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An engagement ring lasts a lifetime, so choosing a metal which can stand the test of time is a crucial decision. Modern brides want a durable ring to withstand the rigour of everyday life, but stylish enough to transcend shifts in fashion trends. The two most common options for engagement rings are platinum and gold. The question often is, which metal is better as an engagement ring? A variety of factors come into play when it comes to choosing which option is best for you.

Appearance

Gold is a precious metal which naturally occurs in a yellow colour. Pure gold, also known as 24k gold, is too soft for high end jewellery, so it is often alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness. You may have heard the terms 18k or 14k gold while searching for your perfect engagement ring. These figures indicate the purity of gold, in this instance 75% and 58.3% gold respectively. The metal alloyed (mixed) with gold will impact the overall colour of the metal. For instance, to achieve white gold, the metal is mixed with palladium or rhodium. Rose gold, on the other hand, can be produced when gold is alloyed with copper. White gold is often plated in rhodium to make the metal appear whiter and increase its hardness. Over time, this can wear away, causing the ring to appear yellow.

Platinum, a rare element, is naturally silvery-white in colour, so over time it will not fade or change colour like white gold might. While it appears shiny when polished, overtime platinum can acquire a patina or sheen as it scratches from daily wear. Some people find this look desirable as it can make the diamond appear brighter, however others prefer a polished appearance.

Durability

While gold is considered soft at 2.5 – 3 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is often alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness and reduce the likelihood of scratching.

Platinum is 3.5 on the Mohs scale, meaning it is harder and less likely to scratch than pure gold. Platinum is one of the least reactive metals and is highly resistant to corrosion.

Gold is the most malleable (a.k.a. ability to deform under compressive stress) metal on earth, making it easy to reform if a clasp becomes loose. As platinum is less malleable, if a clasp becomes loose it is usually safer to remake the ring rather than reshape the claw as it does not reshape as well.

Cost

Gold per ounce is more expensive comparatively than platinum from 2011 onward. Currently you can purchase gold for $1,557.70 USD/ ounce (JM Bullion, February 2020). Platinum is approximately two-thirds of the price of gold at $966.40 USD/ ounce (JM Bullion, February 2020).

However, platinum is denser than gold, platinum’s density is 21.45 g/cm³, whereas the density of gold is 19.30 g/cm³. Furthermore, gold is usually sold as an alloy (remember jewellery is often 14k and 18k) whereas platinum is usually 95% pure, so relatively more platinum is required to make a ring. Hence, platinum is often more expensive overall.

Comfort

As mentioned, gold less than 24k is impure and consists of a mixture of metals. Some alloys like nickel can cause skin irritation or allergic reaction if the wearer has sensitive skin.

Platinum in contrast is a hypoallergenic metal. This means it is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction as it is 95% purity.

As platinum is denser than gold, a ring made from platinum holds more weight compared to a gold ring. Some people prefer the weight of the ring to be heavy, whereas others prefer a ring that is light on the skin.

Care

White gold plated with rhodium needs to be re-plated every few years to maintain the white colour. While there may be a small maintenance fee, some jewellers may offer this service free of charge. Likewise, platinum rings can require some maintenance, as the shiny finish may dull over time as the ring acquires a surface patina. To restore platinum from the slightly frosted/ scratched look, the ring can be soaked in warm soapy water and scrubbed with a soft-bristled brush. A professional service can also be completed to restore the shiny finish.

Harsh chemicals like chlorine and cleaning products can damage gold rings, so should be removed when cleaning. Conversely, platinum is relatively chemically resistant, so faces less wear and tear from chemicals.Ultimately the decision comes down to personal preference. There are arguments in favour of either option. If you have the budget and you want a metal with a white-grey finish, a heavy weight when worn and is hypoallergenic, then platinum is the choice for you! Otherwise, gold offers a variety of colours when mixed with different alloys and its easy on the pocket – leaving you more savings to put towards a beautiful centre stone!

Recently purchased or received a gold or platinum piece of jewellery? Get an instant quote now so that you can be comprehensively covered for accidental damage, loss and theft.

