All about precious metals!
Goldsmiths
Diamondsbyme
10 February 2023
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Precious metals have long been valued for their beauty, rarity, and durability. These metals, which include gold, silver, and platinum, are often used to make jewellery and other decorative objects due to their unique properties. In this article, we will take a closer look at these precious metals and what makes them so special.
Gold
Gold is the most commonly used material in jewellery production and is sometimes referred to as the "king of metals." Gold is prized for its yellow colour and has been used for centuries to create jewellery, coins, and other decorative objects. Gold is also highly malleable, which means it can be shaped into a variety of forms, and it retains its shine and brilliance over time. In addition, gold is available in a range of colours, including yellow, white, and rose. White gold is a modern variation of gold that is achieved by adding more silver to the pure gold, while rose gold is a mix of yellow gold and copper. The higher the copper content, the deeper the red hue of the metal.
Silver
Silver is a precious metal that has been used for thousands of years, both for its beauty and as a means of payment. Unlike gold, silver is not often found in its pure form in nature and must be extracted from other minerals. Silver is soft and can be shaped into a variety of forms, making it an ideal material for jewellery. The pure white colour of silver is also highly prized and does not rust, making it a durable material for jewellery and other decorative objects.
Platinum
Platinum is a rare metal that is highly valued for its beauty and strength. Platinum is naturally white and is often used to create jewellery and other decorative objects due to its unique properties. Platinum is purer and stronger than gold, and it also has a higher density. In addition, platinum is non-reactive and hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
Carat
In order to make jewellery from precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, the metal must be mixed with a non-precious metal to create an alloy. This is because these metals in their pure form are too soft on their own to be used to create jewellery. The content of the alloy is referred to as the carat, and it is an important factor to consider when purchasing jewellery made from precious metals.
For example, if a ring is made from 14-carat gold, this means that it contains 58.5% gold. 18-carat gold contains 75% gold, while 22-carat gold contains 91.7% gold. In other words, the more carats, the more gold is included in the jewellery.
Gemstones and Carat
It is important to note that the carat used for precious metals is different from the carat used for gemstones. Gemstones are weighed in carats, but this carat is a unit of mass and not the same as the carat used for precious metals. Gemstones can be weighed in fractional carats, decimal carats, or 100-point units. One point is equal to 0.01 carats.
The name "carat" is thought to have originated from the seeds of the St. John's tree, which were used as a measure of weight for precious stones. In 1907, the metric carat, which weighs 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams, was introduced in Europe and America, and different countries soon developed their own versions of the carat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum are highly valued for their beauty, rarity, and durability. These metals are often used to create jewelry and other decorative objects due to their properties.
