Precious metals are rare, naturally occurring metallic elements that are widely used in the making of your favorite jewelry pieces. From wedding rings to gem-encrusted bangles and bracelets, these metals are the foundation for many top-shelf fashion accessories.
Below, we discuss the four main precious metals that are used in jewelry making. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Gold
The holy trinity of precious metals have their own makeup and characteristics that set each apart from the next.
· Yellow gold is an alloy made of a mixture of pure gold and either zinc or copper and is rated in karats. The higher the karat amount, the purer the gold is. It is one of the most popular of the precious metals for a variety of staple jewelry pieces, from wedding bands to neckwear to fashion rings.
Mohs Scale:
18k: 2.8 hardness level
14k: 3.5 to 4 hardness level
· White gold is a form of gold with a distinct silvery-white color; it is an alloy of gold and at least one other type of metal, either nickel, manganese, or palladium, which typically make up about 10% of the alloy. A timeless choice for those who like to gleam.
Mohs Scale:
18k: 2.8 hardness level
14k: 3.5 to 4 hardness level
· Rose gold is another form of gold that has a rose-colored tint from the copper alloy that composes it. It has become an extremely popular choice in jewelry for its eye-catching color and luxurious hue and pairs greatly with colored gemstones.
Mohs Scale:
18k: 2.75 hardness level
14k: 3 to 4 hardness level
Silver
Like gold, silver is a very malleable metal, too soft in its pure state for jewelry. Because of this, silver is often mixed with other metals, such as copper, to strengthen it. Unlike gold, however, this precious metal is rated in fineness to determine its purity, not in karats. It is a popular precious metal for its versatility and affordability.
Mohs Scale:
2.5 to 3 hardness level
Platinum
Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal that is incredibly resistant to corrosion, even at high temperatures. This cool-toned precious metal is resistant to tarnishing, yellowing, or “warming” in color. Platinum is the rarest of precious metals and is often mixed with other metals for use in jewelry.
Mohs Scale:
4 to 4.5 hardness level
Palladium
Palladium is a beautiful silvery-white metal that resembles platinum. This metal has become much more valued in recent years and is used in a pure form in jewelry, and for combining with gold to form white-gold alloys. Because of its near-white coloring, it will not cast any tinting on any stones it is paired with.
Mohs Scale:
4.75 hardness level
Looking for the right metals for your engagement ring? Our ring finding tool makes it easy to find the right metal and setting so you can get to picking a stone. Start your search.
Below, we discuss the four main precious metals that are used in jewelry making. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
Precious Metals in the Making of Jewelry
Gold
The holy trinity of precious metals have their own makeup and characteristics that set each apart from the next.
· Yellow gold is an alloy made of a mixture of pure gold and either zinc or copper and is rated in karats. The higher the karat amount, the purer the gold is. It is one of the most popular of the precious metals for a variety of staple jewelry pieces, from wedding bands to neckwear to fashion rings.
Mohs Scale:
18k: 2.8 hardness level
14k: 3.5 to 4 hardness level
· White gold is a form of gold with a distinct silvery-white color; it is an alloy of gold and at least one other type of metal, either nickel, manganese, or palladium, which typically make up about 10% of the alloy. A timeless choice for those who like to gleam.
Mohs Scale:
18k: 2.8 hardness level
14k: 3.5 to 4 hardness level
· Rose gold is another form of gold that has a rose-colored tint from the copper alloy that composes it. It has become an extremely popular choice in jewelry for its eye-catching color and luxurious hue and pairs greatly with colored gemstones.
Mohs Scale:
18k: 2.75 hardness level
14k: 3 to 4 hardness level
Silver
Like gold, silver is a very malleable metal, too soft in its pure state for jewelry. Because of this, silver is often mixed with other metals, such as copper, to strengthen it. Unlike gold, however, this precious metal is rated in fineness to determine its purity, not in karats. It is a popular precious metal for its versatility and affordability.
Mohs Scale:
2.5 to 3 hardness level
Platinum
Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal that is incredibly resistant to corrosion, even at high temperatures. This cool-toned precious metal is resistant to tarnishing, yellowing, or “warming” in color. Platinum is the rarest of precious metals and is often mixed with other metals for use in jewelry.
Mohs Scale:
4 to 4.5 hardness level
Palladium
Palladium is a beautiful silvery-white metal that resembles platinum. This metal has become much more valued in recent years and is used in a pure form in jewelry, and for combining with gold to form white-gold alloys. Because of its near-white coloring, it will not cast any tinting on any stones it is paired with.
Mohs Scale:
4.75 hardness level
Looking for the right metals for your engagement ring? Our ring finding tool makes it easy to find the right metal and setting so you can get to picking a stone. Start your search.