Engagement Rings

[DarkAmeba]

I am looking to invest in an engagement ring for my gf of 2.5 years within the next couple of months. We have actually looked at rings together, so I have a good idea of what she likes. I definitely need to get something with the white gold look to it.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the platinum vs white gold dilemma? I've heard arguments both ways. The story I've heard most is that platinum is better as it lasts better and never yellows, so no re-plating every year. Obviously, it's a lot more money, and I hear platinum scratches easier. My initial thought is to spend the extra and get platinum, because this ring is something I definitely want to last forever for her. Anyone have any experience/ideas?

 

[Howard]

http://www.diamonex.com/products_diamondshield.htm

 

[tranceport]

white gold has my vote.

 

[BigToque]

I prefer platinum for 2 reasons.

The first and biggest reason is that I simply prefer the weight of the material. It's heavier and just feels substantial.

The second reason is of the look that platinum will get over time. Over the years, as you scratch your ring, it will begin to dull and get what's called a "patina". You can get it polished again (but I love the look - the diamond always looks new and the ring shows you've had a long relationship )

Consider this +1 vote for platinum, but don't break the bank just because you think you'll get a bigger "wow". Buy what you're comfortable with

Congrats

 

[Journer]

titanium FTW

 

[Auric]

Fossilized truffle FTW.

 

[Apex]

Platinum is noticably heavier, which imparts the feeling of quality. It's also harder to scratch, which is a huge plus for something you (hopefully) plan to keep forever. Fewer people are allergic to platinum. It has a more satin-like sheen, whereas white gold is noticably more shiny (though not as shiny as silver). Neither should need replating, since you'll probably be buying solid platinum or solid white gold. Platinum is more costly, obviously.

 

[Zee]

the band is nothing. put money into the rock.

 

[Stiganator]

Buy a cheap ring, use the money for a good honeymoon(s).

 

[NanoStuff]

My suggestion would be stainless steel.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: BigToque
The second reason is of the look that platinum will get over time. Over the years, as you scratch your ring, it will begin to dull and get what's called a "patina". You can get it polished again (but I love the look - the diamond always looks new and the ring shows you've had a long relationship )

White gold will also yellow and age over time if you don't get it re-flashed occasionally. If the look of aging is what you're after you might as well go with white gold.

 

[krunchykrome]

Platinum, definetly. If you cant afford platinum, at least get Palladium.

 

[GoatMonkey]

Jewelry is such a scam. You get a shiny piece of metal with a shiny rock attached to it, and the damn thing costs thousands of dollars. It's a freakin rock. But I guess you gotta do it for your girl.

 

[Descartes]

I would definitely go platinum. The wife and I both have platinum rings, and they do take on a somewhat vintage look as they age a little. I don't know how white gold looks when it needs to be replated, but just the idea of having to replace it turns me away. The increased weight, intrinsic value and appearance of platinum was enough for me to decide.

 

[silverpig]

White gold is usually 18k and is plated with rhodium. After a while it wears off and the ring goes yellowish. I bought my wife an 18k white gold engagement ring because it was cheaper than platinum and allowed me to spend more on the diamonds.

When we got our wedding rings, she had hers custom made to fit the engagement ring. We knew a jeweller and he made her wedding ring out of 19k white gold which does not have the rhodium plating and does not yellow. Even though she's only had the engagement ring for 10 months now, and the wedding ring for 2, the engagement ring is noticably yellow compared to the wedding ring.

For mine I looked at palladium and didn't really like it. I wanted something kind of silvery in colour (ie not yellow gold), and wanted it to be durable. I ended up going with tungsten carbide and I love it

 

[Aharami]

i dabated with this issue also but ended up going with white gold. Yea Platinum is heavier and gives it a more quality feel to the ring, but it dulls easier. White gold will have to be rhodium plated in a few years. Not a big deal for me because in 5-10 yrs, i plan on taking the diamond out of this this ring and putting it as the main stone in a three stone ring for her.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

My wife and I have titanium rings. I love the things. Very light compared to gold, which may be good or bad, but the way it holds it's finish and shape is amazing.

