Gold

Gold is a yellow coloured metal, that in its pure form, is inert and virtually indestructible.  Due to its natural malleability, engagement rings manufactured from pure gold would easily get bent and distorted during the course of wear. Jewellers overcome this problem by alloying pure gold with other metals such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc. This results in a harder and more durable mixture, known as Karat gold. Typically the Karat gold used for engagement rings is 14K gold (58.33%  pure), 18K gold (75.00% pure) and 19K gold (79.17% pure). Depending on variations in the alloy mixtures, 14K gold and 18K gold are produced in both yellow and white, whereas 19K gold is produced in white only. The long term whiteness and durability of 19K gold is the closest to that of platinum, at less than half the cost. Its hardness resists scratching, and its white high polished finish lasts longer than that of platinum engagement rings.