Precious Metal Knowledge

Platinum

About Platinum

Platinum jewelry is very rare; in fact, 30 times rarer than gold. Platinum’s naturally white sheen will not fade or change color, making it an ultimate symbol for true and eternal love. Platinum can accentuate the sparkle and brilliance of a diamond, and at the same time hypoallergenic. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for lifelong engagement and wedding rings.

 

Density And Durability

Platinum has very high density hence high weight. A ring of platinum would be around 50% heavier when compared to a ring of gold of the same volumn. Because platinum is a naturally white metal, re-plating is unnecessary. It does not easily tarnish, chip or wear down, meanwhile it can withstand high temperature and always hold its beauty.

 

Purity

The purity of platinum used in jewelry is 90% or 95% (Pt900 or Pt950), mixing only 5-10% of other alloys. Its purity makes it naturally hypoallergenic, ideal for those with sensitive skin issues.

 

Pricing

The rarity, durability and density of platinum, in combination with its high demand, make platinum 50-70% more expensive than 18K Gold.

 

Care

Simply soak platinum in a mild solution of warm soapy water, and then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush.

To minimize scratches and other damage, store your platinum jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in the jewelry box.

As time goes by, platinum may develop a subtle patina, or tarnish. Diamania would provide professional clean and polish service at cost.

Karat Gold

About Gold (K Gold)

Gold has a remarkable heritage with extraordinary quality. For centuries, gold has symbolised wealth, sophistication and reverence. It is highly malleable and well suited to the delicate manipulation of jewellery manufacturing, but this softness also places limitations on its durability. Therefore, gold is often alloyed to increase its strength, and in the meanwhile, bring delightful tones of white, yellow or rose. The alloy ratio would also determine the gold’s purity, or karat weight.

 

Purity

99.99% or 24Karat Gold – Mostly used for traditional gold ornaments, but too soft for jewelry mounting

75.0% or 18Karat Gold – Regarded the best choice for fine jewelry due to its high strength for everyday wear

58.3% or 14Karat Gold – Mainly used on competitively priced accessories, rarely on fine jewelry

 

Color

White Gold – The silvery white apearance enhances the brilliance of jewelry, making white gold the most popular one in gold alloys. Pure gold is mixed with white metal alloys, then plated with rhodium which may wear away over time notwithstanding its hardness. Replating would be a simple process to restore whiteness.

Yellow Gold – Natural gold and color-saturated alloys combined to achieve a warm hue. The most commonly used alloys are copper with a red hue and silver featuring a green hue.

Rose Gold – An expert mixture of pure gold, copper and silver gives its signature pink hue. Rose gold has become a prevalent gold alloy nowadays.

 

Pricing

Gold jewelry pricing depends on karat weight, market value of gold, level of craftsmanship and design of each jewelry. Normally it is cheaper than Platinum, but higher than silver by almost 70 times.

 

Care

Simply soak gold jewelry in a mild solution of warm soapy water, and then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush.

To minimize scratches and other damage, store your gold jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in the jewelry box.

Gold is easily affected by chemicals such as chlorine or other cleaning products. It is recommended to remove jewelry when using chemicals to reduce daily abrasions and prolong the luster.

As time goes by, gold may develop a subtle patina, or tarnish. Diamania would provide professional clean and replating service at cost.

Silver

Sterling Silver

Silver is abundant and affordable, so it can be easily found on daily accessories.

 

Durability

Pure silver is relatively soft, very malleable, and easily damaged. Therefore it is commonly alloyed to become a more durable product.

 

Purity

Sterling silver is the most popular silver alloys among all, usually in the ratio of 92.5% silver to 7.5% copper (sometimes zinc or nickel).

 

Pricing

Normally its value is 70 times lower than gold.

 

Care

Silver should be polished regularly using specific products to keep it shiny and avoid tarnish.

Silver’s malleability means it can be scratched and chipped if not properly cared. To minimize scratches and other damage, store silver jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in the jewelry box.

Avoid exposing silver to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water.

 

Gold Vermeil

The industry standard definition of vermeil is sterling silver that is plated with 10k gold with a minimum of 2.5 microns in thickness for longwearing durability. Its price is not much difference with sterling silver.