Enjoy these lovely examples:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111820386/diamond-engagement-ring-engagement-ring |
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/art-deco-platinum-engagement-ring-pid-1056-44.html |
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111820386/diamond-engagement-ring-engagement-ring |
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/art-deco-platinum-engagement-ring-pid-1056-44.html |
Carat
|
Cut
|
Color
|
Clarity
|
1.01
|
Very Good
|
J
|
VS2
|
0.92
|
Very Good
|
G
|
VS1
|
0.84
|
Super Ideal
|
H
|
VS1
|
0.84
|
Excellent
|
G
|
VVS2
|
0.80
|
Super Ideal
|
H
|
VVS1
|
0.79
|
Very Good
|
F
|
VVS2
|
0.78
|
Super Ideal
|
H
|
IF
|
0.74
|
Super Ideal
|
G
|
VVS1
|
0.71
|
Super
Ideal
|
G
|
IF
|
0.71
|
Super
Ideal
|
E
|
VVS1
|
0.71
|
Ideal
|
D
|
VVS1
|
0.65
|
Super Ideal
|
D
|
VVS1
|
0.52
|
Super Ideal
|
D
|
IF
|
Platinum
|
Palladium
|
Gold
|
|
Color
over time
|
White-silvery grey
Retains color
|
White-silvery grey, a touch darker than platinum
Retains color
|
Yellow, white, or rose
White gold fades to yellow
|
Price
|
$$$
Expensive, can be 2x gold price or more
|
$-$$
Affordable, can be equal or slightly more than gold
|
$
Affordable
|
Sample price comparision:
The same ring (4.5mm band) from
one retailer in multiple metals
|
$845
|
$396
|
$407: 18k
$303: 14k
|
Hardness
|
Hard, but softest of the 3 here.
Doesn’t lose metal if scratched, scratches can be professionally polished
back to original.
|
10% harder than platinum, more scratch resistant.
Doesn’t lose metal if scratched, scratches can be professionally polished
back to original.
|
Hardest of the 3 here, most scratch resistant. 14k harder than 18k.
Can lose metal if scratched
|
Weight
|
Heaviest, almost 2x as heavy as gold
|
Notably lighter than platinum, similar to gold
|
Notably lighter than platinum, similar to palladium
|
Sheen
over time
|
Softer shine than gold
Develops a patina over time (appealing, aged quality to sheen)
|
Softer shine than gold
Develops a patina over time (appealing, aged quality to sheen)
|
Most reflective, mirror-like shine
No patina, retains shine
|
Hypoallergenic
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
(~10% of people allergic to nickel alloys found in gold)
|
Availability
|
Less common than gold, but solid availability
Virtually every jeweler works with platinum
|
Less common, fewer available options
May not find a jeweler who can work with palladium in some areas
|
High availability means lots of setting options
Virtually every jeweler works with gold
|