More Lost Time

Gold Wedding Bands: Three Essential Facts

Three Things You Should Know About Gold Wedding Bands
When it comes to buying a gold wedding band, things can get confusing fast.  What color gold do you want?  What karat will suit your lifestyle?  

Gold is the most popular choice for wedding bands, and very popular in dress rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches.  Gold is easy to accessorize with, and it is durable.  There are three things to consider when looking at gold wedding rings.  

First, you should look at the karat number.  A karat measures the proportion of pure gold mixed with other metal alloy to make up the final metal. There are several karats available for gold, but most men’s wedding bands employ 9-karat, 14-karat and 18-karat.  Since an 18-karat ring has a higher proportion of gold than a 14-karat, the 18- karat will be more expensive.  Although there are higher karats than an 18-karat ring, it is generally agreed that 22-karat and 24-karat gold is too soft to make men’s wedding rings.

Karat stamps do not indicate the durability and hardness of gold, however.  When choosing your wedding band, it is important to consider your own lifestyle.  How often will you wear the ring?  Do you work with your hands?  Could your ring be easily scratched or bent?  

Metal hardness is measured by what is called the Vickers scale.  The higher the Vickers score, the harder the metal.  A 9-karat ring has a Vickers score of 120 and an 18-karat has a score of 125.  The difference is so slight that 9-karat and 18-karat rings are much the same in terms of hardness.     

Next, you should consider the color of the gold.  Gold comes in several colors:  yellow, white, rose, bronze, and lime.  Wedding bands can also be made using two or three different tones of gold, creating a unique color.  

Adding an alloy to the gold creates different colors.  For example, rose gold is made using a mix of pure gold with alloys including copper.  The copper provides the reddish color.  Yellow gold forms from a mixture of pure gold and alloy metals such as copper and zinc, while white gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals (silver and palladium.)

Natural white gold has a gray tinge to it, which is covered up by adding a plating of rhodium.  The rhodium also serves to make the jewelry harder, but it does wear off after about 12 to 18 months.  You can get your jewelry re-rhodium plated at your local jeweler.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a wedding band, but ultimately you should be certain that the ring you choose is right for you and your lifestyle.  After all, the ring is a symbol of your love and marriage, so it should suit you perfectly.

Amanda Trevino is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing-More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. To find more information about wedding bands, please visit International Jewelers.

About the Author

Find tips about iguana habitat, iguana terrarium and other information at the Interesting Animals website.

NEW!!! Kylie Minogue – All The Lovers WORLD PREMIERE – Live Arena di Verona Wind Music Awards.

1 Pear Cut Red Ruby Gold Tone Pendant Necklace Lady Fashion Jewelry For Dress $3.98

Invicta 8927 Pro Diver 21-Jewel Automatic Gold Plated SS Men’s 200M Watch $123.51

Invicta Mens Reserve Excursion Swiss Made Chronograph 18K Gold Plated Watch 0206 $345.45

Invicta Womens Invicta II Chronograph DIAMOND Pearl Dial 18K gold plated – New $144.75

Gorgeous Dress Ring Peridot & Gold Plated Silver Size-7 may be won @ Half Price $29.52

Invicta 8927 Pro Diver 21-Jewel Automatic Gold Plated SS Men’s 200M Watch $119.99

Ladies Bucherer l8 kt. Gold Plated Quartz Watch $250.00

Men’s Elgin Black IP/Gold-Plated Diamond Watch w/Date $29.95

Gold & White Leaf Earrings 3 1/4″ Casual Dress Bridesmaid Jewelry New & Boxed $21.00

Fashion Jewelry Round Cut Purple Amethyst Pendant Necklace Jewellery For Dress $4.98

1990s WALTHAM SIMULATED DIAMOND BEZEL WOMENS GOLD PLATED DATE QUARTZ WATCH $59.99

1990s WITTNAUER PEGASUS WOMENS GOLD PLATED QUARTZ WATCH ~ NEW BATTERY & STRAP ~ $59.99

1990 CITIZEN 4031-S11294 GOLD PLATED MENS WATCH NEW BATTERY $69.99

SALE! Jewelry Blue Aquamarine White Gold GP Pendant Necklace Chain For Dress $4.98

Fashion Jewelry Blue Sapphire Silver Tone Pendant Necklace Neck Gift For Dress $4.11

Elgin Men’s Gold-Plated Watch with Austrian Crystals $29.95

Aggustino Stainless Steel/Gold Plated With Date Watch For Men New $24.47

Elgin Men’s FG342 Gold-Plated Watch with Crystals Bezel $39.99

Women’s Elgin EG1504 Gold-Plated Watch with Crystals $19.99

Women’s Elgin EG386 Women’s Gold-Plated Dress Watch $19.99

VINTAGE SEIKO SQUARE WHITE DIAL ROMAN NUMERALS GOLD PLATED WATCH – MEN 7 1/4 IN $55.80

Gold Drop Earrings 1 3/4″ Long Casual to Dress Bridesmaid Jewelry New & Boxed $10.00

