Gold, Silver and Platinum - They're not Called 'precious' Metals for Nothing
When you're buying a special piece of jewellery - whether it's an engagement ring or a birthday necklace - it's likely you'll hear the term 'precious metal' thrown around a lot. But what exactly is a precious metal - and what makes it so 'precious'? When it comes to jewellery, the three most precious metals are silver, gold and platinum - in that particular order. And if you're buying jewellery made out of these metals, it's important to know what each of them denotes, and how expensive they are, before making your purchase.
Silver, for example, is one of the cheapest precious metals, and currently sits at about one fiftieth the price of gold by mass, although it did once trade at one sixth the price of gold before the Age of Discovery. As a soft metal, silver needs to be alloyed with other metals before being made into jewellery, in order to make the metal stronger and more resistant. 'Sterling Silver' needs to contain at least 92.5% pure silver in order to gain this mark (the remaining 7.5% is usually comprised of copper). This small copper content means that silver jewellery is likely to tarnish, so if you're thinking about buying a sterling silver ring or bracelet, it's important to make sure you clean in properly. Many people like to use toothpaste to clean silver jewellery, but if you're looking for a less abrasive cleaning formula, it's best to invest in a silver-cleaning fluid at the time of purchase. Further, to make sure the silver jewellery you've bought is high quality, ensure that it's been stamped with a purity mark (like 925) before you buy.
Gold, on the other hand, has long-held associations with investment and wealth as a precious metal. As with silver, gold is a soft metal and so also has to be alloyed with other metals to make it hard enough for jewellery making. Pure gold, for example is yellow, while white gold is gold that has been alloyed with nickel, copper and zinc, and can sometimes look similar to platinum. In this way, the colour of gold can be manipulated in order to create a number of different types.
Of these three popular precious metals, however, platinum is the most expensive. Its heavy-weight and durable nature means that it's great for diamond-encrusted jewellery and is similar in colour, though not in properties, to white gold. Generally speaking, platinum jewellery is 90% pure platinum and 10% iridium or palladium alloy. Moreover, jewellery that contains more than 95 per cent pure platinum is marked 'platinum' (950 plat or 950pt), whereas 85 percent pure platinum will be marked 850plat or 850pt. Platinum jewellery is rapidly gaining popularity and other related metals - like palladium and titanium - are, as a result being used with increasing frequency in jewellery-making. Hence, platinum jewellery designs are often modern and chunky, with an ethos that reflects the lifestyle of its new buyers.
Related Tags: jewellery, silver jewellery, precious metals, gold jewellery, platinum jewellery, design gallery, alloy, jewellery-making
Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Propose Your Lady With Wonderful Diamond Engagement Ring
There are many occasions in our life which is very important for us and such moment is proposing. Pr - Closer Look At Rose Gold Engagement Rings
The Rose Gold jewelry has been in style for many years and firstly well known in Russia. The jewelry - Impregnated Diamond Core Bit
Scientists and engineers explore for mineral deposits (such as metals, gold, gemstone, diamond etc.) - Exclusive Art Deco Style Wedding Ring
Most couple definitely need to have all particular issues prepared for his or her marriage ceremony - Know How To Match Your Pearl Jewelry To Clothing And Skin Tone!
Knowing how to appropriately match pearl jewelry to your wardrobe and skin tone may not be easy beca - Precious Laboratory Grown Diamonds Against High-priced Natural Diamonds
Synthetic or man made diamond stones are the diamonds made by human. They're made by practiced scien - Four Leaf Clover
Four leaf clovers is a unique combination of the very common three leaved clover that is the usual n - Buy Silver Tiffany Bangles Online
Founded in 1837, Tiffany & co. has been renowned for its luxury goods, especially silver jewelry. Ti - Presentation - Julie Miville-dechene, Founder Of Bijoulie
Creative, original, adventurous, generous with a passion for life! That is the perfect way to introd - Discount Skagen Watches - Where To Get Great Prices
Are you looking for discount Skagen watches?It can be time consuming if you don't know where to look
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Moissanite Man Made Diamonds Deliver a Lifetime of Brilliance
Moissanite, born from a star that fell onto the earth and scattered beautiful sparkling rocks for mi - One Little Cabochon
So, you think you'd like to make your own cabochons? Well, I'm going to tell you what's involved in - Princess Diana's Engagement Ring: Her Jewelery Was Beautiful But Her Life Was Tragic in Many Ways
Who isn't fascinated by the gracious and beautiful Princess Di? Everything about her held an air of - Upgrading Your Diamond
As the De Beers advertising campaign states, "A Diamond is forever", that does not necessarily mean - How To Purchase Diamond As A Gift?
Gift the women of your life a dazzling white diamond and see the gleam on her face. Worth it. Isn't - Earrings: Balancing Style With Beauty
Geometric shapes are probably the current choice of working person that is getting an outlet in the - About Gold and Silver Jewelry
Fashion is said to be a whimsical thing. This statement can be fully applied to jewelry. Its appeara - Jewelry That Lets Your Personality Shine Through
Everyone knows that hippie chic is a style that is here to stay. From high fashion runways to the gi - Turquoise Jewelry Myth, Magic and Maintenance
Turquoise is a sacred stone "that has been used for centuries to adorn ritual objects and is still c - How To Find A Cheap Diamond Ring
A diamond is not cheap. That is the first thing that you should stick in your head before you sta