is 18k uncommon?

[Niel]

I went to jareds today to get my fi sized so we could order a ring online. In general I was a terrible experience. We have a high wind advisory and its about 29 degrees out. He tried a ring on and it was a little loose. I told him wed probably. ave him try it on again in the summer to see how much his finger changes in the seasons. The woman didn't say anything to him about the size and made him try on a half size smaller. Not even mentioning quarter sizes or the change in finger sizes with temps or how a ring should fit on your finger.

But what really stuck out to me is when I asked to see yellow and rose gold plain domed rings so he could see the color on his skin ( he's a ginger I think it would look better than white metals) and the woman told me "in the us 18k is very uncommon In the US . We don't have any in the store." I made a comment that I didn't think that was true and her response was "well I HAVE worked in this business for 20 years"....
No she is right I haven't worked in the business that long. Or at all. But even if all I was familiar with was tiffanys and stuff, they sell 18k gold right? Am I just jaded by this site or was that woman a rude saleswoman?

 

[pandabee]

Sounds like a rude saleswoman. I would say 18k and 14k even are much more common than 20k.

 

[TC1987]

Saleswoman is correct. Out here in the flyovers of USA, 14k is all I'd expect to find stocked in a store, and 18k is either special order only or not available. Even if you look at American "vintage" gold jewelry back into the '30s or '40s, 14k is most common. I think that 18k is more of a European item. 14k and platinum, and even 10k gold for men's jewelry is what I've seen in mid-Atlantic and midwest USA.

 

[Niel]

See I had a feeling I might be jaded. But all the gold my family has is 18k too. And we arw by no means wealthy or people who get a lot of custom stuff

 

[ruby59]

Sasleswoman sounds rude. However, for men's jewelry I would say 10K or 14K is more common. Men tend to be very hard on their jewelry, and 18K might be a bit soft for them.

 

[yssie]

Sasleswoman sounds rude. However, for men's jewelry I would say 10K or 14K is more common. Men tend to be very hard on their jewelry, and 18K might be a bit soft for them.

Sorta OT but I just had to comment - my DH's ring has bits *gouged out of the sides*. Scratches, sure. Dents, okay. Nicks, they happen. But how on earth do you abuse a ring to the point of chomping out pieces of metal and keep your finger intact??

 

[Niel]

Sasleswoman sounds rude. However, for men's jewelry I would say 10K or 14K is more common. Men tend to be very hard on their jewelry, and 18K might be a bit soft for them.

I had told her I didn't want to have them order anything when I asked for rose gold and they had none so she probably thought wr were just waisting her time. But I don't know why she wouldn't say anything about the ring sizing- or why she had to say it the way she did. it was like a catty tween when i said " really? i feel like i see a lot of 18k around" All look at ritani, james allen, brian gavin, etc, they all have 18k. And in the case of bg more rings in 18k than 14k.

Yssie I have no idea how that happens. I'm worried about getting someyhing other than gold. He wants an alt metal but from what I've hears they dont dent they just break. Gold at least would bed with his actions. He wanta one of those hammered style ones so that'll help

 

[TC1987]

But how on earth do you abuse a ring to the point of chomping out pieces of metal and keep your finger intact??

Lifting heavy things. Pinching the ring between your finger and a hard surface like a metal tool or the edge of a car battery. For a woman, I have done some awesome destruction to the shanks of rings in the blink of an eye, back when I was hauling merchandise and equipment around all the time. I got the best durability w/o cracking with standard alloy 14k WG. I cracked the shank in 2 places on 18k WG. 10k YG held up pretty well. 14k YG was a goner early-on. I gouged, hammered, and divot-ed the heck out of 14k YG.

