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There are many different metals to consider when designing or shopping for your special piece of jewelry.  Whether color, durability, sourcing, or cost is most important to you, we’ve put together a little guide to help you choose the best metal for you or the significant people in your life!  A note on lingo: Karat (abbreviated as k) indicates the purity of the gold. Pure gold without any other metals mixed in is 24 karat (k) gold. Pure 24k gold is way too soft to use in everyday jewelry so metalsmiths use gold alloys that combine pure gold with other metals! Not only does this increase durability, but it also affects the color of the metal. 14k gold means the alloy is 14/24 parts (or 58.33%) gold and 41.67% other metals. 18k gold means the alloy is 18/24 parts (75%) gold and 25% other metals. None of our jewelry is plated so you can expect your rings to look the same on your 50th anniversary as they did on your wedding day! White Metals There are several beautiful options when it comes to white metals! We design our jewelry to be worn every day for decades or more! For this reason, we do not make or recommend silver rings, which are likely to bend, scratch, and tarnish over time. If white or silver-toned jewelry is your jam, here are our favorite choices:  14k White Gold   $  14k white gold is 58.33% gold alloyed with copper, nickel, and zinc Most affordable of the white metals we use Brightest white color of all the metals because of its nickel content  14k white gold is harder than the other golds, which makes it more durable and scratch-resistant compared to yellow or rose gold, but it may also make delicate prongs more brittle Not the best choice for someone with nickel allergies or metal sensitivities  Certified Fairmined 14k white gold is available! 14k White Gold Classic Band - Matte Finish 18k White Gold 18k white gold is 75% gold alloyed with nickel, copper, and zinc Bright, warm white color  18k white gold is softer than the other white metals 18k gold is more valuable - and more expensive - than 14k gold Certified Fairmined 18k white gold is available! Palladium White Gold   $ $ 14k or 18k palladium white gold is an alloy of gold with palladium, silver, copper, and zinc Grayish-white gray color, with a warmer tone than platinum  This alloy is nickel-free, making it a great choice for someone with a nickel allergy!  Palladium white gold is a little pricier than standard white gold but less expensive than platinum! 14k Palladium White Gold Classic Band - Matte Finish Platinum   $ $ $ Platinum is the purest precious metal available, made of 90-95% pure platinum Cooler, lighter gray color Very strong and durable! Platinum is also a little heavier than gold Hypoallergenic - this is the best choice for people who are sensitive to other metals  Platinum is more expensive than 14k or 18k gold Platinum Flat Band - Matte Finish & Platinum Diamond Pavé Band - Polished Finish   The Textured Band in 14k White Gold and Platinum Yellow Metals We love the classic look of yellow gold!  When paired with diamonds or other white stones, the contrast of the warm tone gives the gemstone an extra sparkly pop! You have several options when it comes to yellow metals:   14k Yellow Gold   $ 14k yellow gold is 58.33% gold alloyed with copper, silver, and zinc  Bright golden color  Very strong and durable!  Nickel-free alloy is great for those with nickel sensitivities Most affordable yellow metal option Certified Fairmined 14k yellow gold is available! 14k Yellow Gold Classic Bands - Matte Finish 18k Yellow Gold   $ $  18k yellow gold is 75% gold alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc  Bright, vivid golden color; 18k has a deeper luster than 14k yellow gold 18k is softer than 14k gold, which makes it somewhat less durable; intricate details may soften or fade over time Nickel-free alloy may work for those with metal sensitivities 18k gold is more valuable - and more expensive - than 14k gold! Certified Fairmined 18k yellow gold is available! 18k Yellow Gold Classic Bands - Matte Finish 18k Royal Yellow Gold   $ $  18k royal yellow gold is 75% gold alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc  This alloy combination creates a yellow-green tint, giving the appearance of 22k yellow gold with the strength and price of 18k gold  Not yet available as Certified Fairmined gold Custom 18k Royal Yellow Gold Diamond Ring Other Metals to Consider W.R. Metalarts is able to source metals beyond platinum and white and yellow gold, including pure palladium and 14k peach or 14k green gold!  By far, the most common alternative to the more traditional metals is rose gold:  14k Rose Gold   $       14k rose gold is 58.33% gold alloyed with copper and a small amount of silver and zinc  Deep rose pink color; richer color than 18k rose gold because of the alloy’s copper content Strong and durable!  Nickel-free  Certified Fairmined 18k rose gold is available! 