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The task of selecting the perfect engagement ring to suit both personality traits and style – not to mention budget – can be a daunting task. To help you in your quest, we look to the stars for a little bit of inspiration on the perfect fit for you or for your partner!

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Leo: July 23 – August 22

Characteristic: loyal, charitable, indulgent

Leo’s are notoriously loyal partners, so it is only fitting that a blue sapphire should feature in a Leo’s engagement ring. Leo’s are known to be charitable souls so having a Princess Kate inspired ring is the perfect fit.

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Virgo: August 23 – September 22

Characteristic: elegant, practical, fussy

The practical but flawlessly elegant Virgo deserves nothing less than a timeless diamond solitaire. Some Virgo’s are known to be fussy, so eliminate any risks by opting for a simplistic design.

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Libra: September 23 – October 22

Characteristic: artistic, lazy

Libra’s make a statement in whatever they are wearing with their bold artistic flare. This Heidi Gibson design would be perfect complement to any Libra’s wardrobe.

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Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Characteristic: mysterious, arrogant, sensible

A Scorpio’s style can be summarised as mysterious and sexy. A dark coloured gemstone such as a sapphire or tanzanite would be the perfect accompaniment for the sultry Scorpio.

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Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Characteristic: rational, rash

The brave hearted Sagittarius deserves a ring that matches their lively and optimistic personality. A yellow diamond on yellow gold is a must have for any Sagittarius.

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Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Characteristic: endearing, stubborn

The Capricorn is your typical “mom” friend, ready to take care of you and support you through whatever life has to offer. Their gentle, endearing nature combined with their need for practicality means a diamond engagement ring, surrounded by a halo of smaller supporting diamonds is the perfect match.

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Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

Characteristic: unique, hasty

Always a step ahead of the latest trends, the Aquarius partner can be found sporting the most unique and quirky ring. The key to success is balancing originality with an enduring design.

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Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Characteristic: friendly, sentimental

A Pisces sees beauty in vintage styles that have come and gone. The sentimental Pisces is bound to have a stunning heirloom ring on their finger for the rest of their lives.

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Aries: March 21 – April 19

Characteristic: adventurous, impulsive

The adventurous Aries is always on the lookout for something that will catch people’s eyes. Impulsive at times, an Aries is likely to be upsold to the most generous sized rock. However the sheer size of the stone is purely symbolic of their passionate love.

10/12

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

Characteristic: stubborn, romantic

The go-to ring for the stubborn, hopelessly romantic Taurus would be an intense ruby paired with a fine diamond halo detail.

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Gemini: May 21 – June 20

Characteristic: smart, charming, fickle

Gemini’s are typically the most charming, quick-witted sort in a pack. The brilliantly smart Gemini would suit a strikingly cut emerald shaped diamond. However, their somewhat capricious tendency suggests that a simple design could be a wise choice.

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Cancer: June 21 – July 22

Characteristic: careful, greedy

The careful Cancer has an elegant and luxurious style. This spectacular oval diamond ring is sure to tick all the boxes.

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The Romantic

A romantic wants to be swept away by the magical expression of love in the proposal. If your partner wants to propose with the perfect ring, but doesn’t want to ruin the surprise chances are he will approach a close family member or friend. You could even ask family/ friends to drop a hint – either way, make sure your nearest and dearest know exactly what you want so that they can pass on the message!

Straight Shooter

There is not a lot of room for error if you clearly select out the perfect ring for your partner as soon as you have the slightest inkling that a proposal is imminent. That way when he does finally pop the question, the only doubt you might have is whether he will take care of his own dirty laundry. Showing your partner pictures of the exact ring you want is the sure-fire way to guarantee an ecstatic yes!

The Over Thinker

The Dilemma: you want the ring of your dreams, but you don’t want to ruin the surprise of the proposal. Showing your partner pictures of famous celebrity or friends ring’s that you like will give him an indication of your style but isn’t in your face enough to give him night sweats about marriage. Another subtle approach is to have screenshots of your favourite engagement ring style stored in your camera roll. That way next time you are showing your partner a picture on your phone they might accidentally swipe past the dream ring. If you share a computer you could leave open a jewellers page so that when your partner next checks his emails he might stumble upon your hint.

