If you're planning to purchase a silver engagement ring for your fiance, you'll need to keep several things in mind. Freshly polished silver will quickly tarnish and oxidize. Additionally, it will react with skin's acids and cause a dark stain. You'll also have to watch out for household chemicals that might react with silver. Even worse, some people can develop allergic reactions to silver, which is another reason to avoid wearing a silver ring.

925 sterling silver

You should be careful when buying sterling silver engagement rings. The silver itself is not that strong and is prone to scratches and dents. However, you can find sterling silver rings plated with palladium for an extra sparkle. If you're unsure whether a ring is genuine sterling silver, read reviews on the product and look for a hallmark stamp. The purity of silver also makes it easy to bend, so keep that in mind when shopping for an engagement ring.

Platinum

The most popular metal used for jewelry settings is platinum. In the art deco period and the Edwardian era, platinum was a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. Intricate engagement rings emerged during this period and were revived in the 1970s. Several Hollywood stars have graced their fingers with platinum rings, including Elizabeth Taylor and Barbra Streisand. Jennifer Hudson is among the most popular platinum wearers today.

Rhodium plating

If you love the look of your silver engagement ring but don't want to spend too much money, you might want to consider rhodium plating. This process is known to last for several months, but it is not permanent. With additional immersions, rhodium plating will fade and start to show signs of wear. Additionally, rhodium plating is costly to maintain, and it can also cost more than you think.

Cobalt

Silver engagement rings made of cobalt can be used as both wedding bands and fashion rings. This is because cobalt is extremely durable. It does not crack or break, unlike gold and tungsten. Cobalt also possesses the same malleability as white gold, so it is possible to make intricate designs without fear of damage. Furthermore, cobalt is not too heavy, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear.

Yellow gold

Pure gold is the most expensive and least durable of all metals. For jewelry, gold is combined with other metals to make it more durable. Different metal alloys change the karatage, or the amount of pure gold in each measure, of the gold. You should choose a 14k or 18k gold ring for your engagement ring, as these have more alloys. The higher karat, the more gold is present, but the ring will be softer.

White gold 

While platinum and white gold are both beautiful metals, silver is often less expensive and more durable. If you are looking for a timeless classic look, white gold is the ideal choice. The metal's shiny mirror finish will go with any style of clothing or setting, while the metal's 950 parts per thousand purity will enhance the beauty of diamonds. When purchasing a silver ring, be sure to look for the hallmark "Pt950" on the band, which stands for 950 parts per thousand.

Rose gold

If your proposal is to be held in rose gold, you can choose a variety of gemstones to pair with it. While many prefer diamonds in the classic round shape, you can also choose other shapes such as ovals, marquises, or emeralds, which reflect light beautifully in the metal. However, you should keep in mind that rose gold can also enhance the beauty of other gemstones, such as pink sapphires, turquoise, and aquamarine. 

Palladium

Platinum and palladium are both precious metals that are used in jewelry. However, palladium is much rarer than platinum and it isn't commonly used for engagement rings. Because of its rarity, palladium rings are difficult to resize and refinish. This means that only a handful of jewellers are skilled in this metal. If you want an allergy-free ring, palladium is your best bet.