Gold, Gold, Gold!

There are a variety of metals choices available for jewelry. Whether you like the allure of platinum or the range of options with the classic gold, you will find a number of stylish pieces, sometimes even combining the two metals!

Platinum

Platinum is generally 95% pure and does not tarnish or lose its rich white luster. Platinum is the heaviest of all the precious metals weighing approximately twice as much as karat gold. Its purity makes it hypoallergenic, perfect for people who are sensitive to the alloys used in gold. Platinum is also known for its strength and pliability, just one gram of platinum can be drawn into a fine wire over one mile long.

Gold

Pure 24 karat gold is rarely used in jewelry because it is too soft for frequent wear. Gold is mixed with alloys like copper, silver, nickel, and zinc to give different colors, strength, and durability. Gold's purity is measured in karats, which indicate out of 24 parts how many parts are gold. For example, 18kt gold contains 18/24 gold and 6/24 alloy, while 14kt gold contains 14/24 gold and 10/24 alloy. Gold is traditionally seen in yellow and white colors, but can also be available in rose or green on occasion.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is usually 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Silver is much more plentiful than platinum or gold and is much less expensive. It takes on a much higher polish than any other metal, but it does tarnish. The tarnish can be removed, but silver requires much more care than other metals.

Titanium

Titanium is a light, strong, and corrosion-resistant metal. Titanium offers you seven times the strength of platinum at about 1/3 of the weight. It is the hardest natural metal on earth and therefore offers more scratch resistance than gold or silver. In addition, titanium is also hypoallergenic. When ordering titanium rings, be extra sure about your ring size. The biggest drawback of titanium rings is that they cannot be sized by traditional ring sizing methods.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a low cost alternative to traditional metals. It is naturally hypoallergenic and will not rust or tarnish. Stainless Steel will not break or bend under normal usage and is stronger than any other alloy.

Damascus Steel

Damascus Steel involves an ancient sword-making technique from the Middle East. Our suppliers alternate two types of Stainless Steel, twist them together by hand, and fold them into a circle. Thus, each ring they design is unique.

Cobalt Chrome

Cobalt has a similar look to platinum, with great strength and light weight. Because of its temperature stability, cobalt alloys are often used in engine turbines and surgical implants.

Zirconium

Zirconium is utilized in nuclear reactors and explosive wartime applications. It is very resistant to decay and heat. While most commonly mined from South Africa and Australia, zirconium has also been found in meteorites and moon rocks. It is naturally a silver grey color with a darker oxidized layer.

Meteorite

Meteorite pieces often contain varied rock and metal pieces from outer space. They have grooved latticed patterns formed as the meteors cooled over millions of years on the Earth’s surface. Because of this, each ring formed from this metal will be different.

Karat

Karat is a measure of finess-24karat is fine gold. One karat equal 1/24 (.0417). This, 14 karat gold is 14/24th fine gold and 10/24th alloy. The alloy metals are silver, copper, and zinc. Nickel is used in white gold.

Karat System

% of Gold    Gold Present    Mark on Jewelry    European Mark
100.00          24Karats           24K                            999
91.7                22Karats           22K                            917
75.0               18Karats            18K                            750
58.5               14Karats            14K                             585
41.6                10Karats           10K                             416

Yellow, green, red, and white-are produced by variations in the alloy. Silver and zinc tend to give a green color, copper gives a red color and nickel gives a white color.

Gold filled is made from joining or bonding a top layer of gold alloy to a base metal alloy and then rolling it or drawing it to the thickness required. The gold content is usually less than 5% when you see something labeled 1/20th or 12kt G>G> This means that 1/20of the item (5%) is only 12kt gold. We cannot take it apart to use or melt.

Gold Electroplate

Gold Electroplate is usually made by electrically depositing fine gold on a base metal like brass.

Gold Solders

Gold solders are usually 2-4Karats less than the gold on which it is being used, unless the solder is said to be plumb.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is 925/1000 (92 1/2%fine)fine silver and 75/1000 (7 1/2%) copper.

Vermeil

Vermeil is sterling silver which has a gold plating over the surface. The gold can be electroplated or mechanically bonded, as long as the gold is 150 micro inches thick.

Coin Silver

Coin Silver is 900/1000 (90%) fine silver, and 100/1000 (10%) copper. The same alloy is used for American Silver Coins

Commercial Silver

Commercial Silver is 999 fine or higher. As close to absolute silver as can be

Nickel Silver

Nickel Silver actually contains NO silver at all. It contains nickel, copper and zinc.

Pewter

Pewter originally was a lead alloy. It is now made in tin, copper, antimony.