Men’s Gold Wedding Rings NZ: Yellow, White and Rose Gold

Why choose a gold wedding ring?

Gold has been the wedding ring metal for centuries, and it still feels right. It is warm, it keeps its value, and it looks good on every hand. The gold article on Wikipedia covers why it has been prized for so long. A gold ring is also one you can polish and pass on, which makes it a lasting choice.

For New Zealand grooms, gold suits both formal and relaxed weddings. A plain yellow gold band looks classic with a suit, and a brushed or hammered finish looks at home on a beach, in a vineyard or at a backyard celebration. Two-tone and rose gold bands add character without being flashy.

If you are comparing gold with other metals, see our guides to the top 5 metals for men’s wedding bands and the men’s ring materials guide.

What are the gold colours?

Gold is a soft yellow metal on its own, and jewellers change its colour by mixing it with other metals. That gives three main colours.

• Yellow gold is the traditional colour, rich and warm. Browse yellow gold men’s rings.
• White gold is cool and silvery with a bright finish. See the white gold wedding rings guide and the white gold range.
• Rose gold has a soft pink-copper warmth. The rose gold article on Wikipedia explains how it is made, and you can browse rose gold men’s rings.

Many men choose a combination, such as yellow and white gold in one ring. That gives you a modern, two-tone look that goes with both silver and gold watches.

What do 9ct, 14ct and 18ct mean?

The carat number is the amount of pure gold in the ring, out of 24 parts. The carat purity article on Wikipedia sets out the scale. Men’s Rings Online offers gold rings in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct.

• 9ct is 37.5 per cent gold. It is the hardest of the three, and a great everyday choice for men who use their hands.
• 14ct is 58.3 per cent gold. It balances strength and richness, and is a popular middle option.
• 18ct is 75 per cent gold. It has the deepest colour and the highest gold content, and it is the choice for a ring with real heirloom feel.

There is no wrong choice. A higher carat has a richer colour and more gold, and a lower carat is harder. Many grooms choose 9ct for a working ring and 18ct for a ring they will wear on special occasions.

Which gold suits which man?

This table is a quick way to match gold to your style and lifestyle.

Which finish should you pick?

Finish changes the personality of the ring. A polished finish is bright and formal. A brushed finish is soft and understated, and it blends in with everyday wear. A hammered finish has a textured, handmade look, and it suits men who like something distinctive. Many rings combine finishes, such as a brushed centre with polished edges.

If you are unsure, brushed with polished edges is the safest choice, because it looks smart at a wedding and relaxed the rest of the time. Our guide on how to pick a men’s ring finish compares them in more detail, and ring profile shapes explained covers the cross-section.

How wide should it be?

Most men choose between 6mm and 8mm. A 6mm band looks refined and suits smaller hands, 7mm is a popular all-rounder and 8mm looks bold on larger hands. Gold looks richer in a wider band, because there is more of the metal to see. If your fingers are broad, our guide to the best men’s rings for large hands has advice, and how to choose the right width walks through the options.

What about mixed gold rings?

Mixed gold rings combine two or three colours in one band, such as yellow and white or rose and white. They are a great choice if you want the warmth of gold without committing to a single colour, and they suit men who wear a mix of metals. Our article on two-tone wedding rings for men explains how the combinations work, and the gold range has many examples.

It also helps to think about the occasions the ring will see. A wedding day, a work week and a holiday on the coast all treat a ring differently. Choose the gold that looks right across all three, and you will wear it more often. A mid-tone yellow or a soft rose gold is forgiving in every light, and a brushed surface keeps it looking fresh through everyday wear.

Will gold suit your skin tone?

Gold looks good on almost every skin tone. Yellow and rose gold tend to flatter warm and olive skin, and white gold flatters cooler skin. The best test is to try a few, and if you cannot do that, pick the colour that matches the jewellery and watch you already wear. A ring that matches your watch always looks deliberate.

How do you match gold to your watch and jewellery?

The simplest approach is to match the colour of your ring to the colour of your watch. A yellow gold ring looks natural beside a gold or two-tone watch, and a white gold ring pairs with steel or platinum-toned watches. If you wear a leather strap, any gold colour works, because the leather neutralises the contrast.

If you like to mix metals, keep to a single accent. A gold ring with a steel watch looks confident and relaxed, and a rose gold ring with a black strap is a modern combination. Cufflinks, belt buckles and tie bars follow the same rule: pick one metal as the lead and let the others support it. That keeps the whole outfit looking deliberate, and it makes the ring look like it belongs.

Can you wear gold every day?

Yes. Gold does not rust or tarnish, and it is a classic everyday ring. Choose 9ct if you work with your hands, and take the ring off for heavy manual tasks. A regular clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush keeps it bright, and a jeweller can polish out light surface marks whenever you like.

For wearing a ring in New Zealand conditions, such as beach, surf and cold water, our guide to wearing your ring in the pool or ocean and the article on wedding ring care for New Zealand weather and lifestyle are helpful reads.

How do you get the size right?

Size carefully before you order. Use the ring size chart and sizer and read our men’s ring size guide for New Zealand. Measure late in the day, when fingers are warmest, and remember that a wider band fits a little tighter than a narrow one.

Gold rings are made to order, so allow time before the wedding. Our wedding ring shopping timeline shows how far in advance to buy. And if you are thinking about cost, see how much a men’s wedding ring should cost in New Zealand.

FAQ

References & Sources

1. Gold — Wikipedia
2. Rose gold — Wikipedia
3. Carat (purity) — Wikipedia
4. White gold — Wikipedia