Precious Metals

An interesting thing about gold is that pure gold is rarely used in jewelry because it is so soft. Therefore, it is mixed with another metal, usually copper or silver, to make it stronger and more versatile. The amount of pure gold in an alloy, or mixture, is described in karats (different from the carat weight of diamonds and other gems). The higher the percentage of pure gold in an alloy, the higher the karat. Pure gold is 24K, and 10K gold is the minimum amount of pure gold that can be called karat gold in the United States.

There are several karats available for gold, see below:

• 24K gold is pure gold.
• 18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of another metal, this makes it 75% gold.
• 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of another metal, this makes it 58.3% gold.
• 12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of another metal, this makes it 50% gold.
• 10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts another metal, this makes it 41.7% gold.

While the karat weight drops, the metal becomes more durable, and also less yellow. There are times when a gold piece has a lower karat weight, that it is plated with high-karat gold to enhance the color. You must keep in mind, that gold plating does wear off with time and you may have to get it re-plated.

Yes, pure gold is yellow but is rarely used in its pure form because it is so soft. When gold is mixed with other metals it becomes more durable and the color can be changed from yellow to white, rose and even green. The reason why different colors of gold have been developed was to give a new and different look to jewelry. The most popular color of gold in jewelry is yellow gold, followed by white gold and then rose gold. Gold jewelry is also made using a combination of different gold colors. When more than one color of gold is used in a jewelry item it is called two-tone, three-tone, or multi-colored gold jewelry.

The difference in color between yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold is determined by the metals used in the alloy mix.

• Yellow gold is made by mixing pure gold with metals such as copper and zinc.
• White gold is made by mixing pure gold and some white color metals such as silver and palladium. Often times, platinum and white gold are confused, but platinum is much rarer and much more expensive. White gold is coated with a very thin layer of rhodium. White gold will require re-coating of rhodium every 1 to 2 years. This is a common practice to keep the white fresh.
• Rose gold is made by mixing pure gold and rose-reddish color metal such as copper.

The karat weight system that is used for yellow gold is also used for white gold and rose gold. 18K yellow gold and 18K white gold have the same proportion of gold, but the remaining 25% of the alloy is different.

White gold is alloyed with nickel, copper, and zinc–and while it looks similar to platinum, it has a vastly different content. To give white gold its white luster, in the final process of manufacturing white gold is rhodium plated. Rhodium* is a shiny, white metal, which is quite hard and durable; however, over time the rhodium plating may wear away, revealing the slightly yellowish tint of the underlying metal. To keep white gold looking its best, it may require rhodium re-plating every 12 to 18 months, depending on wear. *A hard, durable, silvery-white metallic element that is used to form high-temperature alloys with platinum and is plated on other metals to produce a durable corrosion-resistant coating.

Also known as pink gold or red gold; is a mixture of pure yellow gold with a high percentage of copper. It has a very subtle and delicate color that may intensify somewhat with age due to a slight, but attractive, tarnishing of the copper. It is created by increasing the copper-colored alloys mixed with the gold and decreasing the silver-colored alloys. 14K rose gold contains as much pure gold as 14K yellow gold but, because of the increased copper, is slightly pinker in color. Rose gold is available in 9K, 14K, and in 18K gold. Rose gold is very popular with vintage and halo settings. Rings, Pendants, Earrings, and Bracelets can all be produced in the Rose Gold metal.

Platinum is considered the “new metal” – it is rare and pure. Platinum is generally 95% pure; it is sometimes mixed with a small amount of iridium and ruthenium to add strength. Platinum is stamped PT = 950 (95%) or PLAT=900 (90%) in the United States to indicate that it is platinum. Platinum’s purity makes it hypoallergenic and ideal for those with sensitive skin. Platinum jewelry doesn’t fade or tarnish and keeps its look for a lifetime. Precious metals can scratch and platinum is no exception. However, the scratch on platinum is merely a displacement of the metal and none of its volumes is lost. When this happens, take your piece to a qualified jeweler to have it re-polished to a high gloss look. Platinum is the most popular and expensive metal available today.

Palladium offers many of the same desirable characteristics of platinum but at a much lower price. It is as white as platinum and whiter than white gold. Palladium is lightweight, hypoallergenic, easy to finish and polish, it does not require rhodium plating, (like white gold), and is one of the whitest of all metals. Palladium is one of the “sister” metals of platinum and shares many of the same unique characteristics and physical properties of platinum.

950 Palladium jewelry typically contain 95% Palladium and about 5% ruthenium and have trace amounts of other metals. The weight and feel of the 950 palladium wedding band are very close to that of the 14k white gold wedding band.

So why choose palladium? If your budget allows, platinum is still the king of all metals. However, palladium offers many of the same desirable characteristics of platinum but at a lower price.

Silver is a popular metal for use in jewelry such as earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, and rings. Silver is a softer metal than gold and platinum and is usually not suitable for wedding rings and engagement rings. Although it looks grey, silver is considered a white metal. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and usually mixed with copper. Silver is prone to oxidation which can cause the silver to turn a blackish color. You can easily make silver look like new again if you use a silver jewelry cleaner or have it cleaned by a local jeweler. As you can see, precious metals are integral to any diamond and jewelry sets that you may choose. There are different metals to choose from according to your personal taste and budget!

Rhodium is a silver-white metallic element, is highly resistant to corrosion, and is extremely reflective. It is used as a finish for jewelry. Rhodium is a so-called noble metal, resistant to corrosion, found in platinum- or nickel ores together with the other members of the platinum group metals. This plating helps prevent tarnishing, protects the metal for longevity.

Does not readily corrode, rust or stain with water as ordinary steel does, but despite the name, it is not fully stain-proof, most notably under low-oxygen, high-salinity, or poor circulation environments. There are different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment the alloy must endure. Stainless steel is used where both the properties of steel and corrosion resistance are required. Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by the amount of chromium present. Unprotected carbon steel rusts readily when exposed to air and moisture. Very affordable often used in men’s jewelry.

As you can see, precious metals are integral to any diamond and jewelry settings that you may choose. There are different metals to choose from according to your personal taste and budget!