Metal Guide

 
More and more, jewelry is being set in a wider variety of metals. While gold is still easily the most popular, other metals are used more often in fine jewelry than ever before.
 

The standard measurement of gold is the Karat, which is divided into 24 parts.  Pure gold is 24 Karats, meaning 24 out of 24 parts are gold.  Because pure gold is too soft to be used for jewelry, it is combined with other metal alloys to increase its strength.  For instance, 14K gold is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys, while 18K gold is 18 parts gold and 6 parts other alloys. 10K gold is more durable, with 10 parts gold to 14 parts other alloys.

Alloys used with yellow gold include copper and silver. Pink gold is created by combining gold with large amounts of copper, while green gold results from mixing gold with copper, silver and zinc. When creating white gold, pure gold is combined with copper, zinc and nickel (or palladium).

An important consideration in choosing yellow or white gold is the gemstone it holds.  If you place a diamond with yellow color in a yellow gold setting, the diamond can actually appear whiter. White gold is a beautiful complement to exceptionally white and brilliant diamonds. Also, white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium, a shiny metal that increases the whiteness and strength of gold. Sometimes, white gold is confused with platinum, though they are entirely different metals. White gold and platinum vary in strength, resistance to scratches and shades of white.

In some jewelry pieces, white and yellow gold are paired together, producing a beautiful two-tone look.

Platinum
   
The natural white beauty of platinum is a perfect complement to diamonds, making it very popular. Compared to gold, however, platinum is five times as rare, making it highly valued.

Of all jewelry metals, platinum is the most precious. Prized for its purity, rarity and strength, its beautiful color and elegant appearance make it an ideal choice for brides and for anyone who appreciates fine jewelry.

Compared to gold, platinum is five times as rare and much more pure when used in jewelry.  For instance, gold must contain at least 41% pure gold or it will no longer be considered gold.  To be considered "platinum," however, the metal must contain at least 90% pure platinum.

Although they appear similar, platinum should never be mistaken for white gold.  The two metals differ in strength and in color.  White gold is produced using yellow gold mixed with other alloys, while platinum is already white.  In fact, the color of platinum is actually whiter than white gold.

Unlike other metals, platinum does not expand or distort when exposed to heat, and it never tarnishes.  Instead, it ages beautifully by developing a lustrous patina.  This hypoallergenic metal is also heavier than most metals and commonly used as a secure diamond setting.

Platinum has become an extremely popular jewelry metal, especially for rings. Its natural white color is a beautiful complement to diamonds, while its rarity also makes it highly valued.

Like gold, silver in its pure state is too soft to be used in jewelry. Silver is combined with other metals (like copper) to increase its strength. In order to be called "sterling silver," it must contain at least 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% or less of other metals. Sterling silver is significantly more durable than regular silver.  You'll find it stamped in various ways (such as "sterling" or "925") to indicate its content. Jared only offers sterling silver jewelry.

Although some jewelry metals are resistant to tarnish, silver is not. If you have a silver piece that you do not wear very often, tarnish can build on its surface. Regular polishing with silver cleaner can be a quick and easy solution. It's important to clean tarnish before it builds. Otherwise, it can cause long-term damage to your jewelry.

Titanium
 
Titanium is a fairly recent addition to fashion jewelry. Admired for its unique appearance and maximum strength, titanium is much lighter than steel, yet three times stronger. When used in jewelry, titanium is not combined with other metal alloys.  It weighs 1/3 less than gold and is highly resistant to dents and bending.  Also, this hypoallergenic metal will not corrode over time.  The most classic colors of titanium are gray and black with beautiful finishes such as satin, frost or high-polish.  It’s important to note that, because of its composition, titanium rings cannot be re-sized.

Stainless Steel
 
Stainless steel is becoming very popular among jewelry wearers.  This metal is very easy to maintain because it is less likely to rust and corrode than regular steel and other metals.  The chromium present in stainless steel (generally at least 10.5%) resists the process of oxidation, preventing rust or "stains" from appearing on the steel's surface.  Stainless steel is also greatly admired for its strength.

Tungsten
 
One of the newest metals to the jewelry industry, tungsten has many fine qualities.  Resistant to corrosion, tungsten is four times harder than titanium and very dense.  Its supreme strength ensures that the metal cannot bend, but it also cannot be resized.  Polish for tungsten jewelry can be permanent, meaning little maintenance is required.