10k Gold
10K Gold is 41.7% pure.
14k Gold
14k gold is 58.5% pure gold and settings are normally yellow or white. Occasionally 14k jewelry is alloyed to give it a pink or green color. Since gold is naturally deep yellow in color, white gold jewelry has alloys added, such as nickel, to give it the white color which will usually develop a yellow cast after it is worn awhile. White gold settings are usually rhodium plated at the factory to prolong their bright white look. If a setting does develop a yellow cast, it can easily be rhodium plated again at any time at a minimal cost.
18k Gold
18k gold is 75% pure gold and settings are normally yellow or white. Like 14k white gold, 18k white gold is prone to developing a yellow cast after some wear but can also be rhodium plated at any time. 18k yellow gold has richer color than 14k because of its higher gold content. One thing to consider when buying an 18k setting is that it is a softer metal than 14k and may wear a little faster over the years.
Karat Gold Jewelry make up the majority of many fine jewelry collections. Gold comes in many styles and colors, but the care and cleaning procedure remains the same.
- Remove all gold jewelry before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on karat gold jewelry, making it appear dull and dingy. By preventing the formation of this film, you immediately reduce the frequency with which your pieces will need to be cleaned.
- To clean your jewelry at home, you’ll find many commercial cleaners available. In addition, you’ll find a soft chamois cloth an effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous and shining. Christopher’s carries cleaners and cloths.
- For certain gold jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstone, an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate. Christopher’s can clean your jewelry for you.
- Be careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Do not wear gold jewelry while using chlorine, bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.
- You can remove tarnish with jewelry cleaner, or by using soap and water mixed with a few drops of ammonia. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush. An old toothbrush can also be used. After the brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry.
- Grease can be removed from karat gold jewelry by dipping the jewelry into plain rubbing alcohol.
Platinum
There is no other metal in the world like platinum. It is 35 times more rare than gold even though platinum bullion trades at roughly only twice the price of gold. Because it is a very difficult metal to fabricate, platinum jewelry costs considerably more than gold.
One of the unique qualities of platinum is that it is a very dense metal and almost never looses its volume from wear and scratching. When a piece of jewelry is subjected to wear, the metal is displaced on the piece but not lost. The disadvantage of this is that platinum does not maintain a polish very well and often has a dull appearance. However, platinum can be polished to a bright shine when desired at a minimal cost.
Because platinum is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals, it is resistant to tarnishing and discoloration from chlorine and other chemicals. These factors, along with its strength and white luster, have made platinum an increasingly popular choice for jewelry, either on its own or as the setting for diamonds and other precious gemstones. However, despite its durability, platinum jewelry needs to be properly cared for.
- Platinum jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry. A professional cleaning every six months will keep your platinum jewelry in great shape.
- Store your platinum jewelry separately and with care, not allowing pieces to touch each other, because even platinum can be scratched.
- Signs of wear, such as scratches, can eventually appear on platinum. However, due to the metal’s durability there is usually little metal loss from the scratch. If visible scratches do appear, bring it to Christopher’s to have it re-polished.
- If your platinum is set with diamonds or other precious stones, be especially careful, as these materials can be more susceptible to damage. Some fine jewelry pieces combine platinum with karat gold. Care for these pieces as you would your gold jewelry.
Discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston, Palladium is named after the Greek Goddess Pallas. She is the Goddess of Wisdom, the Arts and the embodiment of Purity and Strength.
Palladium is:
- Pure
- Rare
- Precious
- Lasting
Palladium is a noble metal from which fine jewelry is fashioned using a 950 alloy.
Palladium 950 is equivalent to the purity of Platinum 950. Both alloys are 95% pure metal – far purer than 18k gold with a 75% purity, or 14k gold with a 58.5% purity.
More precious than gold and just as scarce as platinum, Palladium's rarity creates an aura of luxury and purity.
Palladium and platinum are found together in nature in very limited regions in the world. A truly precious metal, Palladium exemplifies everything you would expect of life of love.
Palladium has a natural white luster that creates the perfect setting to enhance the beauty of diamonds and gemstones set within.
NATURALLY WHITE
Palladium is easy to maintain and it naturally retains its white brilliance, never yellowing, tarnishing or becoming dull. Palladium is strong and durable making it ideal to hold the most precious gemstones, and withstand the test of time.
NATURALLY HYPOALLERGENIC
Palladium is naturally hypoallergenic and Palladium 950 does not contain skin irritants, nickel and cobalt.
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure.
Sterling Silver, like other precious metals, can oxidize with time. But properly maintained silver jewelry improves with age and develops a lush patina. Treat your silver well, care for it properly and it will reward you with a long life and lustrous look.
- Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, allowing the water to bead up, and then pat dry with a soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use.
- Store your silver in a cool, dry place, preferably in a tarnish-preventative bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt or cloth. Store pieces individually, so they don’t knock together and scratch.
- Do not rub silver with anything other than a polish cloth or a fine piece of felt. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fiber in these products.
- Make sure our silver is not exposed to air and light during storage – this can cause silver to tarnish. And don’t wear sterling silver in chlorinated water or when working with household chemicals.
Stamp identification marking conversions
In Europe, precious metals are marked differently than they are here in the United States. If you have an item that you are wondering what the precious metal content might be, the chart below may help:
If your piece of jewelry is stamped with:
- 333 means 9 karat gold
- 417 means 10 karat gold
- 585 means 14 karat gold
- 750 means 18 karat gold
- 917 means 22 karat gold
- 925 means sterling silver
- 950 means platinum
- PT 950 means platinum
- 999 means 24 karat gold
- pall means Palladium
- plat means platinum