 

[Karl_K]

Saleswoman is correct. Out here in the flyovers of USA, 14k is all I'd expect to find stocked in a store, and 18k is either special order only or not available. Even if you look at American "vintage" gold jewelry back into the '30s or '40s, 14k is most common. I think that 18k is more of a European item. 14k and platinum, and even 10k gold for men's jewelry is what I've seen in mid-Atlantic and midwest USA.

yep about 90% 14k and 10% 18k here in the Midwest.
Go into Chicago area and 18k is more common, maybe 60/40 14/18.

 

[echomomm]

Most things in B&M stores have always been 14K, although they are carrying a lot more 10K now due to the prices of gold. However, I have never considered 10K acceptable for jewelry for myself because my skin chemistry (or the alloys used) usually cause it to discolour. I far prefer 18K, and I generally special order or order jewelry online to get it. For YG, especially, I wouldn't want less than 18K because of the normal difference in colour between 14k and 18k. But the jeweler was rude. There are polite ways to get your point across, and she chose not to use them. CSAs often forget that consumers can take their dollars elsewhere if they receive poor treatment.

 

[Niel]

Most things in B&M stores have always been 14K, although they are carrying a lot more 10K now due to the prices of gold. However, I have never considered 10K acceptable for jewelry for myself because my skin chemistry (or the alloys used) usually cause it to discolour. I far prefer 18K, and I generally special order or order jewelry online to get it. For YG, especially, I wouldn't want less than 18K because of the normal difference in colour between 14k and 18k. But the jeweler was rude. There are polite ways to get your point across, and she chose not to use them. CSAs often forget that consumers can take their dollars elsewhere if they receive poor treatment.

see this is why i wanted 18k gold. His skin tone i really really think the yellow gold would look good. But i knew he would hate the hue of 14k.

I dont know the experience made me mad. And sure its not common but how could you not carry at least a plain domed one to show what you could order. I just feel like they were trying to tell me like they dont carry it because "i couldnt tell the difference anyways"

 

[diamondseeker2006]

In the typical chain jewelry store, people aren't necessarily looking for fine jewelry. They probably don't know what it is. That woman probably hasn't ever worked in a nicer jewelry store than Jared's so she only sees 10 and 14K. When I went with my daughter to Jared's to try on wedding bands to see what style she liked best, I asked to see milgrain beadset bands and you just wouldn't believe what she brought out!!! (Needless to say, she ended up having Maytal Hannah make her a gorgeous milgrain beadset wedding band!)

Just keep in mind that some here have said that rose gold is softer and shows more scratches, etc.

 

[Christina...]

Neilseel you mentioned the possibility of an alternative metal and I was just wondering if you have heard some of the horror stories associated with titanium? My husband is a general contractor and obviously works with his hands and around heavy machinery. We were warned that if he was to injury his finger, and it was to swell to the point that the ring wouldn't slide off that it would not be able to be cut off either. This was a few years ago and I've been told that hospitals are more prepared now due to the popularity of titanium and now most carry special tools to 'crack' the ring. I thought it was worth mentioning since we hadn't been told this by any other jeweler and wouldn't have known the risks involved otherwise.

 

[bunnycat]

Hmmm- I find that strange, as 18K and platinum were all we looked at when looking at engagement rings. Now, for a men's BAND, I can't say for sure. And we ended up with Damascus steel anyway in a pretty folded pattern because there was no way DH was going to wear a plain band (he hates plain things) and mokume was out of control expensive so Damascus was a nice compromise.

I'd expect 18K for finer jewelry (wedding, engagement) and 14K for other. Most stores I've been to show pricing for 14, 18 and plat.

 

[echomomm]

Christina, a number of men I have known who work with machinery have chosen ceramic wedding bands. If they are prone to getting a finger or hand stuck in a tight spot, ceramic will shatter instead of crush and give them a better chance of not losing a finger.

 

[maccers]

In my very limited experience, 18k isn't uncommon especially for wedding jewelry. My SO is getting an 18 k wedding band and he had a lot to choose from in the store. I live in Canada in a city with under a million ppl, for context. And, now that I think about it, we've been to several maul stores in our area and finding 18k wasn't hard at all...Regardless, I wouldn't necessarily take the SA's word for it. Sorry that you had an unpleasant experience.

eta: rose gold has been much harder for me to find here, for men and women's jewelry though it seems to be growing in popularity...wish it looked good with my skin tone.

