Metal Types
A Lesson In Metallurgy
METAL | COLOR | FINISH | CHARACTERISTICS |
Platinum | White with a cool undertone | Resistant to wear; shows scratches; slowly dulls to a patina finish |
Maintains surface embellishments such as engraving and milgrain; 95% pure metal |
18kt Yellow Gold | Rich yellow | Shows scratches; polishes as worn |
75% gold content; international standard for jewelry; combines purity with performance |
14kt Yellow Gold | Yellow | Shows scratches; polishes as worn |
58.5% gold content; traditional karat of choice in US |
9kt Yellow Gold | Pale Yellow | Shows scratches; polishes as worn |
37.5% gold content; lower gold content makes the jewelry harder and more affordable |
White Gold | White with a yellow undertone | Shows scratches; polishes as worn |
Rigid; more brittle than Platinum; wears over time |
Sterling Silver | Silvery-white with a slight pink undertone | Shows scratches; polishes as worn; tarnishes |
Malleable; less suitable for everyday jewelry because it wears away more quickly |