Getting engaged is such an exciting time! But what happens when your dream ring isn’t exactly your dream metal? I recently went through this myself. I've always been a silver person, through and through. All my necklaces, bracelets, even my watch – silver, white gold, or platinum. So, when my partner proposed with a beautiful gold heirloom ring, I was overjoyed, but also a little…confused. How was I going to make this work with my existing jewelry collection?
The ring itself was gorgeous, no doubt. It had so much history and meaning. But the yellow gold just felt… different. I'd never worn gold before, and honestly, I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. I worried it would clash with everything else I owned. It felt like a first-world problem, I know, but it was a genuine concern for me.
I started thinking about ways to make the gold ring work for me. I decided to talk to my partner openly about my preferences, and that was a great first step. Here's what I learned and tried:
The most important thing was to talk to my partner. I explained how much I loved the ring and appreciated the family history behind it, but also shared my concerns about the gold. He was incredibly understanding and open to finding a solution together. I think this is crucial for any couple facing a similar situation.
I explored the option of modifying the ring. I found that if the top part of the ring is platinum, replacing the gold band with platinum or white gold is a relatively easy change. Any skilled jeweler should be able to do this. That way, I could have the silver tone I preferred while still honoring the family heirloom. This resonated with me, as it seemed like a great compromise. My partner and I even went to a local jeweler to get a quote.
Someone suggested getting the ring rhodium plated. Rhodium plating is a process where a thin layer of rhodium (a silvery-white metal) is applied to the gold. This would give the ring a silver-tone appearance. I looked into this but ultimately decided against it because rhodium plating wears off over time and needs to be reapplied. I wanted a more permanent solution.
Ultimately, I decided to try and embrace the gold. This meant strategically adding gold pieces to my jewelry collection to complement the ring. I started small, with a delicate gold necklace.
I found a beautiful Genuine 24k Yellow Gold Color Plated Necklace for Woman from Sumsfashion. The 45cm length was perfect for layering with my existing silver necklaces. What I liked most was that it wasn't too flashy, just a subtle touch of gold to tie everything together.
It’s important to find pieces that work for you. I really like my new necklace! The gold is a really nice color, it’s not too yellow, if you know what I mean. It’s just the right thing to make my engagement ring fit in. I found it on the Sumsfashion catalog.
I started experimenting with mixing metals. I learned that it's perfectly acceptable, and even stylish, to wear both gold and silver together. The key is to do it intentionally. For example, I might wear my gold engagement ring with a silver bracelet and gold earrings. Or, I might wear a mixed-metal necklace that incorporates both gold and silver elements. The homepage of many jewelry stores now showcase the intentional mixing of metals, so it is definitely on trend.