Multi-Tone Engagement Rings

Multi-tone ring with bezel setting.

While yellow gold is undoubtedly the most popular and most traditional metal for an engagement ring, today's brides-to-be have a wide variety of choices of different metals. Rather than choosing a single metal, in fact, an increasingly popular trend is to create customized multi-tone engagement rings using a combination of metals. Before choosing a multi-tone ring, however, couples should be aware of several important considerations, including cost, care, and availability.

Metals in Multi-Tone Engagement Rings

Different jewelers generally have a preference for one type of metal because of its quality, malleability, coloration, or other properties. The most prominent metals for engagement rings include:

Yellow Gold: The most traditional metal, yellow gold can be purchased in a variety of karat values. Lower karat rings are less expensive and generally look lighter or more washed-out, while higher-karat rings may be softer and more fragile. The most common karat values for engagement rings are 14-K and 18-K.
White Gold: White gold is a pleasant alternative to yellow gold, but often requires higher maintenance because the rhodium coating that gives it the distinctive white gleam can wear off over time. White gold rings come in a similar variety of karat values as yellow gold.
Silver: Silver is a more affordable alternative than white gold or platinum rings, but over time exposure to skin oils will cause the ring to develop a distinctive patina. Many wearers enjoy this aged look, similar to antique rings, but others abhor the necessity of polishing the jewelry periodically.
Platinum: One of the most expensive engagement ring metals, platinum is also one of the sturdiest. In fact, most engagement rings use a bit of platinum - often as the setting to properly secure the stone(s) in place. Unlike silver, platinum does not need periodic recoating or polishing to keep its brilliant appearance.
Titanium: A popular choice for contemporary rings, titanium is an incredibly durable metal and is particularly favored for men's engagement rings. Titanium can also be treated to appear in various stunning colors, including blues and purples, adding distinctive touches to any engagement ring.
Colored Golds: Much more rare than yellow or white gold, with proper preparation and appropriate alloy additions, gold can be smelted into a variety of pale colored shades, including a light pink (rose gold) or sage green (green gold).
Sterling Silver: A hypo-allergenic choice, sterling silver is an excellent and beautiful alternative for individuals with sensitive skin or metal allergies. Unlike pure metals, sterling silver will not typically cause allergic reactions, such as turning skin colors or excessive itching.

Styles of Multi-Tone Rings

Multi-tone embellished ring.

There are several distinctive styles of engagement rings that use multiple metals. The different metals may actually be woven together in intricate knots or braids, similar to Celtic engagement rings, or different metals may be used as accents in the ring's design. For example, yellow gold may be used to form arches, hearts, or even words in the setting of a platinum or white gold ring. Depending on the ring's width, different metals may be used as the edges or rims to accent the interior design of the ring. Mokume gane engagement rings are distinctive Asian designs patterned after samurai sword embellishments that use several different types of metals fused together to create intricate patterns within the ring itself.

Multi-tone rings may or may not have diamonds or other gemstones as accents or focal points for the jewelry. Typically, the rarer the metals (colored golds) or the more types that are used, the less likely it is that gemstones are incorporated into the design. The stark contrast of different colors of metal may detract from the beauty of the gem, while similar shades of one metal (different karat values of yellow gold, for example) may be used to enhance the stone.

Cost of a Multi-Metal Engagement Ring

Prices vary for multi-tone rings depending on the types of metals used, their karat values, the gemstone pairings and the intricacy of the design. Naturally, adding gemstones increases the price depending on the gem's quality. Without using any jewels, multi-tone engagement rings may be less expensive than more traditional rings. Platinum and titanium are the most expensive metals, while silver, sterling silver, and yellow gold are far more common and less expensive.

Caring for Your Engagement Ring

Caring for a multi-tone ring can be tricky depending on the metals used. Different metals require different types of cleaning solvents, and what works well with one metal may not be appropriate for another. Generally, jewelers use compatible metals in order to minimize cleaning confusion. Silver needs periodic polishing, and white gold has to have new rhodium coatings on occasion. All metals may eventually scratch, and many small blemishes can be easily buffed or polished away by a professional cleaning. If the ring needs to be repaired or resized, always provide the jeweler with documentation about the types of metals used, including their alloy proportions if available to ensure a good, indistinguishable repair.

Where to Find Multiple Metal Engagement Rings

Most jewelers carry a limited supply of dual-tone engagement rings using platinum and yellow gold, which is by far the most common pairing. More elite designer jewelers may have a greater variety and are more likely to use white gold, silver, or titanium in their designs. Mokume gane rings are by far the more difficult to locate, though there are several online designers that offer a range of styles using many different metals.

Multi-tone engagement rings are becoming more popular as couples look for individual, distinctive designs to symbolize their impending union. By choosing a ring with different varieties of gold, silver, platinum, titanium, or other metals, the engagement ring blends together different hues of brilliance in a simple, understated way or as exotic embellishments to a more elaborate ring, perfect for a woman with distinctive tastes and a flair for unusual designs.