A Guide To Metals
Platinum
Eternally white, naturally enduring and 30 times more rare than gold, platinum is ideal for anyone looking for a truly unique and timeless metal.
Platinum engagement rings offer the durability and strength to protect your center diamond throughout the years. While platinum is similar to white gold in appearance, it is naturally white so it does not need re-plating. Platinum will retain its shine for generations, allowing your jewelry to become precious family heirlooms.
Its non-reactive, hypoallergenic qualities make it an excellent choice of metal for those with skin sensitivity. Over time, platinum develops a stunning finish, or patina, that further protects the setting on a ring.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold offers a warm glow. Pure gold is too soft to hold its shape in fine jewelry, so it’s alloyed with other precious jewelry metals for strength. Look for “14k” or “18k” as a fineness mark that proves the quality of your gold jewelry. Among fine metals, gold tends to be more malleable, so prongs in a gold engagement ring should be checked each year.
White Gold
Some people prefer the color of silver to the yellow color of normal gold, yet may find silver to be too soft or easily tarnished, and the cost of platinum prohibitive. While white gold contains varying amounts of gold, which is naturally yellow, it also contains one or more white metals to lighten its color and add strength and durability. Although most people think white gold is a shiny white metal, its color is actually from the rhodium metal plating that is applied to all white gold jewelry.
Rose Gold
Palladium
Sterling Silver
Silver can be seen as contemporary or traditional depending on the design. It complements most skin tones, making it a safe and popular purchase. Because pure silver is very soft and malleable, jewelers use sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver, mixed with other metals, such as copper, to form an alloy. Since silver can tarnish, gently cleaning it with a polish and cloth will keep it looking immaculate.