Gold

Gold is naturally found in the earth yellow, however it can be alloyed with other metals to create both white gold and rose gold. Pure gold is 24ct, which is too soft to be made into jewellery, therefore other metals are added to make gold wearable. In Australia, 9ct gold, 14ct gold, and 18ct gold, are commonly used within the jewellery industry.

9ct gold is represented by 375, stating that there is 37.5% pure gold within the alloy mix. Similarly, for 14ct gold 585 represents 58.5% pure gold, and for 18ct gold 750 represents 75% pure gold. These percentages are the same across all three alloyed golds: yellow, white, and rose. To gain the colour for either white gold or rose gold, other metals such as palladium or copper are added to the alloy.

Metal merchants can alter the final colour result, by adding different percentages of these other metals. Therefore, you may have seen a difference between a 9ct rose gold ring compared with another 9ct rose gold ring, as some rose golds can appear more ‘pink’ whereas others can appear more ‘orange’.

It is also worth noting that we use a high-quality palladium-based white gold for our jewellery pieces, which gives a stronger white colouring. This is beneficial long-term as you will be required to re-rhodium plate your jewellery piece less often. To receive its bright white finish, all white gold is rhodium plated. Rhodium is a pure white metal, however due to its rarity and brittle components, it cannot be made into a solid jewellery piece.

Platinum

Platinum is a naturally white metal and the purest precious metal used within the jewellery industry, with 950 representing 95% pure platinum. Platinum is dense in weight and requires little maintenance compared to that of other precious metals. Due to its density and premium colouring, platinum is considered a superior metal and makes an excellent alternative to white gold.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is an alloy of fine silver, with 975 representing 97.5% fine silver. Sterling silver is a bright white metal and can achieve a premium finish. It is a great option for those wanting to keep to a smaller budget for their new jewellery piece. However, due to the nature of the metal, sterling silver will oxidize over time and is easier to scratch than other precious metals.