​
METAL
Discover the exceptional characteristics of numerous precious metals and determine which ones are ideally suited for various types of jewellery.
GOLD
Element: Au
Moh's Hardness: 2.5 – 3
Colour: Yellow (can be alloyed to make white and rose gold)
Anniversary: 50th
​
18ct gold is more robust than 9ct for everyday use. This explains why 18ct gold is frequently the go-to for wedding jewellery.
YELLOW GOLD
When producing 18ct yellow gold, 75% pure gold (750 parts per thousand) is mixed with 25% (250 parts per thousand) of other metals like copper, zinc, and silver. For 14ct yellow gold, the pure gold is 58.5% (585 parts per thousand), while 9ct yellow gold has 37.5% (375 parts per thousand) pure gold and a higher proportion of other ingredients—the purer gold, the more yellow the colour.
​
WHITE GOLD
White gold is an alloy of gold and other white metals such as silver and palladium. When it comes to engagement rings, 18ct white gold is the preferred choice as it is more robust than 9ct. To make it appear whiter, white gold is initially coated with Rhodium. Rhodium plating should be redone every 12-18 months to maintain the ring's appearance.
ROSE GOLD
Rose gold is an alloy of gold and copper with a reddish hue. It's also known as pink or red gold. Rose gold typically comprises 75% gold and 25% copper. The copper content affects the strength of the red colour. Since it's an alloy, there's no such thing as "pure rose gold".
Platinum
Platinum
Element: Pt
Moh's Hardness: 3.5
Colour: Pale grey/silver
Anniversary: 70th
Platinum, a white metal, is often used in jewellery in its nearly pure form, with a purity of around 95%. Platinum is a sturdy and resilient white metal and is notably heavier than 18-carat gold. Unlike white gold, it does not require Rhodium plating but can also be more susceptible to scratches through daily wear. With periodic maintenance by a jeweller, scratches can be removed.
Silver
Element: Ag
Moh's Hardness: 2.5 - 3
Colour: Grey
Anniversary: 25th
Although silver is more affordable than other metals for earrings, bracelets, and dress rings, however, there are better metal choices for long-term daily wear, particularly for wedding bands. Additionally, silver tends to oxidise, causing it to blacken over time. Such oxides can be removed with a soft cloth and a cleaning product like Silvo. See Jewellery Maintenance
Titanium
Element: Ti
Moh’s Hardness: 6
Colour: Silver / grey
Titanium is an excellent option if you need a sturdy and lightweight metal. It is hypoallergenic, making it safe for individuals with metal allergies. It is essential to note that titanium rings cannot be resized, as the metal cannot be soldered.
