Our rings are available in a variety of precious and certain non-precious metals. This guide is designed to help you decide which will be best for your ring ... not only as a symbol of today's celebration, but as an asset to treasure in all the years ahead.

Platinum

	Key to Metal Guide Chart

The most precious metal commonly found in jewelry over the last 200 years is platinum. Platinum's gray white color is deep and rich. Platinum is rare metal. Ten tons of platinum ore is required to process a single ounce of pure platinum. Possessing the highest density, in fact 60% more dense than gold, platinum is incomparable among the precious metals.

Palladium

Palladium is a noble metal from which fine jewelry is fashioned using a 950 alloy. It has a natural white luster that creates the perfect setting to enhance the beauty of diamonds and does not need to be rhodium plated. It is naturally hypoallergenic and equivalent to the purity of Platinum 950.

14k/18k White Gold

With a rich, white, mirror like luster perfect for setting fine diamonds, the classy look of white gold enhances the tradition of engagement rings and wedding rings. White gold has the same properties as yellow gold except that is it mixed with nickel and zinc to give it a white color. White gold is typically plated with an even whiter metal, such as rhodium (a rare member of the platinum family), to enhance its appearance.

14k/18k Yellow Gold

In ancient times, the natural yellow color of gold inspired people to associate this precious metal with the healing effects of sunlight. Gold was perceived to harness the power of sunlight and was incorporated into every symbolic aspect of ancient life. It is Gold's softness and natural beauty that make it appealing in jewelry. Over time, certain percentages of gold have become legally recognized "karats". The karat indicates the amount of gold as a percentage of the metal. 24k is pure gold, 18k is 75% gold (25% is other metals) and 14k is 58.33% gold (41.67 % other metals). These other metals provide the various colors and hardness of karate golds.

Titanium

Titanium is a lustrous grey metallic element used principally to make lightweight, resistant alloys. While Titanium has been known to us for many years, it was originally used in aerospace and salt water projects, becoming widely used in commercial applications and now in jewelry designs during the last two decades. One reason why titanium wedding rings are gaining in popularity, especially with men, is because of its strength that belies its light weight feel.

Tungsten

Tungsten with carbon and other elements are ground into a powder and then compressed with high¬pressure dies to form a round blank. The blank is then fired in an oxygen free furnace at 2400 degrees Fahrenheit to form an extraordinarily hard ring. The ring is then cut and shaped using diamond tools with approximately 30 steps required for completion. The cutting and shaping of a tungsten carbide ring is similar in many ways to the cutting and polishing of a rough diamond. The heavy weight of a tungsten carbide ring and the enduring finish speak of commitment, security and an everlasting bond.

INTRINSIC VALUE

This is the basic worth of a metal. Prices of all metals fluctuate according to supply in the market and demand by consumers. The more pure and precious a metal, the more limited its availability tends to be. Scarcity drives demand, making a metal like platinum more likely to maintain its intrinsic value over time.

LIFE SPAN

In addition to a metal's ability to withstand wear and tear, life span is judged by certain practicalities. Both platinum and tungsten are highly durable. But tungsten rings cannot be re sized. If your fingers change over time, and they usually do, a tungsten ring would have a far shorter life span than platinum.

Precious Metal Purity

How much precious metal content does your ring actually have? 14k gold is a mix of 58% pure gold and 42% non precious metal. 18k gold is 75% pure. Platinum, palladium, titanium and tungsten are all at least 90 - 95% pure, but of these metals, only platinum and palladium are considered precious.

Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic metals reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response by minimizing potentially irritating substances. Platinum and palladium are the only hypoallergenic precious metals.

Surface Strength

How much metal (and consequently value) will a ring lose to scratching and denting? All metals scratch, but with gold that scratch actually removes a sliver of metal. With platen scratching just ripples the surface. The displaced metal can be moved back into place with polishing.

Restoration Factor

Can your ring be made to look new again? Can it be refinished, re-sized, or re-conditioned easily? Platinum performs beautifully in each case. Something that can't be said for other metals.

Rarity

This relates not only to the scarcity of a given metal, but to the demand for it in uses other than jewelry. For example, while supply of both platinum and palladium are very limited, platinum is utilized in far more ways than palladium. Medical industrial interests also compete for this already scarce metal. Greater demand on a smaller supply makes platinum, more highly prized.