Gemstones are all attractive and symbolise many things. However, there’s just something about turning lovely gemstones into jewellery. Aside from the fact that you can wear them whenever, wherever you want them, the addition of precious metals contributes a lot to the overall look of the jewellery.
Many precious metals are commonly used in making jewellery, but sometimes, people get confused when choosing the right metal. So whether you’re buying ready-made jewellery or designing one, you should understand the differences between precious metals before making decisions.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most used precious metals in jewellery to help you choose which one you should pick.
1. Gold: The Classic Choice
Gold is one of the most popular metals used in making jewellery and other luxurious items. Gold’s value is measured by carats, although the 24-carat gold is the purest, it’s not recommended for everyday use as it’s too fragile and soft. Instead, other recommended purity levels that you should try to choose from your jewellery are 10K, 14K, and 18K.
Gold has three common colours namely:
Yellow Gold. A mixture of pure gold, copper, and silver. Mixing gold with other metals can increase its strength, and still maintain its natural colour.
White Gold. If you have sensitive skin, white gold is the ideal metal for you. It’s a combination of gold, palladium, silver, or nickel.
Rose Gold. To achieve its blush finish, yellow gold is mixed with copper. Aside from achieving a romantic colour, it also adds durability and scratch-resistant factors.
2. Silver: The Versatile Metal
Another popular precious metal used in making jewellery is silver. However, silver is known to be less expensive than gold since it’s also less rare and less precious. In addition, it’s softer than gold, which is why it needs to be mixed with other precious metals to last long.
Meanwhile, there are two types of silver— sterling and fine.
Sterling silver already has additional metals, such as copper to create a more durable metal. In this case, pure silver is around 92%, and more than 7% is the other metal. On the other hand, fine silver is 99.9% silver, which may not be ideal for everyday jewellery, but you can also use it for stud earrings and other jewellery with minimal designs.
3. Platinum: Luxurious Choice
Platinum is another luxurious precious metal used in making jewellery. It’s even rarer than gold, which is why it’s considered one of the most sought-after precious metals for expensive jewellery.
Aside from jewellery, platinum is also used for other purposes, including in industrial applications. Since platinum never oxidises, its weight remains the same. It’s mined in the US, Russia, and Africa.
As for jewellery, if you would like your engagement ring to become an heirloom, you can use platinum. For instance, if you choose Argyle pink diamonds and platinum, it can be the perfect combination for an engagement ring that’s guaranteed to last forever.
4. Palladium: Modern and Minimalist
In recent years, palladium has become popular due to its practicality and appeal. As it’s from the platinum family, so it has the same durability. If you’re looking for a wedding metal band, or you’re just a minimalist when it comes to jewellery, palladium can be your go-to metal. Besides, palladium is lighter, so even if you use it for jewellery with a busy design.
5. Rhodium: Layer of Sparkles
Although rhodium isn’t used as the main metal in making jewellery, it usually serves as a coating for silver and gold to enhance their shine. So, if you’re looking for something to improve the reflectivity and shine of your jewellery, you may opt to add rhodium.
Similar to palladium, rhodium also belongs to the platinum family. So, aside from the sparkle, it adds another layer of durability and protection to your jewellery.
6. Other Notable Metals
Aside from the five metals mentioned above, there are other metals used in jewellery making. Although they’re not as rare and precious as the others, these are still worth mentioning:
- Titanium. Used in modern jewellery, especially for men’s accessories. It’s lightweight, hypoallergenic, and scratch-resistant.
- Tungsten. It’s also known as “wolfram”, tungsten is even harder and scratch-resistant than titanium. You usually see rings made from it, but other jewellery can also be made of tungsten.
- Copper. One of the metals that have been used to strengthen gold and other soft metals. When used alone, copper is usually integrated with bohemian and other ethnic styles.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning to start collecting jewellery or trying to have a custom-made one, knowing and understanding the different precious metals you can pair with your stones, like Argyle pink diamonds, is essential in making informed decisions.
If you want to share your favourite precious metals and gemstones, and the story behind your discoveries, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aliana Baraquio is currently writing for Musson Jewellers Australia, a rare and enduring jewellery design business that has been providing the finest jewellery for over 40 years in Sydney. Her free time is composed of her phone and new comics to read.
