Metal Guide
See our metal guide to choose which metal is right for you.
GOLD (Au)
Gold has been an important precious metal since as early as 560BC and has been used throughout history as jewellery for religious ceremonies such as weddings, to declare status or purely for decoration. The Ancient Egyptians featured gold in art and revered it as a divine and indestructible metal, while the Ancient Greeks deemed it was crafted from water and sunshine.
It is a popular and versatile choice because it is both ductile and malleable, meaning it can easily be crafted into different shapes. Most gold jewellery is mixed with other alloy metals such as silver, copper, nickel and zinc to strengthen its durability.
YELLOW GOLD
This is gold’s most traditional hue, naturally beautiful with its warm rich yellow colour. Yellow gold is the ideal precious metal for traditional engagement rings and wedding rings, and is easy metal to care for, it’s resistant to rust and tarnishing.
WHITE GOLD
White Gold has been fashionable since the early 1920s and has since become one of the most sought after gold colours used in the UK. To create white gold, yellow gold is mixed an alloy such as zinc, nickel or palladium, and finished with rhodium plating, giving it a bright clean look.
ROSE GOLD
This rich autumnal gold is becoming a popular precious metal for engagement and wedding rings. Created by combining yellow gold with a copper alloy, its colour is suited to more skin tones than yellow gold and is overall a very complimentary and flattering metal.
HALLMARKS
All precious metals will carry a hallmark declaring the purity and authenticity of the metal. Hallmarks are a legal requirement, and are only available from one of the four Assay Offices in the United Kingdom. Each office holds their own hallmark symbol, telling the consumer where the article has been assayed (tested).
GOLD CARATS
9ct is 37.5% pure gold, and with lighter hues it is the most affordable form of gold jewellery.
14ct has around 58.5% pure gold and has warm hues. It is more affordable than 18ct gold, making it a popular choice.
18ct contains 75% gold, and is valued for its radiance and brighter tones.
Both 22ct (91.6% purity), and 24ct (99.9% purity) are very soft metals, usually not used in jewellery making.
PLATINUM (Pt)
Platinum is a versatile and durable precious metal with a naturally white colour that helps improve the sparkle and vibrancy of any diamond of gemstone set in it.
Platinum is usually hallmarked ‘950’. This stands for 95% pure platinum then the other 5% will be palladium, iridium, ruthenium and other alloys. Because of its 95 per cent purity, platinum does not oxidise in the air at any temperature which means its colour remains consistent and does not tarnish.
PALLADIUM (Pd)
Palladium is a rare naturally-white metal. As part of the platinum family it shares many of the same chemical properties of platinum and is naturally hypoallergenic, for the benefit of those with sensitive skin or allergies, as well as corrosion-resistant. The main difference between platinum and palladium is the weight – palladium is a softer and lighter metal. Palladium is arguably one of the best choices for those with a lower budget who don’t want to sacrifice quality or beauty.
TITANIUM (Ti)
Titanium is an ultra-strong, durable, yet feather light metal discovered in the UK. As strong as steel but is 45% lighter in weight, it is similar to platinum in its resistance to tarnishing. This lustrous white metal is praised for its resistance to erosion and is completely hypoallergenic making it a great choice for wedding bands or those with nickel allergies.
ZIRCONIUM (Zr)
Zirconium is a lustrous, grey-white metal, very similar to Titanium being that it is relatively lightweight, and skin-friendly (no nickel)! Due to its hight resistance to heat and corrosion, it is primarily used in nuclear reactors. Once heated the metal oxidises, turning a jet black colour and adopting the feel of ceramic. Zirconium rings are shatterproof and offer a striking alternative choice for a wedding band or promise ring.
