PRECIOUS METALS GUIDE
Alloy or Alloys, are two or more metals combined to form a new type of metal with different characteristics.
The new metal may be harder, have a different color, or be different in some other way.
YELLOW GOLD
While we often think of yellow gold as being pure, the yellow gold used for rings is an alloy made by combining pure gold with metals such as zinc and copper. As with other gold colors, the higher the karat amount, the higher the actual gold content, but the less durable the piece of jewellery is. Therefore, 18K or 14K gold is used for wedding and engagement rings. This gives them a beautiful golden hue while helping them to stand up against the demands of everyday wear. Yellow gold looks nice on anyone, but is particularly beautiful when contrasted with olive and darker skin tones. It looks less impressive on pale to rose skin tones, meaning white or rose gold might be a better choice for someone with fair skin. Some other considerations to keep in mind when comparing yellow gold with rose gold and white gold is that yellow gold, particularly high-karat yellow gold, can be easily scratched and dented. It needs to be cleaned and polished regularly.
WHITE GOLD
The main difference between yellow gold and white gold is that white gold is an alloy of gold and a white metal such as palladium, manganese, or nickel. Like yellow gold, white gold’s purity is defined in karats. White gold rings often contain nickel, which provides the strength needed for a durable setting that lasts. If you like the look of platinum but want to spend a little less, white gold is a fantastic choice. When comparing white gold vs. yellow gold, white gold is stronger and more durable, meaning it is less susceptible to scratching and denting. Like all precious metals used for rings, white gold requires some maintenance. Cleaning and polishing is a must, and this metal needs to be dipped every few years in order to retain luster and color. On the downside, white gold that contains nickel can cause allergic reactions in some people with sensitive skin. If you have a nickel allergy and want to wear white gold, you will need to choose jewellery made with a nickel-free alloy. White gold has a cool, sophisticated gleam. When you look at white gold vs. rose gold and yellow gold, you’ll find that it looks nice with all skin tones, but is particularly complementary to fair and rosy skin tones. If you are looking for rings that complement olive or darker skin tones, consider yellow gold or rose gold.
ROSE GOLD
Next, let’s take a look at rose gold vs. yellow gold vs. white gold. Rose gold is a gold and copper alloy that is sometimes referred to as red gold or pink gold. As it was popular in Russia at the turn of the nineteenth century, was once commonly referred to as Russian Gold, although the term is rarely heard these days. Like yellow gold and white gold, rose gold is a very popular choice for rings. Though it is seen less often, it is gaining popularity, particularly among people who want their wedding and engagement rings to have a unique, romantic look. Rose gold works well in all types of settings but is particularly appealing in vintage-inspired engagement rings and wedding rings. It can be combined with white or yellow gold to create a unique multi-colored setting that appeals to the wearer’s artistic side. Durability is another consideration to keep in mind when comparing rose gold vs. yellow gold vs. white gold. Incredibly, this softly romantic colored gold is the strongest of the three, as copper is very sturdy and the resulting alloy is tougher than yellow or white gold. On the downside, copper can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, and is not considered to be a hypo-allergenic metal. If shopping for someone with very sensitive skin, yellow gold may be your best choice.
PLATINUM
Among the main advantages of platinum for jewellery fabrication are its strength and resistance to tarnish. It can be repeatedly heated and cooled without hardening and oxidation effects, while even the most slender sections of platinum permanently retain their shape, providing a secure setting for diamonds and giving jewellery designers a freedom of invention not always possible with other materials. Perhaps the best example of platinum’s technical virtuosity is the tension ring, in which a gemstone is held in place by the tensile strength of the platinum ring shank alone. Many consumers also appreciate the rarity and durability of platinum, while its density offers a satisfying, weighty feel. Platinum does make certain demands on the jeweller’s skills. It requires high temperature melting and casting equipment (pure platinum melts at 1769oC) and a scrupulously clean working environment. Careful attention to polishing technique is needed to achieve the highly reflective finish which shows a diamond or other precious stone at its best.
PALLADIUM
Palladium is a noble metal and part of the Platinum group of metals. It was discovered in 1803 and was named after the astroid Pallas. Being a noble metal, the colour that you see is the metal colour throughout with no plating required, like in the case of white gold. Palladium’s low density makes a jewellery item weigh lighter than Platinum jewellery, lowering the cost to manufacturer and consumer alike. Palladium is also hyper-allergenic and will not cause skin rashes or discomfort any person prone to allergies. The most popular and best alloy for jewellery usage is 95% purity which makes the jewellery pure and durable at the same time. Any jewellery design that is possible with Platinum is also possible using Palladium, from hand-crafted jewellery making to machine casting and production work. Palladium will continue to grow in popularity with time.
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