The Collaborative Type

You are about to become the ultimate dream team with your partner, so why not collaborate and shop for the engagement ring together? It’s a direct approach that does come with the downside of ruining the surprise, but it means that you will be able to try on different styles and see what will look nice. You are guaranteed to get the ring that you want if you choose the style yourself. Plus the upside is that you will have created your first joint project as a soon-to-be engaged couple.

The Laidback Type

If you are impartial to the exact ring design but have certain broad likes/ dislikes make sure he is aware of it. For example, if you absolutely hate halo engagement rings drop a hint. That way your partner will have free reign of the design but won’t make the mistake of getting it completely wrong.

Indecisive

If you are not sure what type of ring you want but you know at least one detail such as the metal colour/ type, you should exclusively wear that colour/ metal type in the prelude to an engagement. Your partner will most likely look to your existing jewellery to get inspiration for the one ring to rule them all.

Choosy

If you are particular about the finer details when it comes down to diamond selection like the 4 C’s (carat, colour, clarity, cut), make sure you engage in dialogue with your partner about how each of these diamond characteristics will impact on the overall aesthetic of the diamond. Knowledge is power when it comes to choosing the perfect engagement ring, so being informed is key. The GIA website 4C’s of Diamond Quality by GIA has assembled educational modules which give an introductory overview into diamond grading.

Once you have your dream ring carefully hand picked out, all that is left to do is sort out some insurance to make sure you never lose sight of it. To get an instant quote for insurance with Centrestone, click here.

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While almost everyone has heard the famous De Beer’s marketing slogan, “Diamonds are forever,” it does not necessarily mean you want to go around testing this truism with your own precious engagement ring. Maintaining the brand new feeling of your engagement ring take a bit of TLC every single day, 7 days week, 365 days a year. While this may sound a little overwhelming, we have jotted down a few simple steps you can implement into your very own jewellery care routine.

It is important to keep in mind each of these tips in a timely manner to make sure that your ring stays in perfect condition.

Along with the tips outlined above, it is also essential to always be on the look for any vulnerabilities in the setting of your ring.  Missing or bent prongs or shifted stones can indicate that your stone may be susceptible and dislodge from its setting.

It is important to set up a routine for a safe and memorable location for your ring if you need to remove it. When not being worn at home, it should be stored in a fabric pouch or section of your jewellery box to prevent it from being scratched by other jewellery.

The key to a flawless jewellery care routine is setting up a good routine. Make a habit of removing your ring when doing anything that may potentially result in damage. A calendar reminder is useful for remembering maintenance tips like annual cleaning, revaluations and inspections. If you have your jewellery insured, your yearly renewal is the perfect reminder for to take your ring for an inspection!

To get a quote for Centrestone Jewellery Insurance click here!

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Thinking of buying the perfect engagement ring for the love of your life? Make sure you get it insured from the moment you step out of the jewellery store! Get a quick QUOTE HERE.

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The Royal family is host to the one of the most extensive jewellery collections in the world. The Crown Jewels which form part of the Royal Collection encompass an array of crowns, jewellery, robes and other ceremonial regalia. So it should come as no surprise that the various engagement rings within the Royal family are some of the most extravagant and renowned pieces in the world.

1. Meghan Markel’s Engagement Ring

In November 2017, Harry and Meghan officially announced their engagement at Kensington palace. Prince Harry designed the ring used to propose to Meghan himself using diamonds which belonged to his mother, the late Princess Diana.

The yellow gold diamond trilogy ring took Prince Harry 6 months to design. The centre stone is a 3.5ct cushion cut diamond from Botswana, symbolic of the time Harry spent their growing up and of the couples recent holiday to the African nation. The centre stone is accompanied by a 0.75ct round brilliant diamond on either side which were part of Princess Diana’s collection.

The ring was crafted by Cleave and Company, a British jeweller who is known for their commissioned work including jewels, insignia, state gifts and Object d ’Art for head of state and national governments. The ring is believed to be worth an estimated £250,000.

2. Diana and Kate’s Engagement Ring

Arguably one of the most famous coloured gemstone rings in the world, Princess Diana’s engagement ring contained a vivid blue 12ct Oval Ceylon Sapphire set in 18ct White Gold. The main centre stone is surrounded by 14 round brilliant diamonds.

