JEWELRY METAL CHOICES
There are numerous types of metal out there from which to craft your unique jewelry. Differing metals mean differing strengths, types of maintenance and prices - among other attributes. Each will also vary in weight.
With a quick overview of each metal you can determine which is suitable for you.
Yellow Gold:
This is the most common type of gold used in diamond jewelry. It is usually alloyed with copper and silver to strengthen it. The gold content will dictate how yellow the piece is. Generally, 18k gold has a deeper yellow than 9k and so on.
White Gold:
White gold has become quite fashionable in recent years. It has the same properties as yellow gold but is mixed with different alloys that give it its white color. It is plated with an even whiter metal called rhodium to enhance its appearance. General wear, polishing or buffing will eventually result in the rhodium plating wearing off. This is normal for white gold. To maintain this, we advise you have it periodically polished and rhodium-plated. This will help it to look like new again.
Platinum:
Generally 95% pure (18k gold is 75% pure), platinum does not fade or tarnish. Its purity makes it hypoallergenic & ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Silver:
Silver will tarnish over time. Regular cleaning and polishing will restore the original look of silver. Gentle rubbing with a polishing cloth will restore its brilliance and make it look like new again. Silver is a soft precious metal so re-adjusting of clasps and fittings may be required. You should treat clasps, links and stems on earrings with particular care.
Tungsten:
Tungsten is a resilient metal made to last a lifetime and shows little signs of wear. Hypoallergenic, this heavy metal is very brilliant due to its tough and enduring qualities.
Titanium:
A popular choice for its strength and durability, titanium is lightweight and hypoallergenic. This makes it a great choice for athletes or those with sensitive skin.
Cobalt Chromium:
This is a new element to the alternative metal industry. Its platinum look differentiates it from both tungsten and titanium. It is more scratch resistant than titanium but less than tungsten. Cobalt bands will not chip or crack. It is also lightweight and hypoallergenic.
Ceramic:
This is a space age, metal-like product but it is not a metal. It has been used in things like jets and on the space station. It has the same basic hardness and durability as tungsten and both have a greater hardness than titanium. It is very durable and long lasting but it will exhibit wear and tear at some point.
Black Titanium:
Black Titanium is an alloy which experiences atomic transformation at the molecular level to become ceramic hard. Exposure to heat turns the titanium black from the outside in. It possesses the same benefits as grey titanium but provides a rich, clean, distinctive black look to the metal that will not chip away. It is hypoallergenic and extraordinarily biocompatible. It is extremely scratch resistant as well.
With a quick overview of each metal you can determine which is suitable for you.
Yellow Gold:
This is the most common type of gold used in diamond jewelry. It is usually alloyed with copper and silver to strengthen it. The gold content will dictate how yellow the piece is. Generally, 18k gold has a deeper yellow than 9k and so on.
White Gold:
White gold has become quite fashionable in recent years. It has the same properties as yellow gold but is mixed with different alloys that give it its white color. It is plated with an even whiter metal called rhodium to enhance its appearance. General wear, polishing or buffing will eventually result in the rhodium plating wearing off. This is normal for white gold. To maintain this, we advise you have it periodically polished and rhodium-plated. This will help it to look like new again.
Platinum:
Generally 95% pure (18k gold is 75% pure), platinum does not fade or tarnish. Its purity makes it hypoallergenic & ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Silver:
Silver will tarnish over time. Regular cleaning and polishing will restore the original look of silver. Gentle rubbing with a polishing cloth will restore its brilliance and make it look like new again. Silver is a soft precious metal so re-adjusting of clasps and fittings may be required. You should treat clasps, links and stems on earrings with particular care.
Tungsten:
Tungsten is a resilient metal made to last a lifetime and shows little signs of wear. Hypoallergenic, this heavy metal is very brilliant due to its tough and enduring qualities.
Titanium:
A popular choice for its strength and durability, titanium is lightweight and hypoallergenic. This makes it a great choice for athletes or those with sensitive skin.
Cobalt Chromium:
This is a new element to the alternative metal industry. Its platinum look differentiates it from both tungsten and titanium. It is more scratch resistant than titanium but less than tungsten. Cobalt bands will not chip or crack. It is also lightweight and hypoallergenic.
Ceramic:
This is a space age, metal-like product but it is not a metal. It has been used in things like jets and on the space station. It has the same basic hardness and durability as tungsten and both have a greater hardness than titanium. It is very durable and long lasting but it will exhibit wear and tear at some point.
Black Titanium:
Black Titanium is an alloy which experiences atomic transformation at the molecular level to become ceramic hard. Exposure to heat turns the titanium black from the outside in. It possesses the same benefits as grey titanium but provides a rich, clean, distinctive black look to the metal that will not chip away. It is hypoallergenic and extraordinarily biocompatible. It is extremely scratch resistant as well.
