Metal Guide

When it comes to the different types of gold available for rings and jewellery material, it can be hard to discern which is the best and most durable. That’s why we’ve created this helpful guide, answering questions such as ‘what is rose gold?’ and ‘how is gold measured?’ as well as to highlight which material best lends itself to create the strongest metal rings. Click through the guides below and discover which carat is the best choice, when choosing beautiful jewellery for a loved one or even for yourself to enjoy. We’ve created a simple guide below explaining all the important terms that you’ll need to know in order to get ready to purchase your diamond with us.

Gold Guide

There are two very important issues that must be considered when purchasing a piece of jewellery made from gold.

One Needs To Consider:

• Carat

Carat (commonly abbreviated kt to k) is one of the most important things to consider when choosing that special piece of gold jewellery. It refers to the percentage of gold that has been mixed with the metal (the type of metal used is determined by the desired colour of the gold).

Gold purity and value

Carat measures the proportion of pure gold mixed with another metal alloy, this means that if the gold purity is higher, the value therefore is too.

For example, an 18kt piece of gold jewellery will always be worth more than a 14kt piece of gold jewellery and this does not change, whether you are choosing between white gold, yellow gold or rose gold.

• 9k gold

9kt gold denotes 37.5% gold purity. It is the minimum standard used to create gold jewellery in the UAE, such as durable metal rings and strong necklace chains.
9kt gold features a 9kt stamp or the numbers 375, somewhere on the jewellery.

• 14k gold

This carat of gold denotes 58.5% purity, immediately increasing its value and making it a popular choice for those looking for a longer lasting piece of jewellery.
Look for 14kt to be stamped on the gold or the numbers 585.

• 18k gold

18kt gold denotes 75.0% purity and is used mainly for fine jewellery. Look out for the numbers 750 or the 18kt stamp.

• 22k gold

22kt gold features 91.7% gold purity, making it an expensive metal and very soft. Therefore, it is mainly used for plain gold jewellery.
The numbers 917 and stamp 22kt indicate the purity of this gold.

• 24k gold

This is the highest carat gold, denoting 100% gold purity. It cannot be used for jewellery because it is too soft to work with.

• Colour

The colour options for the gold do vary. The most popular gold colour is White Gold, followed by Yellow Gold. The difference in colour between Yellow Gold and White Gold is determined by the metals used in the alloy mix.

• Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold is made by mixing pure gold with alloy metals such as copper and zinc.

• White Gold

White Gold is made by mixing pure gold with some white metals such as silver and palladium.
White Gold is essentially Yellow Gold that has been mixed with other metal to whiten it, but it does not become completely
white, it remains off white or cream white. it is often plated with rhodium,which in time wears off so regular re-plating
is often required to maintain its whiteness.

• Rose Gold

Rose Gold is made by mixing pure gold with copper.

• Combination colours

Jewellery can also be made using a combination of different gold colours. These jewellery items are sometimes called two-tone or multi-coloured gold

White Gold

Out of all the different types of gold, white gold jewellery is timeless, elegant and can be incorporated into any style. It is considered to be the most popular gold colour, now chosen more often than traditional yellow gold. White gold can easily be worn with silver jewellery, as the shades complement one another, although it is recommended you do not mix the metals – this is to ensure the gold is not scratched or damaged by the harder, silver jewellery material.

What is white gold?

White gold is created by mixing pure gold with a white metal, such as magnesium, silver or palladium to create its signature sophisticated colouring. This gold colour is never totally white, but usually a shade of off white or even cream, making it the perfect setting for coloured precious stones.

This colour is available in a variety of carats, but 9kt is most commonly used to ensure durable and stunning pieces of jewellery are created, which can be worn every day.

Looking after your gold jewellery:

• Ensure you wear your jewellery separate from other pieces, to avoid damaging them as they may rub together.
• Remove white gold jewellery when working with harsh chemicals or completing rough tasks.
• Clean your jewellery regularly, to avoid dirt building up and dulling its shine.
• Check precious stone settings and clasps regularly for signs of damage and have these repaired straight away to avoid losing your jewellery or their embellishments.