 

[Christina...]

Christina, a number of men I have known who work with machinery have chosen ceramic wedding bands. If they are prone to getting a finger or hand stuck in a tight spot, ceramic will shatter instead of crush and give them a better chance of not losing a finger.

Ceramic was recommended to us as an alternative and DH found it very smooth and comfortable and I thought that it looked great as well. In the end we decided on a plat. band and he doesn't wear it to work, but just recently he mentioned that he would like to. I had forgotten about the ceramic until you just mentioned it, I think I'll suggest it to him again. Thanks!

 

[Niel]

YYeah he works with machinery so I was a little concerned about the alt metal and howit would work with the metal. But it was mostly because his skin just doesn't look good with white metal. I liked the gun metal better on him, he did too. I was just sure if I found a really coppery rg he'd like it. Its just so hard around here. Even at our nice non mall jewelers

 

[chemgirl]

I wouldn't call 18K gold uncommon. I'm in Canada though so that could be it.

I would say that 18k gold is uncommon at mall chain jewelry stores though. I think of it as sort of standard for mass produced jewelry, while 18k is usually carried by privately owned stores and higher-end brands. My skin reacts to some 14k gold so I usually steer clear from chain stores. I also find that shops who carry branded settings usually bring in some higher carat gold pieces.

Regarding gold color, I have pasty, freckle covered skin and I find rose gold looks much better than white. My wedding band is one of the Cartier trinity try-gold bands in 18k gold. I've been wearing it for 3 years now and it still looks great! If anything the rose gold band is holding up better than the yellow.

 

[Niel]

I wouldn't call 18K gold uncommon. I'm in Canada though so that could be it.

I would say that 18k gold is uncommon at mall chain jewelry stores though. I think of it as sort of standard for mass produced jewelry, while 18k is usually carried by privately owned stores and higher-end brands. My skin reacts to some 14k gold so I usually steer clear from chain stores. I also find that shops who carry branded settings usually bring in some higher carat gold pieces.

Regarding gold color, I have pasty, freckle covered skin and I find rose gold looks much better than white. My wedding band is one of the Cartier trinity try-gold bands in 18k gold. I've been wearing it for 3 years now and it still looks great! If anything the rose gold band is holding up better than the yellow.

Yeah see he has a similar skin color. Red hair, freckles. Not exactly pail, but not dark at all. I think i may just have to order 2 different rings and make him try them on and send back the one he doesnt like.

At the B&M store I got my ring from, i know they had 18k. They made me almost feel a little cheap for ordering my ring in 14k (at the time i was concerned the 18k would be too soft, i dont know ) And I guess yeah that was downtown and this Jareds was out near the burbs, but still. Its not downtown Detroit or anything but its a fairly well developed area of Mich. They are like 5-10 miles away, so how that woman could tell me its something she never sees in her 20 year career. I dont know. I go in there from time to time trying to get help with one thing or another (its closer to my house than downtown ) and i find it continues to amaze me how disappointing they are

 

[aviastar]

Neilseel you mentioned the possibility of an alternative metal and I was just wondering if you have heard some of the horror stories associated with titanium? My husband is a general contractor and obviously works with his hands and around heavy machinery. We were warned that if he was to injury his finger, and it was to swell to the point that the ring wouldn't slide off that it would not be able to be cut off either. This was a few years ago and I've been told that hospitals are more prepared now due to the popularity of titanium and now most carry special tools to 'crack' the ring. I thought it was worth mentioning since we hadn't been told this by any other jeweler and wouldn't have known the risks involved otherwise.

It was my understanding that this was the case for ceramic; titanium can be cut off, as can tungsten. All of them do conduct some measure of electricity, though. I wouldn't think it would be wise to wear ANY ring in a machine shop or while working on cars and such.

