Wedding bands – 10k or 14k white gold?

• cassclaw
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: July 2014

I mentioned this on another thread, but my FI and I have recently decided on our wedding bands and will be getting them for each other for Christmas. Here is the style we picked:

For him: 6mm white gold comfort fit with milgrain edging

For me: Ditto, but 3mm 🙂

The place where I’m ordering them from offers each ring in each size in either 10k, 14k, 18k gold, or platinum. We’ve ruled out platinum – it’s prohibitively expensive, scratches easier, and neither of us like the patina it gets after extended wear. We’ve also ruled out 18k white gold – again, it’s a little too expensive, and is the softest of the gold karats and would scratch too easily for our daily wear.

So that leaves us with 10k or 14k white gold. I know the difference between the two in terms of percentage of pure gold in the alloy, but I can’t decide which would be better to get. On the one hand, 10k is more economical and I have read that it is stronger and lasts longer with daily wear. (My engagement ring is 10k gold and still looks just fine after about 5 months.) Neither of us are allergic to nickel as far as we know so that shouldn’t be an issue. And I would think that even if/when any rhodium plating wore off that 10k would still look whiter in color due to the lower gold content.

On the other hand, 14k white gold is technically more valuable/”precious”, and is also said to be pretty strong, whereas 10k is more alloy than actual gold. Not sure if that really matters, though.

My FI works in a lab doing quality checks for a pizza sauce manufacturing company. Given the nature of the chemicals he works with (silver nitrate, nitric acid, and sodium hydroxide) he might not be able to wear any ring at work (he was in the habit of taking off the engagement ring I bought him, before he lost it, lol). Even if he has to take it off at work, he’s likely to be pretty rough on it when he does wear it, so I’m leaning toward 10k gold for his ring. Also, he wears a size 14, so 10k would be MUCH more affordable. Especially if he loses it and I have to buy a replacement! Is 10k white gold really more durable for rough wear than 14k?

For my ring I’m not sure. I’d like to think I’m at least a little gentler with my jewelry, but then again, I work in an elementary school with kids all day, so I also need something that can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’ so to speak. 🙂

Is 14k worth the extra money? Is it more/less durable than 10k? Would anyone notice the difference between the two? Are there differences in wear over time (does 14k look a bit “yellower” after extended wear)? Which one would be easier to get resized if necessary? Any input/experience from bees with white gold rings would be appreciated!

• cassclaw
• 4 years ago

• Wedding: July 2014

Thanks everybody for your input! Seems like 10k is the way to go.

This website has some info about the differences between 10k, 14k and 18k that I found to be very helpful as well:

“10k Gold

10 karat gold is a good choice for fine jewelry. The pure gold content of this metal is 41.7%, or 10 out of 24 parts (10/24). 10k is especially good for a white gold choice as the lesser gold content makes the metal naturally paler. 10k gold is very durable and will last a lifetime with care. As the gold content is less, and the nickel content is greater, people who are allergic to nickel may be more affected with a 10k ring.

14k Gold

14 karat gold is the fine jewelry standard and 90% of fine jewelry sold in America is 14k. The gold content of 14k is 58.5%, or 14/24. 14k gold is an excellent selection and balances affordability with value.

18k Gold

18 karat gold has long been the standard for high-end jewelry. Most jewelry from the finest sources such as Tiffany and Cartier is 18k. The gold content of 18k is 75%, or 18/24.

Other than exclusivity there is little practical reason to purchase 18k. It is softer and more malleable than 14 K gold and is more prone to wear and loose stone problems. Also, as the gold content is higher and the color of the metal is naturally more “gold colored,” 18k white gold requires rhodium plating more often.

However, if your desire is jewelry in yellow gold, the luster and deep color of 18 karat is noticeably superior.“

So it looks like 10k gold really is the winner in terms of practicality and durability, especially for white gold.