Jewelry pieces are decorative items such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches made from special metals and worn for adornment. Pieces of jewelry are made from different kinds of special metals and alloys. A lot of these metals and special alloys have been used over the years. Some of these metals have stood out due to some unique properties they possess.
Over the years, jewelers in making magnificent jewelry pieces have consistently used three special metals. These metals are Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each of these metals has a specific characteristic that makes it ideal for use in jewelry making.
Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry has been in existence for many centuries. Pieces of jewelry made of gold are stunning and durable. Gold has an impressive physical property and is easily worked on. Pieces of jewelry made from gold do not tarnish quickly. Gold jewelry does not corrode or rust easily and they are not affected by chemicals and acids.
When buying gold jewelry, it is essential to check the karat quality mark. The karat mark tells the gold purity in the jewelry piece. 24-karat gold is pure gold, and it is very soft. Jewelers usually add different metals that will increase the hardness and durability of the jewelry item. A piece of jewelry marked 18K gold has eighteen parts gold and six parts made of other metals. A 14K marked gold has fourteen parts gold and is mixed with ten parts other metal.
Also, certain jewelry items are made of solid gold, which means that the gold item isn’t hollow. Jewelry pieces could also be gold plated either through mechanical plating or through electroplating. A gold sputtering target is used to coat a thin layer of gold over metal to produce beautiful jewelry. Most gold-plated jewelry items wear out with time depending on the thickness of the plating. There is also gold washed, and gold flashed jewelry; these are jewelry items with very thin gold electroplating. Gold-washed or gold flashed jewelry pieces get worn out quickly, unlike gold-filled, gold plated and gold electroplated jewelry.
Golds that have been refined to match the current standards are called new golds. Old golds are obtained from melting old coins and jewelry, and they contain impurities that may cause bubbles during the gold casting process.
Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry pieces have a gleaming surface and a brilliant feel that makes them appealing as jewelry. Silver jewelry is usually in the form of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, etc. Silver jewelry items are not expensive and are now a popular choice in the fashion industry.
Silver is an abundant metal and is less costly than gold. Due to the fluctuating prices of gold, many jewelry designers prefer to design silver jewelry ornaments and adornments for the different segments of the market. Jewelers sometimes use silver target sputtering to coat a thin film of silver over a metal, producing exquisite silver jewelry.
Sterling silver, for instance, is an alloy of silver with approximately 92% pure silver and 8% other metals to make it stronger and usable. Silver doesn’t cause any harm to the human skin. There are other silver alloys, such as coin silver with 90% silver and 10% copper. Mexican silver has 95% silver and 5% copper. Britannia silver has 95.84% pure silver. Silver jewelry makers usually stamp codes on the jewelry that allow easy identification of alloy used. For instance, 925 indicates sterling silver, 958 indicates Britannia silver. Silver jewelry generally tarnish when left exposed over a long time.
Platinum Jewelry
Platinum is an ideal metal for jewelry making. It is a precious white metal with very high strength and resistance to tarnishing. Many jewelry lovers would prefer platinum jewelry because of its durability and rarity. Platinum jewelry is also light weighted due to its low-density. Platinum rings are ideal for use in weddings and engagements.
The use of platinum for making jewelry items dates as far back as Ancient Egypt. In the last 100 years, platinum has been used as an excellent metal for jewelry. They are a coveted treasure due to its brilliance and lustre.
King Louis XVI was the first to have used a platinum jewelry in Europe in 1780. He firmly believed that only jewelry made of platinum was fit for a royal figure.
All platinum jewelries are typically marked to show their authenticity. The markings usually begin with “PLAT” or “PT” and then preceded by numbers such as “950” or “999”. The numbers indicate the purity of the jewelry. A jewelry piece with “999” is the purest.
Platinum is a member of a group of metals with similar properties. In addition to platinum, other metals in the group includes iridium, palladium, etc. Of these metals, Platinum is the most widely used option for jewelry making.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice of jewelry is dependent on aesthetic preference and personal style. Whether it is a gold, silver, or platinum jewelry you wish to buy, ensure to stay within budget and only purchase jewelries that you’re comfortable wearing.
