Clutches for Less

Posts Tagged ‘precious’

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. 18K and 14K gold make up a majority of engagement rings. 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 platinum jewelry process takes 10 tons of ore and five months to make just one 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 lighter and is also a natural white metal at a much more affordable price.

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. Our supplies and natural resources are depleted when we mine 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

Platinum is regarded as a superior metal for fine jewelry and is used in many exquisite diamond engagement rings. It is 35 times more rare than gold and is naturally white. It is the strongest metal used in jewelry and is 90 to 95 percent pure. The high purity level makes it hypoallergenic and an idyllic choice for someone who has sensitive skin. Platinum is also almost twice as heavy as 14K gold which makes it very durable.

The reason Platinum is a desirable metal for making jewelry is because it is very malleable and can be formed without cracking or tearing. Once platinum prongs are bent to hold a diamond they will stay in that position and not spring back.

It takes 10 tons of ore to produce a single ounce of platinum. There is only one platinum mine for every 10 gold mines which make this metal one of the rarest. On avergae, 88 tons of platinum is used to craft jewelry every year, while gold has 2,700 tons used.

The purity of platinum is expressed as parts per thousand and the number designation represents how many parts per thousand are contained in the metal. The marks used on platinum jewelry are 900Plat, 950Plat or just Plat. Platinum is usually alloyed with metals in the platinum group which are similar in weight and chemistry to platinum.

Over the past two decades, platinum has risen back to the top of the precious metals hierarchy. It was held in high esteem during the early Egyptian times. The Spanish conquistadors discovered platinum in the New Word when they were mining for gold. The considered it worthless and discarded it. In the 18^th century King Louis XVI elevated platinum’s popularity by calling it the metal of kings.

The Art Deco Period was when platinum became popular in modern jewelry. The strength and malleability of this metal allowed artisans to create filigree and wire patterns that were popular during this period. Its regained status over the years as earned it the reputation of being the most preferred metal used in engagement rings.

Even though it is growing in popularity it still remains one of the world’s rarest metals. The yearly worldwide production of platinum only amounts to about 160 tons compared to approximately 1,500 tons of gold. One reason it is so rare is because the mining and refining process is time consuming. To extract one ounce of platinum over 10 tons of ore has to be mined. The refining process is no short matter as it takes five months minimum. There are only a handful of regions where platinum can be found and the primary source of this metal is in the mountains of Russia and South Africa.

If you love the look of platinum but can’t afford the cost. There is an alternative metal that is increasing in popularity called Palladium. It is part of the platinum metal group and is an excellent alternative to platinum. Palladium has the lowest melting point in its metal group and is extremely resistant to corrosion. It will not tarnish and is whiter and lighter than platinum. If you are in the market for an engagement ring you might want to look into Palladium for that special ring.

Article from DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on wedding ring sets, diamond 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