From composition and appearance to durability and price, learn everything there is to know about our precious metal options and choose the ideal one for you.
What Are Precious Metals?
Precious metals are those that hold a high monetary value due to their rarity and relative durability. Gold, platinum and silver are the most well-known examples of precious metals, while popular base metals include iron, copper, zinc, nickel and aluminum.
Precious Metal List
Platinum
Composition
Platinum alloys often consist of either 90% platinum and 10% iridium or 95% platinum and 5% ruthenium. Interestingly, this composition makes platinum a hypoallergenic metal, and consequently, a preferred choice for anyone with skin allergies.
Appearance
Platinum features a lustrous silvery-white hue that’s quite eye-catching.
Durability
Platinum is more appreciated for being a dense and durable metal. That said, it can develop a patina over time. Patina refers to the change in the metal’s finish and texture due to regular use. It’s commonly characterized by a satin-like or slightly frosted finish, though it may display variations in colour and overall look.
Price
Thanks to its rarity, superior durability and beautiful appearance, platinum is one of the most expensive precious metals at present.
Cleaning & Care
1) Remove your platinum ring or other jewellery pieces when dealing with chemicals (such as bleach) or other harsh abrasives to prevent scratching.
2) Avoid wearing your platinum ring during activities that involve a lot of hand movement, like gardening or exercising.
3) Not only can platinum get scratched, but it can also scratch other jewellery pieces if pushed up against them. To prevent this, store your platinum jewellery in a separate jewellery box away from other pieces.
4) Use mild soap and warm water to clean your ring or other platinum jewellery. After soaking, gently rub your piece with your fingers. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove surface dirt. Afterward, dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Recommendation
Consider platinum if you want to invest in a precious metal that can be flaunted daily with little to no stress.
18K Gold
Composition
18K gold is made up of 75% pure gold and 25% other metals like nickel, copper and zinc. If you have a nickel allergy, it’s best to avoid white gold because it contains nickel. While allergic reactions to copper (which is present in yellow and rose gold) are rare, they can still occur in some cases.
Appearance
Because of its relatively high gold content, 18K gold features a warm, vibrant tone that is incredibly captivating. Depending on the type of alloys used to create the same, this metal can be found in three distinct hues: yellow gold, rose gold and white gold.
Intrigued and want to know what makes white gold different from its yellow gold counterpart? Read our article on white gold and yellow gold differences.
We also have an article on the difference between white gold and rose gold. Make sure to give it a read.
Durability
While it can be flaunted daily, 18K gold is softer and easier to scratch or dent than platinum and 14K gold.
Price
When it comes to this precious metal’s price, it’s worth noting that 18K gold is more affordable than platinum. It is also more expensive than 14K gold because of its higher gold content.
Recommendation
We highly recommend buying this precious metal if you’re someone who wants their jewellery to have a luxurious appearance without compromising on durability.
Also Read: Meaning of 18K Gold
14K Gold
Composition
So, what is 14K gold? It is basically a type of gold that contains 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals such as copper, zinc, silver and nickel. Do note that white gold, which contains nickel, may trigger allergies in those sensitive to nickel. And while reactions to copper are rare, they can occur in rare cases.
Appearance
Due to their lower gold content, the colour of all three types of 14K gold (yellow gold, white gold and rose gold) is lighter than 18K gold. That said, they do still feature a rich and impressive colour that makes them sought-after.
Durability
Weaker than platinum and stronger than 18K gold, 14K gold is considered to be a great option for everyday wear.
Price
14K gold is more affordable than platinum and 18K gold.
Recommendation
If you’re someone who values durability, affordability and a luxurious appeal, then 14K gold is definitely a precious metal you should consider investing in.
Want to know a little more about the differences between 18K and 14K gold? Read our article on 14K vs 18K gold. Another read that might be helpful is our guide on karat vs. carat.
Two-Tone Gold
Composition
At Angara, two-tone gold jewellery is available in both 14K and 18K gold. 14K gold is made up of 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals such as copper, zinc, silver and nickel, for example. On the other hand, 18K gold constitutes 75% pure gold and 25% other metals like nickel, copper and zinc.
Appearance
A combination of two types of gold (usually rose and white gold or yellow and white gold), two-tone gold is adored for the touch of uniqueness it adds to a piece of jewellery.
Durability
Although 18K two-tone gold can be worn every day, it is softer than 14K two-tone gold and is therefore more likely to get scratched or dented. 14K two-tone gold is tougher and considered ideal for daily wear.
