PRECIOUS METALS

The composition and quality of some popular precious metals and colours.

Platinum

Platinum is the strongest, most pure precious metal and can easily last a lifetime. Platinum is typically an alloy containing 90% to 95% platinum and the balance alloy. Iridium or ruthenium is often used as a hardener alloy. It has a silver-tone but is much more highly prized than stainless silver settings.

It’s a rich and classic choice. Its composition is resistant to damage and wear. It is also hypoallergenic and has a satin-like finish, the safest metal for durably setting any kind of gemstone.

18K Yellow Gold

18K yellow gold is the most classic look for high-end jewellery. It is rich in a golden yellow colour, but slightly softer than platinum. Yellow gold of 18k is composed of 75% gold and 25% pure alloy metals such as copper, silver, zinc, and/or cobalt.

It polishes and repairs easily and is resistant to tarnish and wear. Though it is less expensive than platinum, it is still a very valuable precious metal.

14K Yellow Gold

If you are on a budget, 14K yellow gold is a great option. It is known for its sturdiness and composed of 58.5% gold and 41.5% pure metal alloys such as copper, silver, and zinc. It has a similar hue to 18K in terms of colour.

Like 18K yellow gold, it is tarnish and wear-resistant.

18K White Gold

18K white gold is composed of 75% gold and 25% copper, nickel, zinc, and/or palladium. Jewellery made from these metals have a slight yellow colour, so to enhance the whiteness, almost all white gold is plated with rhodium – a shiny, white metal which is extremely hard. Although quite durable, the rhodium plating may wear off over time. Jewellery can be re-plated with rhodium to restore the whiteness. A quick trip to the jeweller’s is all it takes to bring your piece back to life.

Tarnish and wear-resistant. Less expensive than platinum, yet very valuable and popular.

14K White Gold

14K white gold is composed of 58.5% gold and 41.5% copper, nickel, and zinc. An affordable and popular metal for jewellery. Good balance of durability and value. Like 18K white gold, 14K white gold is also plated with rhodium – a shiny, white metal that is extremely hard. Although quite durable, the rhodium plating may wear off over time. Jewellery can be re-plated with rhodium to restore the whiteness.

It holds its polish and colour for many years. Good resistance to scratching and bending and less expensive than 18K gold.

18K Rose Gold

18K rose gold is composed of 75% gold and 25% pure metal alloys such as copper, silver, and sometimes zinc.

Considered by many to be the most romantic metal due to its pinkish tone and doesn’t require rhodium plating. It has a vintage appeal with a romantic connotation and complements all skin tones due to its rose colour.

It is also very durable, more than yellow or white gold. It’s softer and less expensive than platinum.

Rose gold jewellery stands out among the rest and thus, is becoming more popular with each passing day.

14K Rose Gold

14K rose gold is composed of 58.3% gold and mixed with copper, silver, and/or zinc.

Just like 18k rose gold, 14k rose gold also considered by many to be the most romantic metal due to its pinkish tone and doesn’t require rhodium plating. It has a vintage appeal with a romantic connotation and complements all skin tones due to its rose colour.

It is also very durable, more than yellow or white gold. Less expensive than 18k rose gold.