Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Differences Between Gold, Silver, and Platinum Jewelry

Gold is the most popular option for fine jewelry. Karatage is expressed in 24ths, making 24k gold 100% gold. Yellow gold is richer in 18k gold compared to 10k gold. With white gold, the color usually is enhanced using rhodium, a hard and durable plating. Rose gold is mixed with copper which gives it the beautiful pink color.
When properly cared for, gold jewelry can last a lifetime. Gold jewelry should be stored separate from other pieces to avoid scratching. Removing jewelry pieces before strenuous activity can help prevent scratching. Gold can be cleaned with commercial jewelry cleaning products. A soft gold polishing cloth can be used for polishing.
Pure silver, also called fine silver, is soft and easily damaged so it is usually combined with other metals in order to be durable enough for jewelry. The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Sterling silver is a good choice for jewelry because of its durability and beauty. Sterling silver can be marked with words such as sterling, sterling silver, ster, or.925 to show the quality
With proper care, your fine quality silver will last a lifetime. Silver jewelry should be stored in a cloth pouch or separate compartment in your jewelry box to minimize scratches and other damage. Regular cleanings will keep your silver bright and shiny.
Platinum jewelry is most appealing because of its strength and durability. Other metals can wear down over time, but not platinum. It is the strongest of jewelry metals. Most fine jewelry made with platinum is 95% pure platinum with 5% other alloys.
Platinum jewelry is easy to care for. It will need less maintenance than gold or silver due to its durability.

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