Yellow gold

Considered to be the traditional gold colour for jewellery and everything in between, yellow gold has actually fallen behind when it comes to popularity, with white gold now considered to be the more popular choice. When choosing yellow gold, a lower carat is best for those who wish to wear their jewellery on an everyday basis because the gold purity is lower therefore creating a hardier material.

How is yellow gold made?

This colour of gold is created by combining pure gold with alloy metals such as zinc and copper. The gold purity is measured in the same way as white and rose gold, and the higher the carat the more yellow the gold but bear in mind that it will be softer and more prone to damage.

How to care for your gold jewellery:

• Ensure you clean your jewellery often, dirt and moisture can damage and tarnish yellow gold, especially those high carat gold pieces.
• Try not to mix yellow gold with stronger metals such as silver and lower carat white or rose gold, it can get scratched and damaged.
• Remove your gold jewellery when exercising or completing rough tasks to avoid damage to the clasps and precious stone settings.

Rose Gold

A truly on trend colour, rose gold has been worn used to create beautiful jewellery since the 1920s but recently saw a huge resurgence in popularity, reflected not only in accessories but also housewares and clothing. It is the perfect gold colour for fashionable jewellery wearers, looking for something truly feminine and delicate.

What is rose gold made of?

This pretty gold colour is created by mixing pure gold with a copper alloy, which creates the well known blush shades we’ve come to love. It also makes for a hardier jewellery material, perfect for rings and bracelets. A rose gold ring created using more copper will produce a redder shade, while a higher carat will look pinker. Bear in mind that rose gold can affect those with copper allergies, so it’s a good idea to choose a higher carat of gold purity when making your selection if you have sensitive skin.

How to look after your gold jewellery:

• Rose gold is a little hardier than its yellow and white counterparts so it’s a good idea to wear separately to avoid it scratching other pieces of jewellery.
• It’s a good idea to remove your rose gold jewellery when completing any rough tasks or using harsh chemicals.
• Regularly check over any precious stone settings and clasps on your jewellery. If you spot any damaged ones be sure to have these repaired as soon as possible.

Platinum Guide

For a hardwearing but good looking piece of jewellery, many people opt for platinum over gold. It is a white metal and unlike gold does not need to be mixed with a large amount of another substance, in most cases it is available in an almost pure form – 95%.

This also makes it a jewellery material perfect for those with allergies, because its pure form makes it a hypoallergenic metal.

Platinum vs Gold

Platinum’s best attribute is its strength, making it the perfect choice for durable metal rings or hardy necklaces and bracelets

This metal is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an alternative to white gold, as it does not look any different but is less prone to scratching and damage than the softer metal

Platinum will also retain its brilliance and colour over time, due to its near pure form. White gold is usually plated with rhodium, which can wear off with regular use and requires re-plating.

Does platinum scratch?

Like all metals, platinum can be scratched or damaged but there is no measurable metal loss when this occurs because it is made with a large amount of the original metal itself, which is durable on its own.

Platinum therefore is a preferable option for more active jewellery wearers. However, it is recommended that jewellery is still removed when working with harsh chemicals – even regular household cleaners – or when completing rough work, such as gardening or DIY in the home. It’s also a good idea to wear platinum jewellery separately from other metal jewellery material to minimise the risk of it being scratched.

How to clean platinum jewellery

Platinum jewellery is durable but still requires care, therefore it’s important it is cleaned regularly. Here are some simple steps to take to get your platinum jewellery looking like new again:

• Remove the jewellery and leave it to soak in lukewarm water for around 30 minutes.
• Once soaked, remove it from the water and take a soft toothbrush then use this to gently scrub the metal and any precious stone settings or prongs to remove any dirt build up.
• Leave your jewellery to air dry then take a clean, lint free cloth and wipe it over to give it back its shine.

If your platinum jewellery is particularly tarnished or dirty then it’s a good idea to take it to a reputable jeweller who will usually have the means to professionally clean it.