18k White Gold Classic Trellis Engagement Ring Setting

This setting is made of 18 karat white gold, which is a beautiful and flattering precious metal for diamond jewelry. This luxurious metal has a wonderful white color and luster that complements the clear brilliance of diamonds. 18k gold is 75% pure 24 karat gold, with the remaining percentage usually being alloy metals of silver, copper, nickel and palladium. The alloys add strength to the pure gold, which would be too soft for everyday wear on its own. 18k white gold is not as white as platinum, as it is yellow gold turned white mostly through nickel or palladium alloys. Some people prefer this warmer white over platinum's grayer white. White gold is often plated with rhodium, a metal in the platinum group, to enhance its white color. 18k has a lustrous white color, and a slightly heavier weight than 14k. It can be a little more expensive than 14k, due to the higher percentage of pure gold, but will cost less than a similar setting in platinum. Its durability makes it well-suited for a diamond ring that will be worn everyday. As a precious metal, 18k will naturally patina, or scratch lightly on the surface, but the original bright polished luster can be maintained through an occasional cleaning and polishing.