Choosing Your Metal
The metal frames your diamond. It affects the look, the feel, the durability, and the price. Every Raul Diamond setting is crafted to The Raul Standard — nickel-free, hallmarked, and built to last a lifetime. Here is how to choose.
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
All settings are nickel-free, hypoallergenic, and hallmarked to stated karat weight
14K vs 18K — What Does Karat Mean?
Karat measures the purity of gold in the alloy. Pure gold (24K) is too soft for jewellery. It is alloyed with other metals — copper, silver, zinc, palladium — to create a metal that is both beautiful and durable.
14 Karat Gold
58.3% Pure Gold
The most popular karat for engagement rings in the USA. Highly durable, excellent value, and resistant to everyday wear. The slight reduction in pure gold content makes it harder and more scratch-resistant than 18K.
18 Karat Gold
75% Pure Gold
Higher purity means a richer, more vivid colour — particularly in yellow gold. The elevated gold content gives 18K jewellery a more prestigious feel and deeper lustre. Slightly softer than 14K, but the difference in everyday durability is minimal.
Choose 14K if —
Everyday durability and outstanding value are your priority. The world's most popular engagement ring metal for good reason.
Choose 18K if —
Richer colour, higher prestige, and heirloom quality matter most. The choice for pieces built to be passed down.
Metal Guide
All Six Metals — Explored
The most popular engagement ring metal in the world. Rich, warm yellow tone that complements every skin shade and every diamond colour. 58.3% pure gold — highly durable and ideal for daily wear. The go-to choice for couples who want a classic, enduring look that ages beautifully.
Sleek, bright, and universally flattering. Rhodium-plated to enhance brilliance and scratch resistance — giving it a crisp, mirror-like finish. The most popular choice for engagement rings — its neutral colour keeps the focus on your diamond. Requires rhodium re-plating every 1–2 years.
The most distinctly modern of all three tones. Its warm blush colour — created by a higher copper content in the alloy — is romantic, feminine, and uniquely beautiful. The copper alloy makes rose gold the most durable of the three gold colours. Does not require rhodium plating.
Deeper, richer, and more vivid than 14K. With 75% pure gold, 18K yellow gold carries an unmistakable warmth and radiance. The choice of heirloom pieces — jewellery designed to be passed down through generations. Its slight softness is offset by the unmatched richness of colour.
The purest white gold available. Higher gold content gives 18K white gold a distinctly more luminous, softer-toned finish compared to 14K — less stark, more refined. For those who want the finest white metal short of platinum, with a warmer, more natural look.
A softer, more nuanced rose tone than 14K — the higher gold content reduces the copper proportion, creating a warmer, more subtle blush. The most romantically refined of all rose gold options. Beautiful in natural light. An understated, luxurious choice.
At a Glance
Metal Comparison — Side by Side
| Metal | Purity | Durability | Colour | Rhodium | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14K Yellow Gold |
58.3% | Excellent | Warm yellow | No | Everyday wear, value |
14K White Gold |
58.3% | Excellent | Bright white | Yes · 1–2 yrs | Modern engagement rings |
14K Rose Gold |
58.3% | Excellent+ | Warm blush | No | Romantic, distinctive |
18K Yellow Gold |
75% | Very Good | Deep rich yellow | No | Heirloom, prestige |
18K White Gold |
75% | Very Good | Luminous white | Yes · 1–2 yrs | Refined, elevated |
18K Rose Gold |
75% | Very Good | Soft blush | No | Luxurious, subtle |
All Raul Diamond settings are nickel-free and hypoallergenic. Every piece is hallmarked to its stated karat weight.
Metal Questions
Higher purity — yes. Better for all purposes — not necessarily. 14K is harder, more durable, and better for everyday wear. 18K offers richer colour and higher prestige. Both are excellent choices — the right one depends on your priorities.
White gold is naturally a pale greyish-yellow — its bright white appearance comes from rhodium plating. Over time (typically 1–2 years), the plating wears away and the natural gold tone shows through. Re-plating is inexpensive and restores the original finish.
Rose gold contains copper, which can cause reactions in people with copper sensitivity — though this is rare. All Raul Diamond settings are nickel-free. If you have sensitivities, consider platinum or 18K yellow gold.
All metals suit lab-grown diamonds equally well — the choice is personal. White gold and platinum enhance colorless (D–F) diamonds. Yellow and rose gold complement near-colorless (G–J) stones beautifully.