The ring was considered unusual at the time because it was not a custom or a unique design. The sapphire ring designed by the Crown Jewellers Garrad & Co Ltd was featured in the company’s jewellery collection at the time Diana selected it, available to anyone for purchase. To this day it is often referred to as the commoners ring.

Following Diana’s death, Prince William and Harry were brought to Kensington Palace to select mementos from their late mother’s collection. Surprisingly, William selected Diana’s yellow gold Cartier watch and Harry was the one who selected and came into possession of the sapphire engagement ring. They eventually exchanged keepsakes, with Prince William going on to propose to Kate in Kenya with Diana’s ring in 2010.

After Diana’s and Prince Charles proposal in 1981 and William and Kate’s engagement in 2010, the jewellery industry observed a popularisation of coloured gemstones for engagement rings. The famous Ceylon sapphire ring is rumoured to be valued at approximately £300,000 today.

3. Queen Elizabeth’s Engagement Ring

When discussing famous regal engagement rings, it is hard to go past the ring of the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by Prince Philip and crafted by the London jeweller Philip Antrobus Ltd, the ring features a stunning 3.00ct Old Cut diamond. The diamond is set in platinum, with 5 smaller side diamonds pave set on each shoulder.

Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg (who is incidentally the great grand-daughter of Queen Victoria) gifted Philip her diamond encrusted tiara in order to fashion the diamond’s used in Elizabeth’s ring. The engagement ring is estimated to be valued at around £200,000 today.

The Queens’ collection is said to contain over 1,000 individual pieces of exquisite jewellery. Some of the most famous pieces are of course her coronation necklace and the imperial state crown. Some of the crown jewels are still on display at the Tower of London under heavily armed guard.

If you don’t have a castle or armed guards to protect your jewellery, make sure its comprehensively insured! Get an INSTANT QUOTE to find out how little it will cost you now!

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Choosing the best method of cleaning your jewellery usually depends on the metals that make up your piece of jewellery.

Most rings are composed of gold, whether it is yellow, white or rose gold – or an alloy mixture. Pure gold is 24 carat gold. Alternatively, an alloy of gold has a carat of less than 24. A gold alloy is a mixture of gold with other metals in order to alter the properties i.e. increase hardness or durability. Gold alloys usually contain mixtures of platinum, palladium, zine, iron and copper. Since gold is a soft, malleable metal, it can be prone to scratching. Mixing it with other metals helps to improve the longevity and durability of the jewellery while maintaining the aesthetic appeal.

Here is a quick guide to help keep your gold jewellery looking fresh and bright.

How to Clean Gold Jewellery

Any commercial jewellery cleaning solution specifically created for cleaning gold (check the label!) can be used to safely and efficiently maintain the shine of your gold jewellery.

Alternatively, in the absence of commercial products, you can keep your gold glowing with a mild and simple solution:

1. Mix dishwashing detergent in warm (not hot!) water
2. Add a few drops of ammonia (optional)
3. Very carefully brush the jewellery with a soft bristled, unused baby toothbrush
4. Rinse in a dish of lukewarm water
5. Carefully air or towel dry

Note: gold is a soft metal so be gentle when brushing and drying the jewellery.

Avoid Tarnishing Hazards

Gold can be easily tarnished, so it is best to avoid abrasive substances such as:

Soap – Steer clear of any soaps with unknown ingredients. Gentle soaps with known ingredients are acceptable, however it is best to avoid wearing gold jewellery when showering to avoid build-up of films from other body washes.

Chlorine – Chlorine can damage and discolour gold jewellery. At elevated temperatures it becomes a particularly high risk (e.g. in a hot spa). Remember to remove your gold when swimming in chlorine pools or when cleaning with chlorine bleaches to avoid tarnishing from occurring.

Cleaning and Maintaining Diamonds

Diamonds are the most popular stone in engagement rings. The method of cleaning gold jewellery is also suitable for cleaning diamonds. Soaking the diamond in a lukewarm detergent solution and gently brushing dirt off with a soft toothbrush should be regularly completed to keep your diamond looking beautiful and bright.

