14k or 18k gold? Understanding the difference between gold alloys and other precious metals will help you choose what's best for you.

Factors to consider-

1. Durability/ wearability - choose an alloy that meets the demands of your daily activities. If you work with your hands 14K gold is a good option as it is more durable.

2. Value/cost - Consider the value of the metal over time as well as your budget. Sterling silver is the most affordable option, but also less valuable, softer, and prone to oxidize. higher carat gold will cost you more but also retain more value over time. 

3. Color - Certain alloys can be more flattering on different skin tones. 14K is a more neutral gold that looks good on all skin tones. Higher gold content has more yellow and tends to look best on darker, warmer, and olive skin tones.

Which is better for an engagement, wedding or everyday ring? I most commonly cast in 14k yellow gold. Here is a break down of composition and why 14K gold is a popular choice for heirloom jewelry.

24K Gold
Composition-
Gold: 99.9%
Pure gold is extremely soft and malleable, scoring only 2.5 on the MOHS scale, and so it is alloyed with tougher metals like copper and silver. Unrefined natural gold extracted from the earth often contains trace impurities. It is first refined to 99% gold - 24K, before it is alloyed. 24K is not recommended for most jewelry as it is so soft you can scratch it with a fingernail. 

18K Gold
Composition-
Gold: 75%
Copper, Silver, Zinc: 25%
18k has a higher gold content than 14k, (18 parts vs 14 is a good way to think of it.) Thus producing a more rich yellow gold that is slightly softer than 14k, yet still very practical for everyday wear. It looks best on darker and more olive tone skin. It is hypoallergenic but can cause discoloration on some due to the copper and silver content.

14K Gold
Composition-
Gold: 58.3%
Copper, Silver, Zinc: 42.8%
A popular choice for its affordability and durability, 14k yellow is 58% pure gold alloyed with silver, copper and zinc. It has more copper content and delivers a beautiful neutral warm that compliments most skin tones. It is hypoallergenic but can cause discoloration on some due to the copper and silver content.

Sterling Silver, not recommended for engagement or wedding bands.
Composition-
Silver 92.5%
Copper 7.5%

"The metal of the moon" - A beautiful milky white precious metal. Sterling silver is often alloyed with copper for added strength. It is the most ubiquitous metal used for jewelry, offering a much lower price point than gold and platinum. Sterling silver is prone to tarnish and turn black, which will polish away to reveal the lustrous white metal, and for many 925 collectors is part of the allure. It is hypoallergenic, as copper and silver are pure metals, and though it is rare, it may turn your finger green due to the copper content. It is not typically a metal used for engagement or wedding bands as it scratches easily, tarnishes, bends and warps with daily wear. 

We can cast our collection in the following gold options - Rose, peach, yellow, green, white gold. These alloy options are made using different parts copper, silver, zinc. Beware that white gold often contains nickel, a very common allergen. We use palladium in place of nickel when casting 18k white gold. Expect to pay more for palladium white gold than standard white gold made with nickel.