All that Glitters is not (necessarily) Gold – A precious metals primer
At some jewelry stores making an informed decision can really test your mettle. Some have high-pressure sales people who don’t really seem to know much more about jewelry than you do – but that doesn’t stop them from wanting to sell you something, anything – preferably RIGHT NOW.
Other so-called “jewelers” can hardly be called a “jewelry store” at all. If you can buy an electric drill, or pick up a gallon of milk…well, wherever it is that you are shopping for jewelry, you are NOT in a jewelry store.
Jewelryfinest.com has an amazing selection of jewelry and watches, offering popular jewelry, like - diamond ring, necklaces, rings , earrings, gemstones, pearls and precious metals (silver, gold and platinum) and many more ...Whether you're shopping for yourself or buying a gift, you certainly can't go wrong here !
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to learn about the different metals we use to turn an element on the Periodic Table into a stunning, wearable work of art.
From Ancient Egypt to the Maya people of the Yucatan peninsula, for almost as long as there have been people around to treasure it, gold has represented love, mystery, and spirituality. Once you choose gold as the foundation for your wedding jewelry, there are a few more decisions to make…
This is the type of gold that is most often used, and the type most folks think of when they hear the word “Gold.” Since “pure” gold would be too soft to hold a shape for long, it is alloyed, or blended with traces of other metals to lend it added strength. Yellow gold is alloyed with silver and/or copper.
This type of gold is so named because, well, it is whiter than yellow gold due to the fact that it’s alloyed with higher percentages of nickel or palladium. White gold can also contain other white metals.
Rose gold is simply a gold that is alloyed with a touch more copper which gives it a reddish – or rose tint. Also referred to as red or pink gold, rose gold also usually contains traces of silver.
First of all, green gold isn’t actually green. This type of gold is 18 to 14 carats and is alloyed with different percentages of silver, zinc, or cadmium.
Not a new metal but relatively new to the jewelry scene is
palladium. It is in the platinum family of metals and is also used in
its pure form and right now falls in a price range between gold and
platinum. Look for much more jewelry to be made from it in the
future.
No one precious metal is better than any other – It’s just a matter of personal preference and taste. But a hit record goes gold when it sells 500,000 copies - when it sells a million it goes Platinum!
Platinum has become increasing popular recently – largely because its unique luster enhances the brilliance of diamonds better than gold.
Of all the precious metals used to craft jewelry, platinum is the only one that is used in its purest form – up to 90% to 95% pure. Platinum is also hypoallergenic and is very tarnish-resistant.
When shopping for platinum, look for jewelry pieces that are marked 900Pt, 950 Plat., or Plat.
Silver is probably the most worn of all the precious metals. Its timeless, understated elegance and beauty have been cherished and admired for millennia. But not only is silver the most popular precious metal it is also one of the most imitated ones. The savvy shopper is wise to consider a few tips before saying “High Ho, Silver!”
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