Jewelry Metals
Gemstone and diamond jewelry can be paired with a variety of precious metals. The metal you choose can depend on your preference in durability, look and cost. Factors that set different types of metals apart are also the luster (shine), weight and color of the metal. With Clarity crafts jewelry using gold, and platinum. We are also committed to using eco-friendly sources of metal. These are among the most durable and visually appealing metals, and are most commonly used in crafting jewelry. These metals are classified as precious as they are more rare and expensive than other commonly used metals. If you already know about metals, check out our guide on choose white gold vs. platinum.
Gold
A large portion of jewelry is forged with gold and this has been the case for centuries. Gold offers versatility in hue. It is available in white, yellow and rose shades most commonly. White gold is a great match with all gemstones and diamond and offers a versatile shine. Yellow gold is more traditional and pairs well with colored gemstones as well as diamonds. Finally, rose gold is a striking pink hue tharendy and unique choice.
Gold EducationPlatinum
A precious metal, platinum is more expensive and rare than gold. Platinum has a silvery white hue and is known for durability. Platinum is often chosen for it’s ability to resist abrasion or scratches. This fine metal pairs well with any gemstone or diamond. It is best used for jewelry like rings and wedding bands and pieces that will be worn regularly. With Clarity crafts platinum jewelry with high quality platinum.
Platinum EducationAlloy and Metals
We all take for granted the fact that we are able to purchase jewelry whenever we want, and the ability to choose the metal we would like on our rings. We seldom take thought of the metal that is used to make our rings as it is just there for us to choose. A lot of work goes into the manufacturing of Gold rings, as there are different alloys and different metals that are used in their manufacturing.
Alloys are metals that have been mixed with other elements to increase their strength and resist corrosion. Alloy is used because the properties that are found in metal are inadequate for some types of jobs. Iron can be a great material to use for building, but steel, (which is an alloy that is made with carbon and non-metallic material mixed together), is a harder, stronger and more rust-proof metal. Aluminum is light, but also soft in its purest form. Some of the metals that are usually used with gold as alloys to make jewelry are copper, iron, nickel, silver, tin, zinc, cadmium, titanium and manganese.
These alloys not only increase the strength of the gold, but also work in changing some other properties of gold. Some gold engagement rings cause a dark stain on the finger of the person wearing it and some cause allergic reactions, such as rashes and blisters. Because of the versatility of gold, it is very popular. Gold can be used to make many different shapes; if it is 18k or above, it will not get tarnished and will not cause irritation. White gold engagement rings, (or rings from gold that has been made with light materials and plated with rhodium), is a popular choice over a platinum engagement ring, because of its appearance and cost. It is categorized as platinum, and after silver, it is the whitest precious metal.

Advantages/Disadvantages of using different gold alloys for jewelry:
Platinum Metal
Platinum is normally marked with a PLAT, or “950pt.” if a ring contains 90% platinum it is hard and marked as 900pt, while if it is 50-90% it is marked PLAT and has no indicator of purity. Alloys which contain less than 50% of platinum is not marked based on FTC rules. The highest temperature for melting platinum is 950 parts platinum with 50 parts ruthenium, so it is hard to cast, while it is a darker gray than platinum mixed with iridium.
Setters recommend that this be used on diamond jewelry only, as diamonds require more pressure when they are being set. PT950/ru is extremely hard and as a result, more resistant to wear and tear over time.
PT 900 and 950/Ir are hard and medium alloys; one is relatively hard and the other malleable. Both are white and soft, so they are both great with handmade jewelry. The softer the metal, the longer the polishing process, but they are both more scratch and bend resistant than alloys that are harder. They also hold the stones better in the event of an impact and are both resistant to wear and tear. Platinum mixed with 50 parts cobalt (PT950/Co), is also somewhat hard. It is great for making fine jewelry and also for filigree jewelry. Great craftsmanship is as critical in the process as the material, but there is no alloy for platinum is better than any other.
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