Man Gold Wedding Ring ?

Q: Can I get help from this newsgroup regarding my wedding band? My fiance has given me the choice of either a 18K gold band or a 24K gold band, both by the manufacturer Christian Bauer. I can select a band with all else being identical. I'm concerned about the relative hardness and how each will wear over time. The sales woman at the store selling this line says the 24k band has been hardened by "compression" and is will wear comparable to the 18K band. I read a 1996 message in this newsgroup that some 24k gold bands are actually a alloy of 99% gold and titanium. I like the weight of the 24k band and, I suppose, the novelty of 24k. I like the thought that the ring has more actual gold in its construction. I don't want it if it will appear worn considerably sooner than the 18k. The price difference is $225. v. $840. from the local store. What is the thoughts of this newsgroup?

A:The design has some impact on how well it will wear. Personally, I would go with 14K in a ring you will be wearing all day every day. ring wear is a function of what you do and for how long. If you dont fix your car, dont do gardening dont do diy etc, then most soft metals like 24ct gold will be ok. Ive worked a lot of 24ct gold and can say avoid it if you can. the price difference you quote is not worth it. 18ct is much harder on account of the alloys used. Suggest you try finding a working goldsmith who would make up by hand your wedding band your dealing with the man who made it , a lot more personal for such a special item.. Most high st store wedding bands are mass produced from gold strip blanked into washers and upset in a ring maker. Ive seen

them working in our jewellery quarter in Birmingham. I was about to say wholeheartedly "go for the 24k gold", then I saw the price differential. Wow. Still, it is a once in a lifetime purchase. From my experience, the 18k will keep its shape much better than the 24k. I don't know about commercially fabricated 24k (?) rings with unknown metals alloyed in them, but I have experience with true 24k. I made bands for my wife and myself by forging rectangular wire out of a .999 fine gold coin, fusing it closed and stretching it to size. I can tell you that fine gold does work harden considerably, but even at its hardest it is much less scratch resistant than 18k.