I think you should consider the alt metals- they are not expensive, and while they will show scratches they shouldn't get dented or out of round like gold will. And if a ceramic ring does get crushed (um, that would probably save the finger, but it would HURT), or a titanium ring scratched, it's not expensive to replace them. They can't be sized, though, which is another reason the cost is a good thing- you just replace when you need a bigger size.

As for the original question; all my jewelry is 18K (rose and white) or platinum, but I was surprised to find when doing some initial research for my band that most of those chain places don't stock any platinum at all. I think it's a cost/benefit thing as to what they have in stock, because as someone mentioned before, serious customers in those types of locations aren't necessarily looking for 18K or platinum and probably very rarely rose. But my B &M, who made my rings for me, ONLY works in 18k, so it just depends. Either way, the salesperson was rude.

 

[denverappraiser]

Cutting off titanium rings is no problem and the folks on the ambulance crew are fully prepared to do it in a matter of seconds if they want. If anything, the only real problem issue here is that the ring can’t be repaired after they do it and gold ones usually can. No biggie. Save the finger and buy another ring. The same is true for tungsten and ceramic. You are not endangering you fingers any more with these than a ring of any other material. That said, I agree with the above that wearing rings in a machine shop or similar environment is a bad idea in any case.

18k isn’t particularly popular in the US, but that doesn’t make it unavailable. You just need to find a store more suited to your style. Jared’s may not be the best fit here. Certainly that saleswoman isn't.

 

[ame]

In my VERY limited gold experience, 18 is getting more common but still much harder to find locally.

I would buy it from just about anyone else other than Jared/chain store though.

 

[Niel]

In my VERY limited gold experience, 18 is getting more common but still much harder to find locally.

I would buy it from just about anyone else other than Jared/chain store though.

Oh no I'm buying it online. But I don't want to waist my time and money shipping just to get a rose gold band for him to try on, you know?
None of the males in my family wear wedding rings. All the older ones never got any (work with machines too) and the second gen dont because we grew up never seeing any men wear them, so they seem a little weird. BUT my fi wants one so I do my best lol

 

[Sky56]

The saleswoman was rude. The way I see it is: 14K is the most common in the US, so common that it seems "the standard." Someone who said that 90% of the gold jewelry here is 14K seems to be close to the mark. However, 10K and 18K is popular and I see it just about everywhere. I never see 18K in mall stores.

 

[PintoBean]

I would try e-weddingbands.com. They organize by gold color and carat. They have great customer service and a great exchange policy. When I inquired about a ring that cannot be resized, they said that with the lifetime guaranty, it would just be a $35 to exchange to another size.

 

[ame]

In my VERY limited gold experience, 18 is getting more common but still much harder to find locally.

I would buy it from just about anyone else other than Jared/chain store though.

Oh no I'm buying it online. But I don't want to waist my time and money shipping just to get a rose gold band for him to try on, you know?
None of the males in my family wear wedding rings. All the older ones never got any (work with machines too) and the second gen dont because we grew up never seeing any men wear them, so they seem a little weird. BUT my fi wants one so I do my best lol

AH ok...

MY DH is a ginger if this helps. His ring is from Boone Rings and we got him this:

http://boonerings.com/mokume-inlays/mokumetrigold.htm

There's just enough yellow and rose in it to work with his skin well and the titanium doesn't look super off on his hand. Then again I say this as if he's worn it more than 5 times in 8 years. lol I don't know if we even could find the ring right now. He says he knows where he thinks he set it. I lost it for us like 4 years ago bec I moved it from where he had it when I was moving stuff around, and couldn't remember where I set it. He found it and I know he wore it to a wedding in November? but where it is now...yea right. We only got it because we wanted him to 1) have one and 2) have it for the wedding and pics. I don't honestly care if it is ever worn, bec I know he's not a ring/jewelry person.