Precious Metal Facts
About Gold
Pure gold (fine gold) is softer than pure silver but harder than tin. Its beauty and luster are unmatched by any alloyed golds. The extreme malleability, ductility, and softness of pure gold make it practically useless for jewelry applications. Alloying elements (other metals) are added to gold to increase the toughness and hardness of the gold alloy. While almost any metal can be alloyed (melted) with gold, only certain metals will not dramatically change the color or make the metal brittle. The addition of indium, for instance, turns gold purple and gives gold alloy the workability of glass.
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Over time, certain percentages of gold have become legally recognized "karats." The karat indicates the amount of gold as a percentage of the total, i.e. 24 karat is 100 percent gold. Thus 14 karat is 14/24 gold or 58.33 percent gold. Gold standards vary around the world. In the United States, 24, 22, 18, 14, and 10 karat gold are the only karats allowed to be sold as karated gold.
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In karated gold, there is a known proportion of metals in the non-gold percentage. These metals provide the various colors and hardness of karated golds. Typical alloying elements and their color effect are:
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Gold Bars
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Copper Reddening
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Silver Greening
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Zinc Bleaching
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Nickel Whitening
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Palladium Whitening
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Examples of the compositions of different colors are:
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Yellow: Gold, copper, silver, zinc
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White: Gold, copper, nickel (or palladium), zinc
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Red: Gold, copper
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Green: Gold, silver
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Adjusting the proportions of base metals (non-precious metals) provides the array of colors on the market. They also enhance properties such as castability, grain size, hardness, corrosion resistance, workability, ultimate strength, and ductility. These additions can dramatically change the properties of the karated gold for better or worse.
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Knowing how the additions will affect the karated gold greatly enhances the possibility of a superior final product. In deep drawing of metals, it is important to have a metal which will elongate or stretch a great deal before fracturing, thus high ductility. The requirement for an earring post would be a high tensile strength (a great deal of force needed to get the material to permanently deform or bend). It is imperative to select the proper karated composition for the desired application.
About Platinum
Platinum is a naturally occurring metal with a striking white color - Its composition includes 95-98% pure platinum, 1-2% ruthenium or iridium, and small amounts of other metals - This unique composition gives platinum exceptional durability and hypoallergenic properties - As a result, platinum is a highly sought-after choice for jewelry, particularly engagement rings - Additionally, its strength and resistance to tarnishing make it an excellent option for everyday wear.
Platinum is a precious metal that is highly valued for its rarity, durability, and beauty. It is often used in the creation of fine jewelry due to its strength and resistance to tarnishing. Platinum comes in different grades and qualities, with the most common being 950 parts per thousand pure platinum. This high level of purity makes it an ideal choice for jewelry that is meant to last a lifetime.
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PLANTINUM ALLOYS:
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Pt950/Ruthenium (Ru) is the best choice for multipurpose use. It is ideal for machining and fabrication. Casting will deliver good results.
Pt950/Cobalt (Co) has a very fine grain and is ideal for casting. It is slightly Ferro-magnetic and oxidizes at about 1,000ËšC. The oxidation can be easily removed.
90/10 Platinum/Iridium (Pt/Ir) is a comprehensive platinum alloy. It can be used for all applications but is best suited for fabrication.
About Silver
Fine silver is a variety of silver that is renowned for its exceptional purity level of 99.9%. This type of silver is commonly utilized in the creation of jewelry and silverware due to its high level of purity, which ensures that the final product is of the highest quality. Additionally, fine silver is known for its malleability, which makes it easy to shape and mold into intricate designs. When it comes to grading fine silver, it is typically evaluated based on its weight and purity, which are the two most important factors that determine its overall quality.
Sterling silver jewelry is a type of jewelry that has been popular for centuries and continues to be a favorite among many people today. is a metal that is known for its timeless beauty and versatility, making it a great choice for any occasion. The composition of sterling silver is made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, such as copper or zinc, which gives it its strength and durability. This combination of metals also helps to prevent tarnishing, ensuring that your sterling silver jewelry will look beautiful for years to come. Whether you're looking for bold statement piece or a delicate accessory, sterling silver jewelry is a great option that will never go out of style.
About Palladium
THE VALUE OF PLATINUM. THE COST OF GOLD.
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950 Palladium is a Platinum Group Metal (PGM) and is an enhanced 95% palladium alloy. It achieves the look and benefits of platinum at half the weight and at a more affordable price. This strong alloy will not tarnish and like X1 white gold®, and it requires no rhodium plating to retain its bright white color. It will never lose metal weight when polished and is formulated to have the hardness of 14K gold. Palladium is also hypoallergenic and lead-free.
CHARACTERISTICS
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European-friendly (contains no nickel)
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Grade 1 bright white metal (No rhodium plating required)
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Tarnish resistant
BENEFITS
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Premium white color that lasts
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Suitable for casting and fabrication processes
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Good resistance to cracking when investment cast
Rhodium Metal & Plating
Rhodium is a highly valued and scarce metal that is frequently utilized to plate jewelry. It belongs to the platinum group of metals and is renowned for its robustness and ability to resist tarnishing. Rhodium plating is a favored option for jewelry because it provides a lustrous and gleaming finish, while also safeguarding the metal from scratches and wear. If you're seeking to enhance the shine of your jewelry collection, rhodium plating is an excellent choice.
White Gold jewelry is a beautiful and popular choice for many people, but it may require some extra care and maintenance to keep it looking its best. Over time, the metal may become scratched or dull, which can detract from its natural shine and luster. To restore the piece to its original beauty, rhodium plating may be necessary. This process involves applying a thin layer of rhodium, a precious metal that is highly reflective and durable, to the surface of the jewelry. With proper care and maintenance, your White Gold jewelry can continue to look stunning for years to come.