About Precious Metals
Types Of Precious Metals:
For Ring Settings If you’re shopping and Engagement Ring you most likely have already figured out you’re creating the one-of-a-kind ring that will be worn for the rest of her life. To help you along we’ve created some guidance to help get you started:
Platinum:
Platinum is rare and expensive, possibly the strongest precious metal. Platinum Jewelry is made up of 90 to 95% pure platinum which makes the surface soft and will scratch easy. The surface does not wear away and in time develops a satin finish and is hypoallergenic.
18K Gold:
A classic metal with high gold purity composed of 75% gold and 25% alloys. It is Less expensive than platinum, yet highly valued. This softer, malleable metal is easy to polish and repair, resistant to rust and tarnishing and 18k yellow gold is rich in color.
14K Gold:
Is a very popular precious metal used in fine jewelry, composed of 58.5% gold and 41.5% alloys. 14K Gold is less expensive than 18k gold and is, known for strength, longer wear, is easy to polish and repair and resistant to rust and tarnishing with moderate color when compared to 18k yellow gold.
Silver:
This guide will help you understand and identify quality silver jewelry and accessories. Sterling Silver is the standard for beautiful high-quality silver jewelry made up of 92.5% pure silver, mixed with alloys to add strength and durability that won’t wear down, as silver plating can.
Care of Sterling Silver:
To minimize scratches and other damage, store your silver jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box. Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage silver. Try to avoid silver tarnish build-up, which is a dulling of the surface that naturally occurs. Use polishes formulated specifically to remove tarnish from silver. Tarnish is most easily removed when it first becomes visible.
Palladium:
Is a rare metal with the highest purity Composed of 95% palladium and 5% other pure alloys, it is less expensive than platinum, yet offers great value Known for strength, yet lighter than platinum and has a natural and permanent whiteness. It is easy to polish and repair, resistant to corrosion, oxidation, and tarnishing. Palladium is also hypoallergenic.