What is better, platinum, white gold, or yellow gold? What is rhodium, and is it permanent? What are the new jewelry metals: titanium, stainless steel, and tungsten?
All have their pros and cons, with aspects that can appeal to all of us. Learning about their differences will help you understand their various attributes.
1. Platinum
2. Yellow Gold
3. White Gold
4. Gold Filled
5. Gold Plated
6. Vermeil
7. Silver
8. Titanium
9. Stainless Steel
10.Tungsten
Each metal has a special look. Some like the white with their skin tone while others say that yellow will never go out of style. No one can say what the best metal is, except you.
Platinum
Platinum is a "white" toned metal that is usually pure. If it is 950 parts per thousand or more, it is considered pure. If it is lower, it is an alloy. Most Platinum onsite is 950 Platinum. Platinum is a denser metal then gold, making it more durable and heavier. Platinum will scratch easier than gold, but the metal does not wear or chip away. Platinum is considerably more rare than gold and therefore more valuable. It will always have a worn or "antique" look from daily wear and tear, which some people prefer. It can be taken to a jeweler and polished to a bright finish for those who like the shine.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is classic. Although in its purest form it is usually too soft for jewelry. Therefore, we add other metals and alloy it to make it hard enough to fashion into wearable jewelry. The type of metal alloyed with the gold will determine what color or tone the gold will be. There are all types of gold tones, the most popular being yellow but also white, pink or rose, green, and even blue.
Gold is measured in karat weight, often abbreviated kt or simply K. 24k is the purest form of gold being 100. There is also 18K = 75, 14K = 58.3, and 10K = 41.7.
White Gold
White Gold is actually yellow gold mixed with white toned alloys to give it the silver appearance. Because gold is naturally yellow, white gold does have a slight tint of yellow to it. To give it the bright shiny white finish we all know, all white gold is rhodium plated. This is a process that is done electrically and actually fuses to the gold. This plating does not chip off but does wear over time. It can be, and is recommended, that you have your white gold rhodium plated anytime you want to have it look new again.
Gold Filled
Looking just like solid gold, Gold-Filled is actually bonding a thin layer of gold over a brass core. The gold covers the brass surface, which prevents tarnishing, and is a far thicker layer than gold plated components. Even though the gold content is thicker it is not all the way through and therefore must be stated as gold filled.
Gold Plated
Gold plating is a layer of gold, 10kt or more, over a base metal. This process is done by flashing or dipping in the gold. It is not bonded like gold filled or rhodium plating. Gold plating has the potential to wear or chip off but has the same look as solid gold at a lower cost. A lot of watches are gold plated for this very fact. It would be hard for most people to afford a solid gold watch.
Vermeil
Vermeil is the same process as gold plating but the inside is silver not base metal. Wearing off or chipping may occur in these types of items also. No matter how thick the layer of gold is it must clearly state that it is gold plated or vermeil.
Silver
Silver is also a soft metal and is commonly alloyed with other metals to make it harder. For silver to be sterling silver it must be 92.5 silver and less then 7.5 other metal.
Titanium
The metal Titanium is its own element. It is not mixed with anything else or alloyed. Titanium is the hardest metal known and cannot be sized. This feature makes it great for watches that are worn constantly. It has a slightly darker shade than white gold or platinum. The surface can be scratched and brushed or it can be polished and buffed to a high shine.
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is an alloy metal that has at least 10 Chromium to make it less susceptible to oxidation (rusting). Other metals are added to make it harder and more durable. Because of the hypo-allergenic properties and high resistance to corrosion it is used in many medical instruments and is a great metal for body jewelry. Stainless steel has a darker tone than Silver.
Tungsten
Tungsten Carbide is a much heavier and denser metal than Silver and Titanium. Tungsten is an element that is mixed with carbon and a few other trace elements to form a powder. It is then compressed with high temperatures and pressure into a mold. After this process, it is finished with diamond tooling. Tungsten is the hottest new look in fashion jewelry.
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