Metal Guide
Find Out About The Precious Metals We Use To Create Your Jewellery
After Diamonds jewellery is a precious investment that requires proper care and attention to keep it looking as stunning as the day you bought it.
To ensure your jewellery remains in excellent condition, we recommend cleaning it regularly, storing it properly, and avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
We're committed to helping you keep your jewellery looking its best for years to come. Click the link below to learn more about our expert guides and tips for caring for your precious jewellery and ensuring it stays beautiful for a lifetime.
Metals Compared:
Comparing Precious Metals
Choosing the Right Metal for Your Jewelry
When it comes to selecting the perfect metal for your jewelry, there are several factors to consider, including the color, durability, and price of the metal. The four most popular precious metals used in fine jewelry are yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum. We’ve prepared a comparison of each to help you choose the best option for your needs.
Yellow Gold: Yellow gold is a timeless choice for jewelry and has been valued for centuries. Its warm, rich tone is created by blending pure gold with other metals like copper and silver. Yellow gold is durable, resistant to tarnish, and an excellent option for everyday wear. It is also relatively affordable compared to other precious metals, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and other jewelry pieces.
White Gold: White gold offers a sleek and modern alternative to yellow gold with its silvery-white appearance. It’s created by combining pure gold with white metals such as palladium and silver. White gold is strong and scratch-resistant, making it great for daily wear, but it does require occasional re-plating to maintain its shine.
Rose Gold: Rose gold has a distinctive, romantic pink hue that comes from adding copper to pure gold. This warm-toned metal is durable and long lasting, making it perfect for rings, necklaces, and other jewelry pieces. While less versatile than yellow or white gold, rose gold stands out for its unique and stylish look.
Platinum: Platinum is the ultimate luxury metal, known for its strength, rarity, and naturally white color. It is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for sensitive skin, and its density adds to its luxurious feel. While platinum is more expensive than gold, its durability and prestige make it a premium choice for fine jewelry.
Each precious metal has unique benefits that make it suited to different styles and preferences. We offer a wide selection of jewelry crafted in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum, and our expert team is always available to help you find the right match. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless glow of yellow gold, the clean look of white gold, the romance of rose gold, or the prestige of platinum, we have the perfect piece of jewelry waiting for you.
Comparing Platinum and Gold Jewelry
Both platinum and gold are beautiful and popular choices for jewelry. Platinum is naturally white, extremely durable, and hypoallergenic, making it a top choice for engagement rings and other luxury pieces. Gold, on the other hand, comes in a variety of colors, is more affordable, and is a versatile option for everyday jewelry. Ultimately, the choice between platinum and gold depends on your personal style and budget. Whatever you decide, we offer a wide selection of high-quality jewelry in both platinum and gold to suit any occasion.
Gold and It's Purity
Gold is one of the most sought-after metals in jewelry thanks to its beauty, strength, and rarity. The purity of gold is measured in karats, with 24k being pure gold. Because 24k is too soft for daily wear, gold used in jewelry is blended with other metals for durability. The three most common options in the U.S. are 10k, 14k, and 18k gold.
10K Gold: 10k gold contains 41.7% pure gold and the rest is alloy metals like copper, silver, and zinc. It is the most durable and affordable option, making it perfect for everyday jewelry. Its toughness means it resists scratches and bending, though its color is less vibrant than higher-karat options.
14K Gold: 14k gold is the most popular choice in the United States, containing 58.3% pure gold. It offers an excellent balance of durability, affordability, and rich color, making it ideal for both daily wear and fine jewelry. Many people consider 14k gold the “sweet spot” because it combines the strength of 10k with the luxury look of 18k at a more approachable price.
18K Gold: 18k gold contains 75% pure gold and has a rich, warm color that stands out in luxury jewelry. It is considered a premium option due to its high gold content, though it is softer and more prone to scratching than 10k or 14k. Its higher purity also makes it less likely to cause skin irritation.
Choosing Between Them
Each option has its advantages: 10k is the strongest and most affordable, 14k provides the best all-around balance, and 18k offers the most luxurious look and feel. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your style, lifestyle, and budget. We offer a wide range of 10k, 14k, and 18k gold jewelry so you can find the perfect match for any occasion.
Platinum vs. Gold: Which Metal Is Right for You?
Platinum and gold are the two most popular precious metals in fine jewelry. Both have unique qualities that make them appealing to different buyers. Here’s a comparison to help you decide:
Durability
Platinum is denser and stronger than gold, making it highly durable and resistant to scratches or bending. Gold, by contrast, is softer and more prone to scratches, though higher-karat alloys remain strong enough for daily wear.
Color
Platinum is naturally white with a cool, silvery hue that enhances the brilliance of diamonds and other gemstones. Gold, on the other hand, comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, white, and rose. Yellow gold remains the most traditional and popular choice in the U.S., while white and rose gold are loved for their modern and romantic tones.
Purity
Platinum is typically 95–98% pure. Gold is alloyed with other metals to improve strength and durability, and its purity is measured in karats: 24k is pure gold, but too soft for most jewelry. In the U.S., 10k, 14k, and 18k are the most common standards. 14k gold is especially popular because it balances beauty, strength, and affordability.
Value
Platinum is rarer and generally more expensive than gold. Gold’s value depends on karat and current market prices but tends to be more affordable, especially at 10k or 14k.
Hypoallergenic Qualities
Platinum is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin. Gold alloys may contain metals like nickel or copper, which can occasionally cause irritation, though higher karats like 18k are less likely to do so.
How does Silver compare?
When it comes to choosing precious metals for your jewelry, the three most popular options are silver, gold, and platinum. Each metal has its own unique characteristics, benefits, and considerations that are worth keeping in mind before making your decision.
Silver
Silver is an affordable and attractive option, known for its shiny, bright-white appearance. However, silver is softer and less durable than gold or platinum, making it more prone to scratching, bending, or tarnishing over time. While beautiful, it may not be the best choice for everyday wear if you want your piece to last for many years without regular upkeep.
Gold
Gold is a timeless and classic choice that has been treasured in jewelry for centuries. Its purity is measured in karats, with 24k being pure gold. Since pure gold is soft, it’s typically alloyed with metals like copper, silver, or nickel to enhance strength and durability. In the U.S., the most common choices are 10k, 14k, and 18k gold. 14k gold is especially popular for balancing durability, beauty, and affordability, while 18k offers a richer color and higher gold content. Gold’s versatility makes it a favorite for both everyday and formal jewelry.
Platinum
Platinum is a premium, high-end choice that is denser and heavier than gold, offering unmatched durability. It’s highly resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for engagement rings and other pieces you plan to wear daily. Platinum is naturally white, meaning it won’t tarnish, fade, or require rhodium plating like white gold. It’s also hypoallergenic, making it an excellent option for anyone with sensitive skin.
Making Your Choice
When selecting the right metal, think about your personal style, budget, and how you plan to wear your jewelry. Silver may be the most affordable but requires more care. Gold remains the most versatile and widely used, while platinum is the ultimate choice for durability and luxury.
Contact
Still have questions? We’re happy to help! Please email us at help@afterdiamonds.com, and we’ll get back to you within 24 business hours.
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