My Precious…Metals
There are different types of precious metals that are used to make fine jewelry. Jewelry is made out of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Most people have a preference in what type of metal they prefer whether it be gold or white in color.
Gold has a long history and has been used for thousands of years for ornamental decorations and jewelry. Most engagement rings are made of either 18K or 14K gold. The capital letter K stands for karat and is how the amount of pure gold is measured in a ring. 18K gold consists of 75% gold and 25% other metals, such as copper and silver. 14K gold consists of 58% gold and 42% of other metals including copper and silver.
The reason gold is mixed with other alloys is because it is too soft for jewelry otherwise. 18K and 14K both make for stylish jewelry. While 18K gold will be more expensive, it is also more durable and valuable than 14K gold. 18K or 14K white gold might be what you are going for if you want gold with a silver look.
If your loved one prefers white jewelry you can choose between white gold, palladium, or platinum. Platinum is very expensive metal, but one of the most durable metals. Platinum is one of the rarest and most sought after of all the precious metals.
To give you an example of how rare it is; all of the platinum ever mined would fit in the average living room. The process for making platinum for jewelry takes 10 tons of ore and a five-month process to make just 1 ounce of platinum. Platinum is very strong and heavier than gold and will not wear away or wear down.
Palladium is an excellent choice when it comes to choosing a metal for a ring, because it has many of the same qualities as platinum but it is much cheaper. Palladium is a member of the platinum family and wasn't separated from it for a long time.
Palladium jewelry is continuing to become a popular choice for making fine jewelry. It's lightweight and has a white luster that is even brighter than platinum, believe it or not. Palladium is starting to be the new trend in jewelry and is quickly catching up to platinum. With the skyrocketing prices of Platinum choosing Palladium is a smart choice. It is a lighter natural white metal and much more affordable than platinum at any rate.
If you are environmentally aware you should look for fine and reputable jewelry stores that use recycled metals in their jewelry. Jewelry made out of recycled metals are just as beautiful and have high quality, but not harmful to the environment. A lot of our natural resources are used up mining for precious metals. Using recyclable metal is a way to spare our environment and allows you to purchase a fine piece of jewelry at the same time.
Article from DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on loose diamonds, affordable engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
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Tags: Gold, Jewelry, metal, palladium, platinum, precious, silver