Why Men Buy Solid Gold Rings from Ivanov
While we offer various ring materials to suit different budgets and needs, our solid gold collection is focused on one thing: genuine 14k or 18k gold construction that retains its value over the decades. We understand that investing in a solid gold ring is a significant decision, and we want to assure you that our transparent pricing and commitment to quality make our rings a worthwhile investment.
We founded Ivanov Jewelry in 2008, with a focus on craftsmanship and transparent pricing. Every solid gold ring in this collection is made by hand or with unique modern machinery in our workshop, produced in small batches. You're getting something crafted specifically for your order, not pulled from warehouse inventory that's been sitting for months.
The appeal of solid gold is straightforward—it's jewelry your kids or grandkids can actually inherit and wear. While other ring materials serve their purpose well, solid gold stands alone in its category when it comes to longevity and intrinsic value.
What's Different Here
We combine gold with carbon fiber, add titanium inlays, and accent pieces with tantalum for a distinctive look. Every ring includes engraving at no extra cost—because we believe personalization should always come standard in a wedding band.
Gold Purity: What 14k and 18k Actually Mean
The karat number 10k, 14k, 18k, 24k tells you how much pure gold is mixed with other metals. Higher numbers mean more gold, but not necessarily better for rings.
14k Gold Rings
14k is 58.3% pure gold. The rest is copper, silver, or zinc. Lower karat percentage doesn't mean worse quality for wedding bands - actually the opposite in many cases.
Those extra metals make 14k harder. Work with tools? Hit the gym with your ring on? Do manual labor? 14k takes the beating better. Guys in construction and trades go this route because their hands see rough use daily.
As far as looks go, 14k is gold-colored. Set an 18k ring next to it and you'll see 18k leans slightly warmer in tone. Wear just one? Can't tell the difference. The durability gap is more noticeable than the color gap if your hands stay busy.
18k Gold Rings
18k contains 75% pure gold. That extra gold content shows in the color—richer, deeper yellow tone. It's softer than 14k, which isn't necessarily bad. Just means you should be slightly more careful with it.
Office workers tend to prefer 18k. Less physical wear on the ring daily, and they want that higher gold content. Also, 18k causes fewer skin reactions because there's less alloy metal touching you. 18k gold is generally more suitable for people with sensitive skin or metal reactions.
Why Not 24k?
24k is basically pure gold—99.9%. Sounds premium until you realize it's too soft for rings. It bends if you grip something hard. Scratches from just about anything. Fine for coins or bullion, useless for jewelry you actually wear.
We don't even offer 24k rings. There's no point. You'd damage it within a month.
Different Styles of Solid Gold Rings We Make
Classic Gold Bands
Plain gold bands in different widths. 4mm if you want slim and understated. 8mm if you've got bigger hands or want something substantial. Everything in between works too.
Finish options change how the ring looks completely. High polish is traditional—shiny, reflective, formal. Brushed finish adds fine texture lines that hide scratches better. Satin gives you matte gold without visible grain direction. Hammered looks handmade because it is—every hammer mark is unique.
You can combine finishes too. Polished edges with brushed center is common. Adds visual interest without getting complicated.
Gold Rings with Diamonds
We set diamonds three ways depending on what you're going for.
Channel setting runs diamonds in a groove around the band. Protected on both sides by the gold, so less likely to catch on things or get knocked loose. Clean look, practical design.
Bezel setting wraps a thin rim of gold completely around each diamond. Maximum stone protection. The metal border makes smaller diamonds look slightly bigger too.
Flush setting embeds diamonds level with the ring surface. Nothing sticks out. Good for guys who work with their hands and don't want stones snagging on gloves or equipment.
Stone size matters. We use smaller diamonds placed strategically. A row of small stones adds sparkle. One big stone tends to look out of place on men's rings. The gold should be the main feature, diamonds are accents.
Diamond-Cut Patterns
We carve geometric patterns into the gold using diamond-tipped cutting wheels. The facets catch light at angles a smooth surface can't match. Greek key borders show up frequently. Chevrons too. Some guys want something totally custom. Pictures don't do it justice—the way light hits those cuts changes depending on how you move your hand.
Two-Tone Gold Rings
Mixing yellow and white gold in one ring gives you versatility. Your ring works with yellow gold jewelry and white gold jewelry both.
