Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Precious Metals Used in Jewelry Settings


Padis Jewelry offers a stunning collection of jewelry designs from the top names in the industry.  As such when you shop with us for your wedding rings or other fine jewelry you will find it set in several precious metals including gold, platinum and sterling silver.  

In gold, the term karat is used to measure the gold content or purity of the gold and the most expensive is 24 karat, which is 100% pure.  Since it is less dense than lower karats of gold, it is soft and pliable making it unsuitable for most jewelry.   

Many luxury designs are set in beautiful 18 karat gold, which contains .750 gold content (18/24) and 25% of other metals such as copper, nickel, zinc and others.  Less expensive but also commonly used in fine jewelry is 14 k gold consisting of .585 gold (14/24).  The other ten parts are typically five parts copper and five parts silver.  White gold contains at least one white metal such as zinc, manganese or palladium.  It is also treated with rhodium to give it luster and its white look.  Typically 4% silver and 21% copper is added to 18 k rose gold to give it a rose color. 

The rarest (30 times rarer than gold) and most expensive precious metal used in jewelry settings is platinum.  The metal is 95% pure and will not tarnish or fade and also provides a brilliant silvery-white luster to beautifully reflect the radiance of diamonds.  Jewelry made of platinum is stamped PT or plat in the United States. 

Silver is the most inexpensive of the precious metals commonly used in jewelry and is estimated to be approximately 1/50 the price of gold.  As pure silver is very soft, most silver jewelry is alloyed with copper and must contain a minimum of 925 parts silver for every 1000 parts of material and is marked 925 or sterling 925.  Visit the Padis Jewelry website to browse our gorgeous collection of jewelry or to get contact information to set up an appointment to visit one of our showrooms.  

As a family-owned business, Padis Jewelry has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  If you are a lover of beautiful jewels, schedule a visit to San Francisco and the Napa Valley’s best jewelry stores.
Source: mygoldguide.in/why-gold/gold-purity-tips-difference-between-24k-22k-18k-gold

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