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The breakdown on Metals
- by Mark Wildman
Often you'll see small numbers stamped into your jewellery. Simply, this indicates the metal quality. Metal types include:
Sterling silver * 9 carat gold * 14 carat gold * 18 carat gold * Platinum * Palladium * Stainless steel * Titanium
These are then mixed with other alloys to form their colour. Rose gold for example is mixed with parts of copper to create a pink or rose colour.
White gold, palladium and sometimes silver are rhodium plated before completion of a product. This is a platinum based solution which the metal is dipped into. A current is then sent through the liquid and the metal, which causes the solution to adhere to the piece. This keeps white metals looking their best.
We recommend doing this annually to keep your jewellery looking good as new. This process removes the scratches and brings the piece back to white when its starting to look a bit dull.
We work in all metals, although we prefer to work in Sterling silver, 9 carat gold, 18 carat gold and platinum. The reason for this is that these metals are able to be reworked by jewellers, allowing ease of repair. We can also work in Stainless Steel, Palladium and Titanium if requested.
See the below table for details on each of the metals
|
Stainless Steel |
Often used in men’s jewellery, this metal has an extremely high melting point, making it difficult to work in. It is quite a hard metal and does NOT tarnish. |
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Titanium |
Light and durable, titanium also has a high melting point, making it hard to work in. It is mostly used in men’s jewellery, due to its blue/grey colour. |
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Sterling Silver |
925 – Meaning there is 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver is silver mixed with other alloys, (or metal components) to make it harder. Sterling silver is still quite soft. |
|
9 carat |
375 – This meaning there is 375 parts of gold in 1000 parts of metal. 9ct is mixed with other alloys to form their colour. 9ct is harder than other higher qualities of gold, due to the alloys it is combined with. |
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10 carat |
416 - Meaning 416 parts of gold in 1000 parts total. 10ct is often seen in American Jewellery, it is less commonly used else ware. |
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14 carat |
585 - Meaning 585 parts of gold in 1000 parts total. Also often used in older pieces from America and Europe. |
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18 carat |
750 - Meaning 750 parts Gold in 1000 Parts total. We will most commonly work in this metal. |
|
22 carat |
916- Meaning 916 parts Gold in 1000 Parts Total. Often jewellery from the Middle east, Europe and India will be in this metal |
|
24 carat |
1000 / 24ct – Pure gold Very soft metal. |
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Palladium |
550, 950 or 999 - Similar to platinum, it is a white metal. We don’t often work in it. Although it is available as an alternative to platinum. |
|
Platinum |
PLAT / 950 - 95% pure platinum A very hard, dense metal often used in English or European Jewellery. It has a high melting point, making it hard but not impossible to work on. |