Fashion Jewelry Tanzanite Heart Cut White Gold Tone Pendant Necklaces For Dress $4.98

WOMEN’S ELGIN GOLD-PLATED SLIM DRESS WATCH $14.99

Elgin FM486 Women’s Gold-Plated Dress Watch in Gift Box $34.99

Fashion Jewelry Tanzanite Round Cut White Gold Tone Pendant Gift Gift For Dress $3.98

Elgin Men’s Gold-Plated Watch with Two-Button Push Release Buckle FG348 $34.95

WEDDING JEWELRY Blue Sapphire 18K White Gold Plated Oval Cut Necklace For Dress $9.98

Xmas Gift Pink Amethyst 18K White Gold Plated Oval Cut Necklace For Dress $11.98

Xmas Gift Ruby 18K White Gold Plated Emerald Cut Necklace For Dress $11.98

Man’s Goldtone Bracelet Watch $400.00 Genuine diamonds, rich 23K gold and an automatic movement – just like the world’s most expensive watches! You could pay hundreds to get the look and features of this high-end Croton watch – get yours for under $80! You’ve admired watches like this in fine jewelry stores and on the wrists of the world’s most successful people. Now you can enjoy the same style for much less! This mens watch has a cl…

Kenneth Cole New York Women’s KC4745 Petite Chic Classic Square Case Watch $57.50 Gold tone stainless steel case includes a polished link bracelet. The convenient push button deployment clasp brings the band together. Classic white dial has complimentary gold tone hands and hour markers. The precise Quartz movement is protected by a scratch resistant mineral crystal. Water resistant….

Gold Clear Crystal & Rhinestone Bridal Tiara $82.50 This is a magnificent piece for any elegant style wedding dress. This tiara is gold plated and has a floral pattern of swarovski crystals and clear rhinestones. The ornamented portion of this piece measures 8-3/4″ wide and 1-1/2″ tall at its highest peak, and the piece ends with two loops that allow you to fasten it in your hair with bobby pins….

Gold Bridal Tiara Wedding Headband with Bouquet Pearl 744G $99.95 This gold and champagne tiara is absolutely exquisite! This tiara features a stunning display of champagne porcelain flowers, freshwater pearls, sparkling rhinestones, and gold plated swirl details. The ornamented portion of this tiara measures 8 3/4 of an inch long and 1 1/2 inches tall. Pin loops are located at each end to easily secure the tiara in your hair with bobby pins. This tiara coordina…

Gold Champagne Bridal Tiara $71.25 Classic and elegant, this gold plated tiara features a bridal bouquet of rum pink porcelain flowers, freshwater pearls, golden flower details, rhinestones, and a spray of clear Swarovski crystals. A beautiful accessory to your ivory or white wedding dress, the ornamented portion of the piece measures 8-3/4″ wide and 1″ tall, and the piece ends with two loops that allow you to fasten it in your hai…

WeSC Pase Rock Bongo Headphones $58.50 Limited edition WeSC x Pase Rock collaboration Bongo. Fun facts about Pase Rock (and blatant lies too) -Pase Rock is the fullest and most complete realization of artist that God has yet created. -Pase Rock has been DJing since the age of nine, rocking recess with the freshest Schoolhouse Rock beats. -Pase Rock was conceived during and episode of The Love Boat (just as Isaac asked a bar patron,…

WeSC Bongo Headphone (White) $66.00 Unisex Premium HeadphonesType: 40mm power drivers1kHz sensitivity: 120 dBImpedance: 32 OhmsFequence range: 20-20 001 HzPlug: gold-plated 3,5mm stereoCord: 0,5m + 1,0m extension + 0,1m adaptor, PVC cordHandsfreeWeight: 147g…

WeSC Pick-Up Headphone (Black) $35.00 Lift the WeSC Pick Up Headphones to your lobes and let the supple ear cups cradle your hearin-plates in noise-canceling comfort. With 30mm power drivers to blast your gnarliest agro and thump your grittiest Lil Wayne, these phones ensure that no music goes unappreciated. Plug in the extra long cord when you’re practicing your air guitar routine or pretending you’re way harder than you actually are…

Mother of Pearl and 14kt Gold-Plated Cufflinks and Studs by Cuff-Daddy $44.99 Here’s an elegant formal set you can wear for a lifetime. Rich mother of pearl is cut to size and dropped into a 14kt gold setting. Gold is perfect for formal wear because they never tarnish. Moderately priced for wedding parties so all of the gentlemen look their best. This set features “mushroom backs” for the cufflinks making them almost indestructible. Formal set arrives in red leatherette box…

