Yellow Gold Rings

For a ring worn every day, 585 fineness, or 14 carat, gold is one of the best choices. It contains 58.5% pure gold, so it offers an excellent balance of appearance, durability and price. Rings made from this gold are hard-wearing enough for everyday use and keep a rich gold colour.

375 fineness gold is harder and cheaper, but its colour is paler, and the higher proportion of other metals can irritate sensitive skin. 750 fineness, or 18 carat, gold has a richer colour and fewer impurities, but it is softer and scratches more easily. 999 fineness gold is generally unsuitable for rings, as it is very soft and can easily lose its shape.

The price of a yellow gold ring depends on its weight, design and the size, number and quality of any diamonds or other gemstones. In this collection, 585 fineness yellow gold rings start from around 419 Eur, while designs with larger or more numerous diamonds can cost more than 3 000 Eur. Simpler rings usually cost less, while rings with a distinctive design, fully diamond-set bands or rings with a large centre stone are more expensive.

A gold ring should be kept away from chlorine, bleach, ammonia and strong household cleaners, as these substances can damage the gold alloy and weaken the piece. It is best to take the ring off before swimming in a pool or using a hot tub. Creams, perfumes, hair care products and soap residue can also leave a film of build-up and dull the ring’s sparkle.

It is not recommended to wear the ring while exercising, lifting weights, gardening or doing physical work. Strong pressure can bend the band, while sand, soil and rough surfaces can scratch it. It is also worth removing the ring before swimming in the sea, as fingers shrink in cold water and the ring can easily slip off. For rings with diamonds or gemstones, it is especially important to avoid knocks that could damage the stone setting.

Soak the gold ring for 15–20 minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid. Then gently clean it with a very soft brush, paying particular attention to hard-to-reach areas and stone settings. Once cleaned, rinse the ring thoroughly in clean warm water, dry it with a soft microfibre cloth and polish it gently.

Gold should never be cleaned with toothpaste, bicarbonate of soda, bleach or abrasive products, as these can scratch the surface. Jewellery with pearls, opals, glued stones or other delicate inlays should not be soaked for long. For such pieces, it is safer to use a dedicated jewellery cleaning kit or to consult a jeweller.

Before selling a piece of gold jewellery, it is worth checking its fineness, weight and the current gold market price. The fineness is shown by a hallmark, for example 375, 585, 750 or 999. The value of the gold is calculated from the weight of the piece and the proportion of pure gold it contains, but the buying price is usually lower than the theoretical metal value because of testing, refining and other costs.

It is advisable to approach several reputable jewellers, precious metal buyers or pawnbrokers and compare at least three offers. The piece should be weighed in front of you, and the valuation should be clearly explained. If the ring has diamonds, comes with a certificate confirming its quality or has a valuable design, it is worth valuing it as a finished piece of jewellery rather than just as scrap gold. In that case, certificates, purchase documents and a professional valuation of the stones can help you get a better price.