What are the precious metals? 

Gold, silver, platinum, palladium and titanium are known as the precious metals, and are the most commonly used within jewellery design and creation. Any jewellery that is made from these precious metals is known as, 'fine jewellery'. Precious metals are rare metals that also hold many desirable characteristics. If a metal is valuable, rare and makes beautiful jewellery, then it is considered to be precious! 

A key element to consider when purchasing jewellery is the piece's sustainability. All of the precious metals are very durable and have a high surface lustre, so will not rust or corrode if taken care of properly. The precious metal that a piece of jewellery is created with also plays a big role in its appearance and cost, which you will soon discover as your knowledge of each of the precious metals deepens. As well as beauty and sustainability, these metals have a high economic value, and in the past, have even been used as forms of currency.

What is metal carat?

The metal carat refers to the quantity of pure gold contained in a metal. The purity level is stamped on the piece of jewellery, which is called a hallmark. The most cost effective metal carat is 9ct, which is hallmarked 375, meaning that it is 37.5% pure gold, the rest consisting of other metals. Next is 14ct, which contains 585 (5.85%) pure gold. The highest content of pure gold that you will find at high street jewellers is 18ct. 18ct gold provides a rich yellow or rose hue due to its high content. Therefore, it is durable and considered ideal for engagement rings and wedding bands which are worn daily. The purest form of gold available is 22ct, which contains 916 (91.6%) parts. 

Which precious metal should I choose?

Gold 

Gold is renowned for its durability, non-corrosive nature, and lasting beauty. The most popular shade of precious metal is yellow gold. However, whether you prefer yellow gold, white gold or rose gold, this precious metal will always bring an unmatched beauty, element of timelessness and class to each and every piece of jewellery. 

Gold has the spectacular ability to stay tarnish free and to not lose its colour over time. In addition, it has continually proved be cost effective as a precious metal, which makes it the perfect choice for many jewellery buyers. 

However, although gold as a precious metal has many advantages, it can become scratched, especially in pieces that are worn daily such as wedding and engagement rings. In the unlikely event that a gold piece does become damaged, it can be easily repaired by a professional jeweller. Discover our repair services at Allure Jewellers!

Silver

Compared to all of the other precious metals that are readily available in the UK, silver is the most cost effective. Silver's value extends far beyond its price, though, as despite the fact that you can find some stunning silver pieces for a very good price, it is silver's beauty, versatility, lustre and rarity that stands out to buyers. In addition to these desirable qualities, this precious metal contains 92.5% pure silver, which is mixed with other metals such as copper. This prevents scratching, meaning that it is the prefect option for those with active and on-the-go lifestyles. 

Due to the fact that silver can react with the air in a process called oxidation and become dull looking, silver does require considerably more maintenance that the other precious metals. However, there is no need to worry about this, as oxidation will not reach to the metal underneath the top layer of the silver. Therefore, this slight discolouration can be easily removed by using a cleaning cloth, or by being cleaned or polished by a specialist, which is a service that we recommend having every 6-12 months. This will keep your jewellery looking its very best! Find out more about our cleaning and polishing service at Allure Jewellers. 

Platinum  

As it is a hard-wearing metal, platinum is very durable, and has become a popular choice for men's wedding bands especially, as well as in general. Even when subjected to the daily wear and tear that we are all likely to experience, platinum remains equally as beautiful as it is strong, and is good for those with active lifestyles. 

Although similar in appearance, unlike silver, platinum is unreactive, so will not tarnish or become dull looking. These desirable characteristics are reflected in its price, and its excellent quality as a precious metal, though, does mean that it can be considerably more expensive than gold or silver. 

Palladium

As palladium is part of the platinum family, it displays many of these same appealing qualities that are looked for by jewellery purchasers. These include strength, as well as an unreactive nature. Palladium is naturally white in colour, lending a high sheen, and is luxurious in appearance. 

Due to the fact that palladium can be difficult to work with at times, it is much better for simple jewellery designs. The secure, durable and easy to maintain attributes of palladium means that it is another fantastic option for men’s jewellery, especially wedding bands that are worn on a day-to-day basis. However, although palladium does hold many advantages, like any other precious metal, it is not indestructible, and can dent or scratch.

Which precious metal is best? 

Each precious metal has many similar, as well as many unique characteristics, and are equally as beautiful as one another. The most desirable ones that buyers typically look for are durability, affordability, style, and whether the metal is kind and hypoallergenic to the skin!

Get in touch with Allure Jewellers

Are you still unsure about what precious metal is right for you and your partner? If so, there is no need to worry! Get in touch with our team at Allure Jewellers, and we will be happy to discuss your options with you. To gain a better understanding of what we offer, browse our selection of wedding bands online. Alternatively, please feel free to visit us in store - take a virtual look around today!