Mother of Pearl and 14kt Gold-Plated Cufflinks and Studs Formal Set by Cuff-Daddy $39.99 Here’s a classic set of cufflinks and studs you can wear for a lifetime. Rich natural mother of pearl is cut to size and dropped into a triple concentric ring 14kt gold-plated setting. Perfectly priced for wedding parties so all of the gentlemen look their best. Formal set arrives in rigid felt-lined box suitable for gifting. Covered by Cuff-Daddy’s product guarantee…

Aeliptika – Gold Plated Bracelet Dress Watch $322 Just Cavalli’s Aeliptika gold-plated stainless steel dress watch exudes total glamour with elongated oval dial featuring subtle logo accented by two crystal-studded snake heads. Signature case included. Made in Italy.

Gold Plated Empress Necklace $300 With a look that’s fit for an Egyptian princess the gold plated empressnecklace is designed to draw in attention. Pairthis with a simple little black dress and prepare to make quite theimpression. The necklace fastens with a hook and eye closure.

L’Elu – Ladies’ Diamond Gold Plated Dress Watch $1848 In addition to an elegant rose-gold plated case and black spinel on the lugs and crown, this beautiful watch offers sapphire glass and a crocodile leather strap. Ten diamonds on the bezel total 0.024 ct. Signature box included. ETA 956.102 movement. Swiss made.

Spike – Gold Plated Dress Bracelet Watch $698 Roberto Cavalli’s appropriately named Spike bracelet watch combines curved, gold-plated stainless steel bands and a logoed triangular mirrored face for a bold timepiece that easily doubles as a bangle bracelet. Signature case included. Made in Italy.

Venom – Ladies’ White Gold Plated Dress Watch $579 Roberto Cavalli’s super chic “Venom” watch highlights a gold-plated square case featuring a lateral signature, clean lines and pristine white face with gold number notches on a sleek, white crocodile skin band for an urban cool vibe. Signature case and international warranty for two years included. Swiss Made, Italian design.

Emerald Green Croco Stamped Gold Plated Dress Watch $749 Raymond Weil’s classic dress watch gets a dash of color with a fabulous emerald green croc-embossed leather band and retro round face in 18K gold-plated stainless steel. The beaded gold rim and black Roman numerals evoke an old 40s glamour quality. Gift box included, Made in Italy.

Knot Gold Plated Cuff Links $74 Forzieri’s gold-plated cuff links offer a debonair look to any dress shirt with twisting gold knots evoking classic, Old World glamour. Gift box included, Made in Italy.

Automatic Gold Plated Dress Watch $480 Secret 50% OFF Special, not accessible from our public site. Use code: PLATINUMCODE. Limited time only. Superior elegance and precision come together to create a look that will complement any style. An automatic mecchanical movement and chronograph date and 24-hour displays add class and sophistication. Signature box included. Italian design.

Geoffrey Beene Silver Plated Dress Set (RPL) $58 Two-tone dress set is available in Silver/Gold plate and features an oval faux stone accent in Black.

Texas Longhorns Gold Plated Men’s Elite Dress Watch with Leather Strap $110 This men’s rectangular dress watch is water resistant and comes with a gold plated stainless steel case and stainless steel back. The watch has a gold tone dial with polished raised hour marks and padded leather strap with stainless steel buckle. Contains Miyota™ quartz movement. Limited lifetime warranty on watch and battery.Team the watch up with a matching money clip. Browse all of our NCAA watches too! Other jewelry items are also available for the Texas Longhorns.

Texas Longhorns Gold Plated Women’s Elite Dress Watch with Leather Strap $110 This women’s rectangular dress watch is water resistant and comes with a gold plated stainless steel case and stainless steel back. The watch has a gold tone dial with polished raised hour marks and padded leather strap with stainless steel buckle. Contains Miyota™ quartz movement. Limited lifetime warranty on watch and battery.Team the watch up with a matching money clip. Browse all of our NCAA watches too! Other jewelry items are also available for the Texas Longhorns.

18k Gold Plated Long Necklace $150 This 18k gold plated long necklace surely stands out. It features five double set circular designs each with indented carvings that add texture to their shape. Wear this extra long necklace with an equally stunning dress for a romantic night on the town.\

Seiko SGF206 Men’s Dress Yellow Gold Plated Stainless Steel Watch $213.75 Seiko Watch: Seiko SGF206 Men’s watch features a polished finish gold plated stainless steel case with push and pull crown. This great watch also comes with high quality Japanese quartz movement highly scratch resistant hardlex crystal water resistant up to 30 meters polished finish gold plated stainless steel bracelet with fold over clasp and gold tone champagne dial with day-date display black luminous hands and hour markers.