A few extra tips that help to keep your rock sparkling include:

Handle Diamond Sparingly – when diamonds are handled, the natural oils from your fingertips deposit onto the diamond’s surface. This can affect the brilliance and fire of the diamond, making it appear dull and lack luster.

Clean the Back of the Diamond – when using a soft bristled toothbrush to clean your diamond, ensure you clean the hard to reach places like the back of the diamond which tends to accumulate the most oil and dirt affecting the light that can penetrate into the diamond and produce its shine.

When cleaning be mindful of what might damage your jewellery:

Use a Gentle Touch – when cleaning be careful with fragile settings such as prongs in antique jewellery or tension settings which hold the diamond in place by applying pressure via the shank. Vigorous scrubbing or rubbing should be avoided to make sure diamonds are not dislodged.

Avoid Hazardous Solutions – chlorine and other abrasive chemicals (e.g. toothpaste and household cleaners) can damage the setting metal.

Avoid Soaking for Extended Periods – diamonds set in delicate pave or basket settings should not be soaked for extended periods otherwise some diamonds may become loose.

Use Ultrasonic Cleaners with Caution – ultrasonic cleaners can be useful in removing encrusted dirt by sending low frequency sound waves through a solution. However they can shake loose stones from fragile settings or chip the girdles of diamonds set close together. It should definitely be avoided if the diamond has been treated by fracture filling.

Other General Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Storage – When storing diamond jewellery, ensure it is kept separate from other jewellery. Diamonds can not only scratch other jewellery but can cut other diamonds. Also be mindful when storing other stones such as pearls and opals. Pearls and opals draw moisture from the air, so storing them in a dry area such as a safe deposit box may cause them to become brittle and break.

Be Careful with Heat and Light – light can affect the colour and durability of the gemstone. Gemstones such as topaz, kunzite, amethyst and shell which have been exposed to large amounts of light overtime can fade and become destroyed. Amber can darken over time if exposed to excessive light. Also under extreme exposure to light, pearls and delicate materials such as ivory can become bleached.

Heat or sudden changes in temperature can cause fractures to some stones. Pearls are inclined drying out and cracking or discolouring if in high temperatures. Similarly, opals can develop micro cracks and discolour to white or brown if heated.

Give Extra Care to Treated Gems – some gemstones are treated to maximise the appearance of colour or clarity. Heats, solvents, steam and ultrasonic cleaners can adversely affect the treatments on these gems. Gemstone reports such as GIA are helpful for determining if a stone has been treated.

Once you’ve gone through the process of choosing your perfect engagement ring, make sure its protected! Get an INSTANT QUOTE to find out how little it will cost you now!

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Budget:

While this may seem obvious, when most people they start out on the journey of searching for that perfect engagement ring to represent their love, they aren’t aware of what they actually get for their hard earned money. Knowing how much you want to spend will allow the jeweller to advise you the best course to take with your search for the perfect engagement ring!

Coloured stones are a popular way to get more bang for your buck, as you can get a much larger stone than a similarly priced diamond. Since Princess Diana’s ring was given to Kate Middleton, the popularity of Ceylon Sapphires has driven a trend in coloured stone engagement rings!

To maximise your budget, look for stones with a good “spread” meaning the width of the stone as a 1ct stone with slightly more width will look larger than a 1ct stone that has a deeper cut.

Shape:

When choosing a ring, the whole design will revolve around the shape of the centre stone. By narrowing down your search to within the boundaries of 1 or 2 cuts, you will be then able to focus your attention to the other factors that will make your future item of jewellery the perfect ring for you.

If you don’t have a certain preference for any shape in particular, the safe options are the ‘classics’ such as a round or a square shape. If you want to be a little more adventurous, shapes such as pears, ovals and marquise diamonds look larger on the finger due to the weight of the stone being distributed in a narrower stone depth.

Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat:

• Clarity: Like any stone, diamonds have ‘inclusions’ within the stone which are a result of the formation of the stone under heat and pressure. Stones with less inclusions are seen to be more valuable due to their purity and rarity.
• Carat: The carat of a stone is often mistaken to be its size, but it refers to a diamonds weight. Carat is a unit of mass equal to 200mg or 0.2 grams.

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