Each of the precious metals we offer has its own unique properties that make it especially well-suited for jewelry. Here are just a few popular metals that are used in today's fine jewelry.
Platinum
Platinum is the rarest metal, making it considerably more expensive than even pure gold. Eighty-five tons of platinum is mined annually, compared to 1,500 tons of gold. Ten tons of ore must be mined to produce one ounce of platinum. Platinum is the purest metal. Platinum is the only precious metal used in fine jewelry that can be 95% pure. Small amounts of iridium and ruthenium (a metal from the platinum family) are commonly added to platinum. The stamp will read PLAT , PT or 950. Platinum's purity makes it the only truly hypoallergenic metal.
Platinum is also the strongest metal. It weighs 60% more than gold and has a high resistance to heat. It is very dense and extremely resistant to wear. Although platinum will still scratch just like any precious metal, the scratches do not represent material loss.
Gold
Although gold is not nearly as rare as platinum, it is equally as desirable. Gold is naturally yellow and can be found in a number of different purities. The purest form of gold is 24-karat, but this is seldom seen in rings because it is too soft for setting a diamond. Most commonly, 14-karat and 18-karat gold are used. When we talk about the different "karats" of gold we are referring to the degree to which the gold is mixed with other metals. For example, an alloy (a mix of metals) of 14 parts gold and ten parts other metal would be 14-karat gold. The more "other metal" used in the process, the stronger the gold. The varied "colors" of gold are the result of specific alloys that have been developed to change gold from its natural color. Different colors are achieved by adding different alloys. For example, white gold is made by adding nickel and zinc and rose gold is made by adding copper.
What is Rose Gold?
You've almost definitely seen rose gold jewelry, and you might even prefer it to the other tones of gold. But what you might not know is what rose gold is made from and what sets it apart from the other styles of gold.
Rose gold is an alloy made from a combination of pure gold and copper. The blend of the two metals changes the color of the final product and its karat. For example, the most common alloy of rose gold is 75 percent pure gold to 25 percent copper, which makes 18k rose gold. Changing the percentage of one metal in the alloy will change the karat.
Usually, a direct combination of copper and gold will create a robust reddish color. But, a small amount of silver can also be added to create a milder rose—with a little more silver added to create a variant of rose gold called “pink gold.”
Once considered the preserve of 19th century Russian aristocrats, the beauty and organic grace of rose gold is now available to everyone, and in the 21st century, it's roaring back to preeminence as one of the most popular gold tones for bridal and fashion jewelry.
Compared to yellow and white gold, rose gold comes with a few pros and cons. The first “pro,” of course is the beautiful color, which may be reason enough for you to choose rose gold jewelry. Also, pure gold is a very soft and scratchable material, and when it's alloyed, it gains durability to resist damage. Rose gold, thanks to its high copper content, is far more durable than yellow gold.
However, a few things should be kept in mind when you're purchasing a rose gold setting. Rose gold is not hypoallergenic, so if you're sensitive to copper, rose gold may not be right for you. Also, copper is more prone to separation and oxidation than other alloy metals, so if your ring is heated improperly, the gold and copper may separate somewhat in your jewelry. Also, the pink gold variant is softer than yellow or white gold, so if your jewelry is prone to being knocked around, delicate pink gold may not be an ideal choice.
Still, if you know your lifestyle and have a quality jeweler to maintain your pieces properly, there are few choices of jewelry more contemporary and beautiful than the blushing beauty of rose gold, and we encourage our customers to give the precious metal a closer look.
Silver
Long valued as a precious metal, silver has been used as currency, jewelry, and ornamentation for hundreds of years. A soft, malleable metal, silver is slightly harder than gold and has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal. One of the most popular forms of silver for jewelry is sterling silver. This is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Silver jewelry is often plated with a fine layer of .999 fine silver to give it a bright, lustrous finish. Rhodium plating is also commonly used to brighten the look of silver jewelry. Silver tends to tarnish and requires regular maintenance to maintain an optimum look.
Why Shop at BENARI JEWELERS?
For over 50 years, BENARI JEWELERS has bringing the highest quality choices of rose gold bridal and fashion jewelry to its community. If you're interested in what we have to offer, don't hesitate to contact us at 866-363-0808 or stop by our Exton and Newtown Square, Pennsylvania showrooms today to ask about finding the right rose gold piece for you!
