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Should you choose a matte or shiny finish for you engagement ring?

  • How does the precious metal of an engagement ring become matte or shiny?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of matte engagement rings compared to shiny ones?

When choosing an engagement ring you are presented with many different options that can transform the look and feel of a ring even if the basic shape is the same. Your options start with the choice of the precious metal and the choice of the diamond, and go all the way to the question whether the metal should be polished matte or shiny.

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How does the precious metal of an engagement ring become matte or shiny?

When making an engagement ring, the precious metal used, whether gold or platinum, is polished at the end to give it its shine. Polishing creates a flat surface that shines brightly. This is why we also speak of "high-gloss polishing". However, if you prefer more discreet look you might want to consider a matted surface instead.

During this process, exactly the opposite happens. The engagement ring surface is slightly roughened and the light is less reflected. Both effects or finishes can also be combined together. For example, one part of the ring appears shiny and the other matte.

With matte engagement rings, a distinction is also made between different types of matting. One possible finish is sand matte when the ring is blasted with quartz sand, which leaves a slightly dotted and relatively robust surface. Furthermore, there are transverse matte and longitudinal matte finishes, these styles result from sanding in a certain direction. Brushed ice matte creates a somewhat coarser look reminiscent of ice crystals.  

In general, large engagement rings and wider ring bands are better suited for matte engagement rings than very fine and delicate rings, where the optical effect is lost due to the small surface of the ring.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of matte engagement rings compared to shiny ones?

Whether you choose matte or shiny engagement rings is primarily a question of personal taste. Both variants have neither very decisive advantages nor serious disadvantages.

Ruby and diamond engagement ring from BAUNAT - A gold engagement ring with diamonds and ruby, shiny band
Taking care of smooth shiny finish rings is a lot easier in an everyday scenario as small scratches are not easily noticeable, and they can be simply removed from the surface by polishing.  On the other hand, matte surfaces require a little more care as the scratches over time become more pronounced due to the wear and tear. The surface of a matte ring inevitably will also become a little shinier over time as a result of the polish process.
If you want to try to revive the look of your ring at home, you could use the rough side of a kitchen sponge and gently rub the surface. However, if you are not sure what type of matte finish was used on your ring for example, transverse or longitudinal, our advice is to consult an expert or to turn to an online jeweller.

Ultimately, being cautious when cleaning and caring for your ring is the best advice, we can give you and don’t risk damaging the setting or the gemstone.

Bottom line is that shiny finish is easier to care for and one of the most popular choices for an engagement ring. Nevertheless, the matte finish is becoming fashionable choice for rings due to new designs and technological innovations.

Would you like to buy an engagement ring and get advice on the design choice? The team of experts at BAUNAT is at your disposal and looks forward to hearing from you.

What else would you like to know about our engagement rings?

Now you know what types of engagement rings are available in matte and shiny. Are you looking for more information and inspiration regarding the choice or individual design of your engagement ring? We have put together some interesting articles for you:

Frequently asked Questions

Which engagement ring to choose?

You can't go wrong with giving an engagement ring with a solitaire brilliant (round diamond) of 1.00 carat. With its dazzling sparkle as a symbol of your love, this is the ultimate classic for a very good reason. Although there's nothing to prevent you going for a more personal touch like a trilogy ring with 3 diamonds, or a halo ring. And other cuts (especially the heart shape), or even a superbly coloured sapphire, ruby, or emerald as gemstone are also possibilities.

What’s the difference between platinum and white gold?

Platinum and white gold are both precious metals. Platinum is rarer and more expensive than white gold. It’s stronger too. White gold has a distinct shiny silver colour, whereas platinum looks more greyish-white. Both are mixed with other metals for strength. A ring in white gold is more traditional and more symbolic than a platinum one.

Learn more about the differences between white gold and platinum or instantly choose your favourite precious metal from BAUNAT.

What is white gold?

White gold is a precious metal with a silver shine, often used for jewellery. It is created by mixing yellow gold with other white shiny metals, such as silver and palladium. Pure white gold doesn’t exist. The white gold ring has always been a very popular choice for wedding rings. White gold earrings are the most versatile.

Learn more about white gold or instantly choose your favourite precious metal from BAUNAT.

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Gerd Van de Vel