Ring experts: What do you think is more durable? 14k or 18k?
I know that 14k is a harder metal blend. My fiance works retail as a manager and has her hands on hangers a lot. So for wear and tear reasons, should I go with buying a 14k ring or the softer 18k. This is for a wedding ring by the way. Have you had problems with 18k personally?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
7 Answers
My husband has a 22K gold wedding band (because he has allergies to the base metal they mix with the gold), and it is not banged up at all.
@marinelife Ahh now I’m scared, because my fiance is the type who’s allergic to everything! She excema (sp?), allergic to peanut butter, sensitive than others to pollen, how could we run a quick test to see if she can handle white gold?
@whitetigress Is she OK with metal belt buckles and watchbands? If so, then she is OK.
My band is 18K and it has a few dings, but it gets this nice dull patina I like. 14k is too hard for me, both physically and metaphorically, if that makes any sense.
If the 18k ring she wants is a sturdy thickness of band and doesn’t have a lot of surface decoration then it should wear fine. With her allergies, there is less chance of irritation from nickel in the alloy if you choose 18k, especially 18k yellow.
My ex husband and I used to design in 18–24kt and we never had an issues with 18k being too soft for daily wear.
I have two 24 K (pure gold) rings. People think that just because it’s pure gold, it’s not durable, but that’s not really true. I’ve worn one ring for years, and although I get nicks and small indentations in the metal, it is durable and heavy. A18 K gold ring can be very durable——sure you’ll get small nicks and scrapes, but after awhile, the surface acquires a nice “texture”. I find 14K rings durable and hard, but they lack that “solid heaviness” I like in a men’s ring, feeling rather light. But it’s extremely durable. Another good thing about 18K is that it is less reactive——sometimes 14K rings get a little discoloration if not worn for years. Also, if you’re allergic to certain metals like nickel and copper, 18K is better for you. You may react to the alloys in 14k.
Another thing, the lower karat gold, the more nickel in the alloy and nickel will pit if exposed to bleach. Many people hand bleach and have no idea it’s corrosive to their rings. 14k is just over 50% pure gold while 18k is 75% pure gold.
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