Price
At Angara, our two-tone gold costs the same as our single-tone gold with the same karatage. It’s worth noting here that while 18K gold costs less than platinum, it is also more expensive than 14K gold because of its higher gold content.
Recommendation
Two-tone gold is a great option for those who have a thing for the unconventional and want their jewellery to make a statement.
How to Clean and Care for Gold Jewellery
Different types of gold regardless of karatage deserve the same TLC when it comes to care and cleaning. Here are a few tips to ensure your gold jewellery piece remains in excellent shape always:
1) Harsh soap, detergent and other chemicals can make gold look dull. To avoid this, take off your gold jewellery before showering or doing household chores like washing dishes or doing laundry.
2) Avoid getting lotion, perfume, hairspray, makeup or any other liquids directly on your gold jewellery as they tend to cause a residue build-up, which can severely damage and discolour your metal in the long run. Ideally, wear your jewellery right before leaving the house and take it off as soon as you’re home.
3) Always remove your gold jewellery before getting into a hot tub or swimming pool as the chlorine and other chemicals in the water can permanently discolour the metal.
4) To prevent your gold jewellery from getting scratched, store each piece separately. You can use a velvet-lined tray, boxes with compartments, cloth pouches or the Angara box your jewellery comes in. If you’re short on space, wrap each jewellery piece in a soft cloth to protect it.
5) Regular cleaning will reduce any grime and build-up and keep your gold ring or other jewellery pieces shiny all year round. To clean your gold jewellery at home, soak it in a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water for about 10-15 minutes. Then use a soft-bristled brush to carefully remove any stubborn dirt between the setting and intricate details of the piece. Afterwards, rinse your jewellery with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth. Avoid using tissue paper or anything hard that could scratch the metal.
Where’s the Best Place to Buy Precious Metals, You Ask?
Angara, of course!
From platinum to two-tone gold, we’ve got several metal options on our website. Pair the metal of your choice with a design that catches your eye and you’ve got yourself a piece that you’ll never stop loving.
With Angara, you’ll never have to worry about the purity of the gold you purchase. In fact, you don’t even need a professional jeweller to test the gold for you. You can do it yourself. Let our article on how to test gold at home be your guide.
How to Mix Metals
Now that you know your metals. It’s time to experiment, and the mixed metals trend is the perfect way to do it. To keep it simple, you can go with two tone gold jewellery. But if you want to use your existing jewellery pieces in different metals, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Wear no more than two metal colours at a time. You can pair yellow and white gold, or white and rose gold for some truly chic ring stacks and layers.
2. Don’t be afraid to play with lengths, textures and more. After all, your stack reflects your individuality.
3. Complement with a few statement pieces in a single metal with other smaller, more basic pieces in the second metal to keep things balanced.
4. Lastly, avoid too many unique design elements for a more cohesive look
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are considered precious metals and why are they valued?
Precious metals are rare metals with high economic value. This is due to several reasons such as their rarity and relative durability. Gold, platinum and silver are the most well-known examples of precious metals.
Q2. How do precious metals differ from other types of metals?
Precious metals stand out from other types of metals due to their rarity, monetary value and unique properties.
Q3. What factors influence the value of precious metals?
The value of a precious metal is influenced by several factors such as its purity or fineness, supply and demand dynamics, economic stability and geopolitical tensions amongst others.
Q4. What is the difference between platinum and gold?
Platinum is denser, rarer, more durable and more expensive than gold.
Q5. How does the purity of gold affect its appearance and durability?
The higher the purity of gold, the more rich and vibrant its colour will be. That said, higher purity gold is also softer and easier to scratch as compared to its lower purity counterparts.
Q6. Are there any special care instructions for jewellery made from precious metals?
To maintain the quality of your precious metal jewellery, it’s best to remove them before swimming. Oceans and pools contain saltwater and chlorine, which can corrode the metal and make it look dull over time. Also, remember that chemicals present in cosmetics can damage precious metal and change its appearance. To limit your metal’s contact with the same, we recommend putting on your jewellery last when preparing to go out. We also suggest cleaning your jewellery often to ensure it remains in good shape.
Q7. What is the difference between 18K gold and 14K gold?
18K gold contains 75% pure gold. Because of this, it is more valuable and softer than 14K gold which is made up of 58.3% pure gold.
Q8. Can you explain what two-tone gold is and how it’s created?
Two-tone gold is a combination of two types of gold (usually rose and white gold or yellow and white gold). Two-tone gold jewellery is created using two types of gold for different parts of the same jewellery piece.