Seiko SWZ058 Women’s Dress Yellow Gold Plated Quartz Watch $213.75 Seiko Watch: Seiko SWZ058 Women’s watch features a polished finish gold plated stainless steel case with push and pull crown. This beautiful watch also comes with high quality Japanese quartz movement highly scratch resistant hardlex crystal water resistant up to 30 meters polished finish gold plated stainless steel bracelet with fold over clasp and champagne dial with day-date display gold tone hands and hour markers.

Coco – Gold Plated Croco-style Bracelet Dress Watch $489 A bold accessory of modern design, this gold plated stainless steel watch features a crocodile dial and embossed links for a chic touch of savage style. Signature box included. Made in Italy.

Pulsar Men’s Gold Plated Railroad Approved Dress Watch PJ6046 $81 Pulsar Watch: Pulsar PJ6046 Men’s watch features a brushed finish gold plated stainless steel case with screw down case back. This great watch also comes with high quality Japanese quartz movement highly scratch resistant hardlex crystal water resistant up to 100 meters brushed finish gold plated stainless steel bracelet with deployment clasp and white dial with day-date display 24 hour dial luminous hands hour markers and black Arabic numerals.

Masonic Shirt Studs – Gold Plated Blue Lodge Dress Shirt Studs set of 4 $108 Masonic Shirt Studs – Gold Plated Blue Lodge Dress Shirt Studs set of 4 is available from jewelbasket.com for only $77.00. Buy now and save. Jewelbasket offers the best value on Engraved Jewelry, jewelry and gifts.

Eva Snake – Logo Gold-Plated Bracelet Dress Watch $480 The incredibly luxe Eva Snake watch by Roberto Cavalli adds a seductively dressy feel with its scaly, gold-plated stainless steel band complemented by baroque-style initials adorning a pristine white face. Signature case included. Made in Italy.

gorjana Snake Gold-Plated Textured Stud Earrings $70 Feeling dangerous? Slip the gorjana “Snake” Gold-Plated Textured Stud Earrings on for a hint of venomous style. Each post with a friction back holds a gold-plated disc engraved with a snakeskin print. The shiny polished gold texture catches the light for a standout look. Pair these stud earrings with a slinky dress, sky-high heels, and piles of gold bangles for a sexy night out.

Gold Plated Gigarette Holder $3.99 Gold Plated Gigarette Holder

gorjana Zebra Gold-Plated Skinny Cuff Bracelet $130 Feeling wild? Slip the gorjana “Zebra” Gold-Plated Skinny Cuff Bracelet on for a hint of fierce style. The gold-plated base is decorated with an engraved zebra print and a shiny polished texture that catches the light for a standout look. Measuring 2.25 inches with a wide opening, this cuff is simple to slip on and off. Pair this bracelet with a slinky dress, sky-high heels, and gold hoop earrings for a sexy night out.

CHRISHABANA Affair Pearl Gold-Plated Brass Necklace $232.54 Take your collection of statement bib necklaces to the next level with the “Affair Pearl” Gold-Plated Brass Necklace by CHRISHABANA. Romantic and gothic-glam influences create the unique design of the necklace. Layers of lustrous pearls, geometric shapes and gold chains form this cocker-length necklace. The different strands are connected on the ends by a gold-plated bar to allow the necklace to fasten with one single chain. An eye-catching finish to a simple silk blouse or solid cocktail dress.

Four-Leaf Clover Gold Plated Cuff Links $105 For extra luck, try sprucing up your dress shirt with AZ Collection’s gold-plated cuff links featuring stylish four-leaf clovers with cutout detail and two-tone polished finish. Signature box included. Made in Italy.

Swarovski Crystal Heloise Gold Plated Pendant 1023993 $60 This Swarovski pendant shines with with its brilliant crystal pave as it hangs off of a gold-plated figaro chain. It can dress up any look, for almost any occasion. 15″ chain / 1/4″ x 13/16″ pendant. Swarovski Crystal Heloise Pendant 1023992

Marcia Moran Gold Druzy Stone Circle 18k Gold-Plated Earrings $113 With bright shine and a classic silhouette, the Gold Druzy Stone Circle 18k Gold-Plated Earrings by Marcia Moran will make any outfit special. The simple circular post earrings are cast in 18k yellow gold-plated base metal and polished for a timeless finish. The circles are set with agate-based druzy stones, a type of stone that is covered with natural gold-toned crystals. Framed in gold-plated circular settings, the earrings are set on gold-plated post ear wires and measure .5 inch. Finished with friction backs for a secure, comfortable fit, these lightweight post earrings will go anywhere you do. Dress up a simple updo and cocktail dress with these glittering posts to achieve stunning movie-star elegance.