Post # 1
Member
1334 posts
Bumble bee
Hi bees!
I’ve hit a bit of a snag in my ring purchase. I am planning to get a Parisian Verragio design in 14K rose gold, namely D108. I can’t wear anything higher than 14K gold as I am allergic, but the jeweler says that Verragio can only make it in 20K gold as rose gold is more brittle than other gold. Everywhere I’ve searched online says NOTHING about rose gold being more brittle. Most websites also say that rose gold should not be made in a karat higher than 18K. Also the price difference they are asking for is almost $1000 more than I planned.
Since1910.com is selling the same ring with a 14K rose gold option on their website but I would rather purchase the ring in store because I am changing the colour of the surprise stones.
So is it true that 14K rose gold is more brittle than 14K white or yellow gold? The jeweler says they can definitely make it in 14K gold but it has to be white or yellow. If any bees who have Verragio rings could also tell me the karatage that would be greatly appreciated!
This is the ring for reference.
Post # 3
Member
776 posts
Busy bee
Your jeweler just wants more money. It won’t even look like rose gold if you get 20k. Plus, 20k any gold will be extremely fragile and easy to scratch.
I have a Verragio in 14k rose gold. It is just a special order, and actually cost us a couple hundred less than the 18k. We didn’t do it for cost, we did it for color.
Look on Verragio’s facebook page. They have a ton of rose gold rings. I think most of them say they are 18k, but still. That’s not 20k. Your jeweler is crazy.
Post # 4
Member
1334 posts
Bumble bee
@taylorkirby: When did you purchase yours? I talked to the Verragio rep and she said that in June they changed the karatage to 20K rose gold. I am baffled. Three companies are telling me that Verragio only does 20K rose gold.
Post # 5
Member
858 posts
Busy bee
I don’t have a rose gold, but I do technically have a Verragio ring. I had my custom made by a jeweler who replicated the ring I loved (due to price, he did it for a 3rd of what Verragio offers).
I did however look into Verragio a lot earlier this year, as Fiance was going to purchase from them originally, and at one point I thought about rose gold. I was specifically told they can do it in 14K, as that is what I wanted (and have now), so I agree, I think they’re just trying to get money from you.
If for some reason they changed it and won’t do it anymore, you could go the custom route and have it replicated by a jeweler. I’m surprised though, like said, 20K would be prone to scratches and what not.
Post # 6
Member
1231 posts
Bumble bee
@akirasan: I noticed it, too…the rose gold Verragio band I love is now only available in 20k! It looks like they did switch entirely to 20k for their standard rose gold offering. It’s unusual. My Verragio e-ring is in 18k rose…I wouldn’t want to wear 20k due to its softness.
Post # 8
Member
1334 posts
Bumble bee
@starla: I feel the same way! My parents wear 24K yellow gold, the pure stuff, and their pieces usually get so misshapen. With a ring style as intricate as Verragio I figured they wouldn’t use any extremely soft metal.
@Scorpio88: At this point I am thinking about replicating it with another jeweler. How did your replica turn out? I’ve been wary of going the custom route as I feel another jeweler wouldn’t be well versed in the design.
Post # 9
Member
7225 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@akirasan: My ring isn’t rose gold but I had a verragio ring replicated and it came out identical to the “real thing”, so just because a jeweler doesn’t work for the company doesn’t mean they can’t make a spot on replica. It’s just like people who replicate dresses — They’ve probably made that ring more times than you can think of.
Post # 10
Member
858 posts
Busy bee
@akirasan: This is the ring I had replicated, with my own tweaks to the halo (cushion instead of princess halo). The profile view was obviously what I loved about the ring the most, I wanted the same general idea, and it came out exactly how I wanted it.
The jeweler I went with, another bee on here had posted her Verragio replicated ring from him so I knew it’d come out great, but when I brought the photo to many different jewelers, they all knew the designer and said for sure they could replicate that. A good jeweler will work with you to get it just right too.
Post # 11
Member
1334 posts
Bumble bee
@Hyperventilate: I figured as much, but the jeweler was telling me it would be hard to replicate. She probably just wants the sale, lol.
@Scorpio88: Wow that is beautiful! I’m glad you had it done so well 🙂
@starla: Verragio and I have come to an agreement actually, in case you still want to go the 14K rose gold route. I am purchasing it in 14K white gold, but the jeweler will plate it in 14K rose gold for an extra $60 or so. I figure when the plating wears off in a couple of years or so I can just get it re-plated. Yay for solutions!
Post # 12
Member
776 posts
Busy bee
@akirasan: Man, sorry I suck at not responding in a timely manner! I literally thought about this thread every day, no joke. I am glad to see that you came to an agreement and can compromise!
This thread had me FREAKING OUT about finding a matching wedding band. I emailed my jeweler yesterday and she also confirmed they aren’t doing in 14k anymore except for accent colors. 🙁 I wonder why? Seems strange. Who gets rings in over 20k gold for an engagement/wedding ring? Wouldn’t that be awful soft?
Well at any rate, I am happy you found a solution 🙂