Usually we set a white gold center section between yellow gold rails, or flip it the other way. The contrast line is sharp—no gradual blending, just distinct color change. Works well on wider bands where you have room for the design.
Rose gold combinations are available too. Rose gold gets its pink tone from copper in the alloy. Paired with yellow or white gold, it creates warmer, less common color combinations.
Mixed Metal Combinations
This is where we diverge from traditional jewelry completely. Combining gold with modern industrial metals creates designs you won't find in regular stores.
Gold and Titanium
Titanium weighs almost nothing but is incredibly strong. We inlay gold bands into titanium bases or do it reversed—titanium inlays in gold bands. The weight difference is noticeable immediately when you pick one up. If you don't like heavy rings, titanium-gold combinations solve that while keeping gold's visual appeal.
Gold and Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber has that woven pattern you see on high-end car parts. Black carbon fiber sections bordered by gold create strong visual contrast. Better suited to wider bands where the carbon fiber pattern shows properly. Looks modern, holds up well, completely different from traditional gold bands.
Gold and Tantalum
Tantalum is naturally dark gray with a subtle sheen. It's a rare metal, corrosion-resistant, dense but comfortable. Against yellow gold, that gray-gold contrast looks sophisticated without being flashy. Tantalum has unique heft to it—substantial feel without being uncomfortably heavy.
Gold and Zirconium
When you heat-treat zirconium, it turns deep black. Not a coating that chips off—the black is oxidation in the metal itself. That black-gold combination is dramatic. Sharp contrast, contemporary look. The black doesn't wear away because it's not surface-level.
Picking Your Gold Ring
Think About Your Daily Life
Be realistic about what your hands do. Physical job? 14k holds up better to impacts and abrasion. Desk job? Either 14k or 18k works fine, so it's a matter of preference regarding gold content and color depth.
Some guys own two rings. A nice 18k band for occasions, or a tougher 14k or alternative metal ring for work and the gym. There's no rule saying you can't switch depending on what you're doing.
Finish Selection Changes Everything
High polish looks formal and traditional. Reflects light, but shows scratches easily; however, they can be polished out. If you like shiny jewelry, this is standard.
Brushed finish has fine parallel lines from abrasive pads. Creates texture, reduces glare, hides minor scratches in the grain pattern. Lower maintenance than polished.
Satin finish is smooth matte. Similar scratch-hiding benefits to brushed but without directional lines. Clean appearance, less reflective than polish.
Hammered finish leaves tool marks intentionally. Every ring looks slightly different because hammer strikes vary. Adds character, hides wear in the texture. Good if you like artisan-style metalwork.
Mix finishes for custom looks. Polished rails with satin center is popular. Adds dimension without complicated designs.
Width Matters
4mm and 5mm bands are slim. Look subtle, feel lightweight, traditional styling. Works better on smaller hands or if you prefer a less noticeable ring.
6mm and 7mm hit the middle range. Visible without being excessive. The most popular widths are those that accommodate different hand sizes and styles.
8mm and wider make statements. Show off details like inlays and patterns better because there's more surface area. If you have larger hands, wider bands look more proportional.
Wider bands fit tighter than narrow ones, even at the same ring size. Your size 10 finger might need a size 10.5 in an 8mm band. We measure correctly before making anything.
Band Fit Options
Wedding bands aren’t all shaped the same on the inside. Some have a flat interior that sits firmly on the finger, while others are slightly curved for a lighter feel. Comfort-fit styles are rounded to make the ring easier to wear every day. The right choice comes down to how you like your ring to feel.
Adding Custom Engraving
Engraving goes inside the band or outside, your choice. Inside is traditional and stays protected. Outside is visible but wears faster from exposure.
Popular engraving options:
- Wedding dates and names
- GPS coordinates from proposals or meaningful places
- Short phrases (space is limited, keep it brief)
- Fingerprints
- Small symbols or initials
Outside engraving needs deeper cuts to last. Inside engraving can be finer since it's protected from wear.
Maintaining Your Solid Gold Ring
Gold doesn't rust or tarnish. That's the main advantage. Your ring will look basically the same in thirty years if you do minimal maintenance.
Regular Cleaning
To keep your ring looking its best, give it a quick clean about once a week. Simply leave it in warm water with a small amount of mild soap for 20 minutes. After soaking, use a soft toothbrush to gently work around any fine details, rinse well, and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. That’s usually all the care it needs—specialized cleaners are only necessary if the ring gets heavily built up with dirt.
