[trains are bad]

Yeah, gold as in Au. Is 18k really better than 14k for rings/wedding bands? I was going to get 18k without hesitation but I heard that 14k was actually more durable, and I've heard about people wearing through gold rings before. Does 18k actually scratch or dent easier?

 

[guzziguy]

double post

 

[guzziguy]

Forget it. She's never going to buy that story!

 

[trains are bad]

OK, seriously. I'm not trying to cheap out I just really don't know.

 

[beerguy0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trains are bad /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, gold as in Au. Is 18k really better than 14k for rings/wedding bands? I was going to get 18k without hesitation but I heard that 14k was actually more durable, and I've heard about people wearing through gold rings before. Does 18k actually scratch or dent easier?

18K is a higher percentage of gold (24K is pure gold, 18K is 75% gold, and 14K is 58.3%), and hence is softer and more prone to wearing out. Gold rings do get thinner. My wife has had to have her engagement ring built up, although hers was an antique ring to start with. I also remember my mom having to have her wedding rings built up. 18K is more valuable because of the higher gold content, but both are fine for jewelry. The 18K may have to be built up sooner, though.

 

[Illah]

It will wear faster for sure. How fast it will wear depends on how you treat it more than anything. I have a platinum ring but I try and take it off when doing dishes, I wear riding gloves when cycling, etc. It's holding up pretty well. Most of the scratches on it are from the beach in Hawaii during the Honeymoon

Wet sand/rocks = loads of scratches.

The good thing is over time it develops a patina, which is basically a friendly way of saying 'so many scratches it's matte instead of shiny'. It actually looks pretty good though. A polished ring with one scratch stands out but a nice patina will only look funny if there's a huge gouge in it.

Not sure if gold gets the classic patina or just looks beat up...

--Illah

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

If this is your first marriage I should tell you that 99.999% of all married people lose their wedding band at least once. It'll be gone before it breaks most likely. Don't worry... you'll be fine with 18K

 

[mrarroyo]

Besides K being "softer" than K it has a different color. Put them side by side and you will see what I am talking about.

Get a platinum band.

 

[velogreg]

If you are buying jewelry for a girlfriend or fiance, now is not the time to be practical. Put your analytical side on hold, it is image and marketing. Buy on "beauty", "durable" jewelry wont fly. IMHO go with the 18K. Good luck.