Gold
Gold is a rare precious metal of great beauty, value, and weight. In its pure state, measured as 24 karats, it is too soft to be worked for jewelry. Alloy metals are melded with pure gold to create harder substances and colors like white gold, rose, and pink gold. Gold is the most non-reactive of all metals, and it does not oxidize under ordinary conditions, meaning that it will never rust and never tarnish.
- Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is usually alloyed with silver and copper. Depending on the karat gold (14K, 18K, or 22K) and the varying alloy combinations, the color of yellow gold may vary from a softer yellow to a bright rich yellow.
- White Gold
White gold is harder than yellow gold and has a bright white color. It is most commonly alloyed with a high percentage of silver, palladium, and nickel or a mixture of other white precious metals.
Platinum
Platinum is an extremely rare metal, even rarer than gold. Due to its rarity, it is also an expensive metal, and it has only been found in a few locations worldwide.
Platinum is a strong, dense, hypoallergenic metal. Platinum is harder than gold and very durable, which makes it ideal for use in jewelry. Platinum is an alloyed group of six heavy metals, including platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium.
Platinum Vs Gold
Since platinum jewelry contains very little alloy, it is a good choice for those who are sensitive to metals or alloyed gold. Platinum is a very dense and heavy metal, so a platinum ring will feel heavier than a gold ring. White gold naturally has a yellowish tint, so all white gold pieces are plated with a metal called rhodium. Like all metals, the rhodium can wear away over time. Depending on the frequency of wear, white gold pieces must be rhodium plated by a professional to restore the original bright white finish. Platinum, over a long period of time, can develop a dull finish from everyday wear. These pieces must also be brought to a professional to be polished smooth again.
Silver
Silver has been known and used for thousands of years and is considered one of the three precious metals along with gold and platinum. In its pure form, silver is a very soft metal. Although it is harder than gold, it must be alloyed with harder metals for the use in jewelry.
Mexico is the world's largest silver producer, contributing 15% of the total silver production. Silver is also produced in Canada, Peru, Australia, and the United States.
Sterling Silver
A mixture of 92.5% of pure silver and 7.5% of copper is known as sterling silver. Sterling silver pieces are often stamped 925.