METAL EDUCATION
Choosing the right metal for your jewellery is such an important part of the design process. The metal you choose is often decided based on a number of factors including your preference to metal colour, your budget and the durability of the metal.
Using this guide you should gain an understanding of the basics to make the decision much simpler.
Here at Angelic Diamonds we have the options for 9 Karat and 18 Karat Yellow, White and Rose Gold along with Platinum 950 and Palladium 950. You’ll find information on all of those metals below.
Gold
Gold in its purest form is known as 24 Karat Gold and will not have been mixed with any other metals. This purity of gold is much too soft for creating jewellery so it is mixed with other alloys such as copper and silver to create a more durable alloy. This in turn creates a stronger and more enduring metal, suitable for everyday use.
The Karat grading of Gold is a measurement of purity, not weight. This Karat grading is not to be confused with Carat which is a measurement of diamond weight.
18 Karat Gold
18 Karat Gold consists of 75% gold. It is an excellent metal for making jewellery and highly recommended. 18 Karat Gold is a stronger metal than 9 Karat Gold.
9 Karat Gold
9 Karat Gold consists of 37.5% gold. It is the most affordable of the precious metals.
Colour
Pure Gold is naturally bright yellow in colour. The colour of gold used in jewellery is determined by the type of alloy and the percentage of alloy used.
White Gold
White Gold is a stunning and popular choice for all jewellery. This metal type has the same white finish as Platinum but with a lower price.
As Gold is naturally yellow in colour white gold is created by mixing pure gold with other white metals. This creates a metal colour that is light grey or yellowish in colour. In order to create a pure white finish white gold is then plated in a metal called Rhodium. Rhodium plating will wear away so regular re-plating is often required to maintain its whiteness. The process of creating White Gold is the same worldwide.
We do not use Nickel in our white gold jewellery, or any other metals.
Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold is another popular choice for jewellery. This is a classic and traditional choice, especially for engagement rings. The warm hue of Yellow Gold compliments a lower colour graded diamond.
Yellow gold is created by mixing pure gold with alloys such as copper and zinc.
Rose Gold
Rose Gold is popular for all jewellery but perhaps not as commonly used as Yellow or White Gold. Rose Gold has risen in popularity over the last 10 years but it does actually date back much further than this. It was first used in early 19th century Russia and later became a favourite in the US during the roaring 20’s.
Rose gold is created by mixing pure gold with copper.
Platinum
Platinum is one of the most popular metals for engagement rings. It is naturally white and its colour will never fade or change colour. It complements the beauty and sparkle of a diamond magnificently.
Platinum is four times stronger and 40% heavier than gold and is renowned for its hard wearing properties.
Platinum is a rare precious metal, more than 30 times rarer than gold, this is why platinum is more expensive than the other precious metals.
Platinum is one of the most pure precious metals used in jewellery. Most fine platinum jewellery uses Platinum 950 which is a blend of 95% platinum and 5% alloy metals (usually cobalt). All Platinum products purchased from Angelic Diamonds will be a 950 Platinum alloy.
Platinum over time will scratch like other precious metals, however a professional polish will restore the jewellery to its original condition.
Palladium
Palladium has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to Platinum. Palladium, like Platinum, is a naturally white metal so that won’t change colour over time. Palladium is more lightweight than Platinum.
Just like Platinum, all Palladium items purchased from Angelic Diamonds will be a 950 Palladium Alloy. 950 Palladium is a blend of 95% Palladium and 5% alloy metals (usually Ruthenium).
What are the differences between Platinum and Palladium?
Platinum and Palladium pose a lot of the same qualities, however Palladium is far less dense than platinum making it a lot lighter.
You won’t find a noticeable difference in weight between the two metals when it comes to daintier pieces such as engagement rings. You will find a difference in larger pieces such as men’s wedding rings.
What are the differences between White Gold and Platinum?
- The first main difference is the weight. Platinum is approximately 33% denser than gold. So the same piece in gold will be lighter than platinum.
- Platinum is harder wearing than gold. It will scratch over time like other precious metals but this is only a displacement of metal, not a loss in volume and can be polished to restore its look.
- Over time platinum develops 'patina' which results in a tarnished effect. Overtime gold can also fade in colour. Both metals can be cleaned and polished to their original colour and shine.
- Platinum has a purity of 95% appose to 18K gold of 75%.
- Platinum is a naturally white metal where gold is a naturally yellow metal, that is mixed with other alloys to create white.
Hallmarking
All of the precious metals, over a certain weight, which we use to create jewellery, must be independently hallmarked to confirm the metal purity.
- Gold pieces weighing more than 1 gram must be hallmarked.
- Platinum pieces weighing more than 0.5 grams must be hallmarked.
- Palladium pieces weighing more than 1 gram must be hallmarked
Check out our helpful guide to hallmarking here.
Caring For Your Jewellery
To maintain and care for your Gold, Platinum and Palladium jewellery try to follow a few basic tips:
- Do not wear your jewellery when carrying out rough jobs.
- When storing your jewellery, always place it back in its box or a soft cloth bag.
- Keep your jewellery away from harmful chemicals or corrosives such as chlorine and bleach.
- Clean you Jewellery with mild soap, warm water and a soft-bristled brush
