METAL GUIDE
STERLING SILVER
Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% fine silver & 7.5% copper. Sterling silver is recommended for fashion jewellery which is not intended to be worn everyday.
Gold plated sterling silver consists of a thin layer of 18ct gold electroplated over a sterling silver base. I plate our jewellery with a minimum of 2.5 microns which is also known as ‘gold vermeil’.
GOLD
9ct gold is 37.5% pure gold
14ct gold is 58.5% pure gold
18ct gold is 75% pure gold
Gold is alloyed with other metals such as Silver, Copper, Palladium & Zinc, which makes up the different carats and tones of gold.
Colour
Pure gold is very rich yellow in colour. The higher the carat, the richer in colour it is.
18ct Yellow Gold is a rich warm yellow compared to 9ct which is a pale yellow with pink undertones due to the higher copper content.
White Gold is a mixture of gold, palladium, silver or zinc. White gold naturally has a warm gold undertone to it. Traditionally white gold jewellery is rhodium plated which give is a flashy bright white shine. Over time the plating wears off and requires replating every 1-2 years. I prefer to keep my white gold unplated as I love the natural colour of the metal and is less maintenance over time. White golds with high Palladium content (like 18ct White Palladium Gold) are a darker grey gunmetal colour.
Rose Gold is a mixture of gold, silver, and a higher percentage of copper, which is how it gets it’s pinky red tone.
Durability
Pure gold doesn’t tarnish or corrode, but the metals alloyed with the gold can. Therefore the higher the carat of gold & less alloyed metal present, the more durable & stable in colour over time.
Wedding & engagement rings are intended to be worn everyday for a lifetime, therefore 14ct and 18ct is recommended for wedding & engagement ring jewellery due to its added strength & durability.
9ct gold is a more economical option upfront, although as it has a high copper content this can cause your jewellery to tarnish faster that a higher carat gold & will require more cleaning and maintenance.
People with sensitive skin or allergies to alloys are recommended to opt for a higher carat gold.