What to Avoid
Remove your ring for swimming in the pool and hot tubs. Chlorine damages gold alloys over time with repeated exposure. Occasionally is fine, but daily swimming means removing the ring.
Harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia cleaners, paint thinners—take your ring off before handling those. They can pit or discolor gold alloys.
Don't use abrasive scrubbing pads or rough cloths. They scratch gold. Soft brushes and microfiber cloths only.
Skip ultrasonic cleaners unless you know what you're doing. They can loosen stones or damage certain inlay materials in mixed-metal rings.
Storage
Keep your gold ring separate from harder metals like tungsten or stainless steel. Those metals can scratch gold if they rub together in a drawer or jewelry box. Small ring dish works fine.
Professional Service
Bring your ring in once a year for inspection and deep cleaning. We check settings if you have stones, look for any structural issues, clean it properly with professional equipment. This is a free inspection of Ivanov rings.
Our Warranty Explained
Every ring comes with a 30-day warranty covering defects in materials and craftsmanship. If the issue is due to how we made the ring, we will repair or replace it at no cost.
Please note that accidental damage, loss, or theft is not covered. These situations are best handled through jewelry insurance or an extended warranty plan.
Extended Warranty
You can purchase an extended warranty from Ivanov Jewelry, which includes coverage for:
Stone tightening on diamond-set rings
Replacement of missing stones
Professional refinishing
Resizing (when possible)
⚠️ Some designs cannot be resized without compromising the structure, such as:
Eternity bands
Rings with continuous designs on top
Sectioned or heavily ornamented styles
Rings with textured finishes
In these cases, creating a new ring is often the safer option instead of resizing.
Custom Design Process
Standard catalog not working for you? We'll design something from scratch from Solid gold, Platinum, and Diamonds
Step 1: Design consultation
Share your vision with us—whether it's photos, sketches, or inspiration. Together we'll review what's possible, refine the design, and finalize a concept that works beautifully.
Step 2: CAD modeling
We design a detailed 3D digital model of your ring, viewable from every angle. You can request adjustments until it’s perfect, and only after your approval do we begin crafting the piece.
Step 3: Production
Complex custom pieces take 3-4 weeks to make. Simpler modifications, such as different widths or finish combinations, take 2-3 weeks.
Step 4: Finishing
Final polishing, engraving if requested, quality inspection, and then we ship it. Custom rings cost more than catalog pieces because you're paying for individual design time and one-off production, rather than batch efficiency. Typically, a 20-40% premium, depending on complexity. We give you exact pricing after the design consultation.
Why Gold Instead of Other Ring Metals
Gold lasts forever. It doesn't corrode, rust, or tarnish. Your ring looks the same in fifty years.
Gold can be resized. Finger size changes? We cut the ring and resize it. Can do this multiple times. Tungsten, ceramic, carbon fiber? It can't be resized at all. Once you buy them, that's the size they will be permanently.
Gold has actual value. It's a precious metal with commodity pricing. Your ring has intrinsic worth beyond just being jewelry.
Gold is hypoallergenic. Pure gold doesn't cause skin reactions. 18k is better than 14k for those with allergies due to its higher gold content and lower alloy metal content.
Gold works with everything. Casual clothes, formal wear, and other jewelry. Never looks out of place or dated.
Gold can be refinished. Scratched up after years? We polish it back to a new condition. That can't be done with harder metals like tungsten or ceramic.
Yes, gold costs more upfront than steel, tungsten, or titanium. But calculate the cost per year over thirty or forty years of wear. Gold wins on value.
Visit Our Workshop or Order Online
We have a physical showroom where you can see rings in person, try different sizes, and talk with someone who actually makes jewelry instead of just selling it. Schedule an appointment for dedicated time, or stop by during regular hours if we're not booked.
Ivanov Jewelry
550 South Hill Street, Suite 532
Los Angeles CA 90013
Can't visit? Our website shows the full catalog with detailed photos, 360-degree views, and complete specifications on every ring. Ordering online gets you the same quality and service—we just ship it instead of handing it over.
Free shipping in the US. International shipping calculated at checkout. Everything ships insured with tracking. Packaging protects the ring without wasteful excess.
30-day returns, no questions. Ring doesn't fit or you changed your mind? Send it back for full refund. Custom engraved rings can't be returned for obvious reasons, but everything else qualifies.
