Choosing the best precious metal for your ring
Posted by James McDermott on
The metal used in your jewellery greatly contributes to the brilliance of the diamond/s set in it and reflects the character and aesthetics of the wearer. It is therefore essential that you choose the one that best suits their personal preference and lifestyle.
The three most popular precious metals used in jewellery are Gold, Platinum and Silver.
GOLD
Gold has always been a timeless classic in luxury jewellery, thanks to its naturally warm, yellow hue and beautiful shine.
Gold is available in different degrees of purity, which is measured in carats. The highest possible carat is 24K, which is considered to be pure gold. Pure gold is, however, soft and easily damaged, and therefore when used to craft jewellery it is mixed (or alloyed) with other metals to make it more durable. For example, 18K gold is 18 parts gold, 6 parts other metals.
Gold can come in many colours depending on the alloy that it is mixed with, but the three most popular are:
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is the only type of gold naturally found in the earth.
Pure gold mixed with a little silver and copper for a warm look and to make it harder, therefore more resistant to scratching and denting.
9K gold contains more alloy mix than 18K gold, which gives it a slightly diluted colour and tends not to age as well as 18K.
White Gold
White gold does not occur naturally but is made by adding silver or palladium to yellow gold. Rhodium plating can be added to improve its whiteness and durability.
9K white gold is a mixture of yellow gold and silver, while 18K white gold is yellow gold and palladium which gives it a rich and creamy colour. The palladium also makes it more durable than 9K white gold.
Pink / Rose Gold
Ever-increasing in popularity, these reddish-gold options are created by mixing yellow gold with copper, which is what gives it it’s warm red blush.
The general mix is about three parts of 24K gold to one part of copper. The quantity of copper determines whether the gold is pink or more rose coloured
PLATINUM
This is the rarest, heaviest and most durable of the precious metals.
It is 30 times rarer than gold, 40% heavier than 14K gold, and will not tarnish over time due to its high durability. This coupled with its incredible white shine makes platinum a highly desirable metal.
During wartime in the 20th century, Platinum was taken off the market, which really gives you a sense of just how durable the metal is. Because of its hardness, the details of intricately engraved or embellished rings often look sharper and more precise when done in platinum.
SILVER
Silver is the most affordable of the precious metals.
Like gold, pure silver is too soft to be used in jewellery and therefore combined with other metals such as copper to boost its strength. This is known as sterling silver.
Sterling silver can range in its whiteness from bright white to a more greyish white and can have a shiny or matte finish.
Although beautiful, silver does tarnish, and therefore requires regular polishing.