My ring style
Wife's engagement ring -- It's funny watching people handle this ring--they think the stone will fall out.
Can't find her wedding ring on there right now.

 

[rh71]

Platinum, especially for an engagement ring.

I got her a platinum engagement ring but we settled for white gold wedding bands. She wears both and the fade of the white gold is quite noticeable. It's not on mine (at least to the naked eye) because I work from home and wear it like once a month. Don't do white gold, especially on the diamond ring which gets worn/shown off.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Aharami
i dabated with this issue also but ended up going with white gold. Yea Platinum is heavier and gives it a more quality feel to the ring, but it dulls easier. White gold will have to be rhodium plated in a few years. Not a big deal for me because in 5-10 yrs, i plan on taking the diamond out of this this ring and putting it as the main stone in a three stone ring for her.

Might want to make sure she's cool with that. My finacee would probably kill me if I were to take apart her engagement ring. Women put a lot of sentimental value in things like that. But if thats what she wants, do it for sure -you'll probably get laid for it

To the OP, I think white gold is the better way to go. If you get platinum engagement ring then you need platinum wedding band and that just gets more expensive. I think the money is better spent on a really nice diamond.

On that topic, check out BlueNile.com I got my fiancee's ring there and was very happy.

 

[SpiderWiz]

Twisty Ties FTW

 

[Scarpozzi]

We got white gold. The downside is that we have to get it replated with Rhodium every 6 months or so for it to look REALLY good. Otherwise, it starts to look slightly yellow....especially around the prongs. It freaked me out because within 3 months of me giving her the engagement ring, it started to yellow in spots. I didn't know anything about white gold jewelry. We've never been charged to replate it....some places have a rhodium bath in the back of the shop and plating takes 5 minutes: while other will have to send the ring off for a day or so.

 

[kevnich2]

My vote is for platinum. Other than some scratches (which they will all get), it looks as good as the day I bought it for my wife. My wedding ring is white gold but since it's the only ring on my finger, I don't notice any blemishes with it. Every couple of years, we take the rings in and get them polished so the scratches come out.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: silverpig
White gold is usually 18k and is plated with rhodium. After a while it wears off and the ring goes yellowish. I bought my wife an 18k white gold engagement ring because it was cheaper than platinum and allowed me to spend more on the diamonds.

When we got our wedding rings, she had hers custom made to fit the engagement ring. We knew a jeweller and he made her wedding ring out of 19k white gold which does not have the rhodium plating and does not yellow. Even though she's only had the engagement ring for 10 months now, and the wedding ring for 2, the engagement ring is noticably yellow compared to the wedding ring.

For mine I looked at palladium and didn't really like it. I wanted something kind of silvery in colour (ie not yellow gold), and wanted it to be durable. I ended up going with tungsten carbide and I love it

Tungsten carbide? You better tell them to use a hammer if the ring ever needs to be removed.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: DarkAmeba
I am looking to invest in an engagement ring for my gf of 2.5 years within the next couple of months. We have actually looked at rings together, so I have a good idea of what she likes. I definitely need to get something with the white gold look to it.

1. What's with people who plan their proposals? Isn't it supposed to be like a surprise or something?
2. ROFL @ "invest"
3. If you say you're spending two months salary, I'm going to reach through the intartubes and smack you.
4. It's not too late to run.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: DarkAmeba
I am looking to invest in an engagement ring for my gf of 2.5 years within the next couple of months. We have actually looked at rings together, so I have a good idea of what she likes. I definitely need to get something with the white gold look to it.

1. What's with people who plan their proposals? Isn't it supposed to be like a surprise or something?
2. ROFL @ "invest"
3. If you say you're spending two months salary, I'm going to reach through the intartubes and smack you.
4. It's not too late to run.

I made this face when he said "invest" also.

Two months salary isnt a big deal though.