium or nickel, as well as zinc and copper.

While 14k gold might technically be harder, that does not necessarily mean that it is more durable, nor better for jewelry than 18k white gold; but the lower gold content does make it more affordable, and the higher volume of nickel or palladium helps maintain the white color, which might explain why the majority of engagement rings are manufactured in 14k white gold.

However most jewelry designers, including Brian Gavin, seem to think that 18k white gold is a better option for finer quality engagement rings, because it looks and feels richer, looks brighter, and holds its luster and finish better than 14k white gold, and the difference in cost is actually pretty minimal given the fact that most engagement rings are not extremely heavy, and the difference in cost is spread out over the a lifetime of enjoyment.

I-color diamond set in 18k white gold:

I surmise from your question that you’re trying to figure out how an I-color diamond will look set in an 18k white gold ring like the Brian Gavin Anita halo setting; because quite a few of our clients ask questions, such as “will an I-color diamond look yellow set in white gold or platinum?” While the 0.888 carat, I-color, SI-1 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature diamond with medium blue fluorescence, exhibits a little more body color than the F-G color accent diamonds which are set in the ring, in our experience the difference in color is extremely slight when viewed from a top-down perspective, and our eyes tend to be drawn towards the brighter, larger, surface area presented by the center stone.

Thus a difference of a few color grades between the center stone and the accent diamonds, tends not to be something which most people seem able to discern, and I think that the 0.888 carat, I-color, SI-1 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature diamond will look perfectly fine set in the Anita halo setting from Brian Gavin; you could even select a diamond which is a color grade or two lower, or warmer in tone, if you so desire, the difference in diamond color will not be readily noticeable to most people, unless they are specifically looking to see a difference in color.