14k Rose Gold Flat Band - Matte Finish & 14k Rose Gold Classic Band - Polished Finish 18k Rose Gold   $ $       18k rose gold is 75% gold alloyed with copper and a small amount of silver and zinc  Pale pink color; lighter color than 14k rose gold because of its greater gold to copper ratio in the alloy Nickel-free Just as with the other colors of gold, 18k rose gold is a little softer than 14k rose gold Custom 18k Rose Gold Emerald Cut Peach Morganite Solitaire   Mokume Gane If you love the look of multiple metals together, Mokume Gane might be the perfect option for you! Mokume is a traditional Japanese metalworking technique that layers different types of metal together to create one-of-a-kind patterns. To learn more about Mokume, check out this blog post!  Bimetal Mokume  $ $ $ 14k Palladium White Gold, Sterling Silver Bimetal Mokume Gane 14k Rose Gold, Sterling Silver Bimetal Mokume Gane 18k Royal Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver Bimetal Mokume Gane Trimetal Mokume  $ $ $ 14k Rose Gold, 14k Palladium White Gold, Sterling Silver Trimetal Mokume Gane 18k Royal Yellow Gold, 14k Palladium White Gold, Sterling Silver Trimetal Mokume Gane Which metal is your favorite?  We hope this blog has helped you to decide which metals you’d like to use in your own project!  If you love more than one metal, we can get creative about incorporating multiple materials into one piece!  Custom Trimetal Twist Ring with 14k Rose, 14k White, and 14k Yellow Gold Customized Mokume Gane Raindrop Band with 14k Gold Rails If you’re still not sure, we would love to chat with you about what’s most important to you to help you choose the best materials for you! Get in touch with us to start designing the jewelry of your dreams by clicking the chat button on the button right corner of your screen!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Love stories are often filled with beautiful surprises, and Alida and Mercy's journey to their dream wedding rings is no exception. Alida and Mercy both knew that they wanted to make their rings with us here at W.R. Metalarts, but Mercy didn’t know that Alida would successfully pull off the surprise of a lifetime. This story is one where love meets art - and we are so happy to have been a part of it! Join us as we reflect on getting to know Alida and Mercy, learning about their perfect wedding ring vision, and making that dream come to life in a super fun way.  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   Getting to know Alida and Mercy   Alida and Mercy's love story began in the summer of 2021, when they instantly knew they had found their perfect match. From the very beginning, their connection was undeniable, and they soon realized they were meant to be together forever. After getting engaged on New Year's Day, with Mercy proposing using a Claddagh ring, the couple turned their attention to planning their wedding.  While exploring different wedding ring options, they discovered W.R.Metalarts and were drawn to our nature-inspired mokume gane rings. They also felt connected to our commitment to sustainability, knowing that they would feel great about wearing rings that were ethically made.  The planning stage Driven by her love for Mercy and a desire to surprise her, Alida filled out an inquiry form on our website on her own. Together with Alida, our team learned more about what style of rings would work best for the lovebirds. We chatted, asked questions, shared pictures, and reviewed which catalog pieces spoke most to Alida’s heart and intuition.  During the consultation process, Alida told us how important it was to incorporate sentimental elements into their wedding rings. She knew she wanted to use her grandfather's gold wedding band, and a treasured silver earring and necklace set with small diamonds from her grandmother. Alida's idea of repurposing these heirlooms resonated deeply with her, as a way of infusing their rings with the cherished memories of her family. In addition to incorporating family jewelry, Alida knew that Mercy’s perfect wedding ring would need to take into account her active lifestyle. We were happy to design a durable ring for Mercy that would hold up during her kitchen and garden work - without sacrificing the sparkle, of course.  The big reveal Alida’s vision culminated in a tri-metal mokume gane combination of rose gold, yellow gold, and silver, with her grandfather's yellow gold serving as the liner. She chose a solitary stone for Mercy, using a vintage diamond to add a timeless touch.  For her own ring, Alida opted for a simple, textured band made from her heirloom gold. With this ring, she will always carry a piece of her family history with her while she continues on in her own love story Once the rings were ready to go, Alida invited Mercy to join her for an initial “design consultation” here at W.R. Metalarts. Little did Mercy know, her rings were already waiting for her. A total surprise for Mercy!   A memorable experience for everyone  It truly brings us joy to help create surprises and special moments that celebrate love and jewelry. We are so happy to have been a part of Alida and Mercy’s journey, and we think the rings turned out perfectly. Luckily Alida and Mercy agreed, saying, “the finished products are GORGEOUS and even better than we could have imagined!” Everyone deserves the perfect ring to celebrate their unique partnership. To start your journey with us, just follow Alida’s footsteps and fill out our inquiry form. We will get back to you quickly and start working together to make your vision a reality!    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!