Choosing the Right Metal for Your Jewellery

Understanding jewellery metals

Selecting the right metal is an important part of designing or choosing a piece of jewellery. The metal you choose can influence the overall appearance, durability and cost of the finished piece.

Many factors can influence this decision, including the colour of the metal, your budget and how durable the metal is for everyday wear.

At Lorel Diamonds we offer jewellery in 9 karat and 18 karat yellow, white and rose gold, as well as Platinum 950 and Palladium 950.

Gold

Pure gold in its natural form is known as 24 karat gold. In this state it has not been mixed with any other metals.

Because pure gold is very soft, it is not suitable for most jewellery pieces. To improve its strength and durability, gold is mixed with other metals such as copper or silver to form a stronger alloy.

The karat rating of gold refers to its purity rather than its weight. This is different from carat, which is used to measure the weight of diamonds.

18 karat gold

18 karat gold contains 75% pure gold, with the remaining percentage made up of alloy metals.

It is widely regarded as an excellent choice for jewellery because it balances durability with a high gold content.

9 karat gold

9 karat gold contains 37.5% pure gold.

Because it contains a lower proportion of gold, it is typically more affordable than higher karat gold. However, it is also slightly less durable than 18 karat gold or platinum.

Gold colours

Pure gold is naturally yellow in colour. Different gold colours are created by combining gold with different alloys.

White gold

White gold is a popular choice for modern jewellery designs. It has a bright, white appearance similar to platinum.

Because gold is naturally yellow, white gold is produced by combining gold with white metals to create a pale alloy. The metal is then finished with rhodium plating, which gives white gold its bright white surface.

Over time, rhodium plating may wear and may occasionally need to be reapplied to maintain the metal’s bright finish.

Our white gold jewellery is produced without the use of nickel.

Yellow gold

Yellow gold is the traditional colour of gold jewellery and has remained popular for many years.

Its warm tone is created by combining pure gold with metals such as copper and zinc.

Yellow gold is often chosen for classic jewellery designs.

Rose gold

Rose gold has become increasingly popular in recent years, although its origins date back much further.

Rose gold is created by mixing pure gold with copper, which produces its distinctive warm pink tone.

Platinum

Platinum is one of the most sought-after metals used in fine jewellery.

It is naturally white, meaning its colour will not fade or require plating to maintain its appearance.

Platinum is also known for its durability. It is approximately four times stronger and significantly heavier than gold, making it well suited for jewellery that is worn regularly.

Platinum is considerably rarer than gold, which contributes to its higher price.

Most platinum jewellery is made using Platinum 950, which consists of 95% platinum and 5% alloy metals, often cobalt.

Palladium

Palladium has grown in popularity as an alternative to platinum.

Like platinum, palladium is naturally white and will not change colour over time. It is also lighter in weight than platinum.

Jewellery made from palladium typically uses Palladium 950, which consists of 95% palladium and 5% alloy metals, commonly ruthenium.

Platinum vs palladium

Platinum and palladium share many characteristics. Both are naturally white metals and highly durable.

The main difference between them is density. Palladium is significantly lighter than platinum.

For smaller jewellery pieces such as engagement rings, the difference in weight is often minimal. However, the weight difference can be more noticeable in larger jewellery pieces such as wider bands.

White gold vs platinum

There are several key differences between white gold and platinum.

Weight

Platinum is denser than gold, which means jewellery made from platinum will typically feel heavier.

Durability

Platinum is generally more resistant to wear than gold. Although it can develop scratches over time, these scratches usually involve metal displacement rather than metal loss.

Appearance

Platinum is naturally white, while white gold achieves its colour through alloying and rhodium plating.

Purity

Platinum jewellery is usually 95% pure, whereas 18 karat gold contains 75% pure gold.

Hallmarking

Precious metal jewellery above certain weight thresholds must be independently tested and hallmarked to confirm its purity.

In the UK the following hallmarking requirements apply:

•     Gold items over 1 gram must be hallmarked

•     Platinum items over 0.5 grams must be hallmarked

•     Palladium items over 1 gram must be hallmarked

Hallmarks confirm the authenticity and purity of the precious metal used in the jewellery.

Caring for precious metal jewellery

Looking after your jewellery properly can help maintain its appearance and condition.

To care for gold, platinum and palladium jewellery:

•     Avoid wearing jewellery while carrying out heavy or manual work

•     Store jewellery safely in a jewellery box or soft pouch when not in use

•     Keep jewellery away from harsh chemicals such as chlorine or bleach

•     Clean jewellery occasionally using warm water, mild soap and a soft brush

Following these simple steps can help preserve the beauty of your jewellery for many years.