18K GOLD, PALLADIUM GOLD OR PLATINUM?
We have noticed during our appointments that many customers often ask about the difference between 18k 750/1000 White Gold and 950/1000 Platinum. It is true that the color is almost identical, but why is there a price difference between the two?
The choice of metal for a piece of jewelry, a wedding ring or a diamond engagement ring is a matter of taste, but this choice must also take into account the characteristics of the different metals. For a diamond engagement ring or a wedding ring, a piece of jewelry that is kept for life, the metals must last over time and this depends on their characteristics. Indeed, gold will not wear the same as platinum for example.
18K GOLD FOR JEWELRY
As for gold, it is its weight in carats that is taken into account: 18k (or carats) is the indication that allows you to see the quality of gold contained in the jewel. Moreover, 18k Gold is also called 750 Gold. Gold is a very malleable metal, which is why 18k Gold is the most used. Indeed, it allows jewelers to provide resistance and solidity to jewelry. (Fun fact: 18k Gold is also used for the manufacture of dental gold)
18k Gold has different qualities that are perfect for jewelry creation:
● A good resistance to breakage
● Resistance to the wear and tear of time and corrosion
● Easy handling for jewelers
● Keeps the shine and beauty of Gold
You have probably already heard the term pure 24k Gold. However, this gold is very rarely used in jewelry creation because it is too "soft" to be worked.
In order to be more malleable and easy to work, pure Gold is mixed with an alloy. The result of this mix is 18k Gold! Be careful, the mix of pure Gold with an alloy keeps a ratio of 75% gold necessarily, or the 750 thousandths mentioned earlier.
18k Gold is recognized and legal in Europe and internationally. 24k Gold and 18k Gold are the only alloys reputed to be universal. Other alloys will be considered specific to a country or regions of the world, for example 12k Gold is used in the United States and South Africa.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF 18K GOLD ALLOYS?
18k Gold is composed of 75% pure Gold and therefore 25% other metals. If we do the conversion, a piece of jewelry weighing 10 grams is therefore composed of 7.5 grams of pure Gold and 2.5 grams of other metals. Today there are an infinite number of Gold colors (yellow, gray, blue, pink, red...) so the composition of 18k Gold is different depending on the colors of the Gold. For example:
● 18k Yellow Gold is composed of 75% pure gold + 12.5% silver + 12.5% copper
● 18k Rose Gold is composed of 75% pure gold + 5% silver + 20% copper
● White or gray Gold is composed of 75% pure gold + 25% (silver, copper and palladium)
We notice that for all the different alloys, the composition is always 75% pure Gold.
WHAT IS THE HALLMARK FOR 18K GOLD?
Jewelry usually features a hallmark, most often positioned in a non-visible location: inside the ring, on the back of a medal, etc. This hallmark is a mark of authenticity, it also allows you to know if the jewelry is made of gold, silver or other. The hallmark varies depending on the metal. For 18k Gold in France, the hallmark represents a royal eagle's head.
This royal eagle's head allows to distinguish 18k Gold in France, internationally, there is a universal hallmark which is represented by a diamond and the inscription 750. The number recalls the percentage of pure Gold in the jewelry (750/1000). (Fun fact: Jewelry weighing less than 3 grams often only have the number 750 as a hallmark).
THE 800/1000 GRAY GOLD AT CELINNI:
In jewelry, we often talk about white gold. In reality, this term is used to refer to gray gold. Gray gold is an alloy of pure gold and other white metals.
This gold is covered with a thin layer of rhodium which can disappear over time and with friction, which gives a gray/yellow color to the gold. (Fact: In France and Europe, nickel was heavily used in the alloy of gray gold. However, it is now banned, as it is a source of allergies).
In order to avoid too rapid disappearances of rhodium, the Celinni works with 800/1000 gold. The metal is then made up of 80% gold. This increase of 5% compared to 18k Gold allows to keep this upper layer longer and therefore to keep the white color of the jewel longer.
PALLADIUM PLATED WHITE GOLD FOR JEWELRY
The use of this metal is quite recent in jewelry. This metal is part of the precious metals and the platinum family. This means that its properties are close to platinum and thus allows the setting to stay white longer.
The "basic" gray gold, which is usually covered with a thin layer of rhodium, is called rhodium-plated gray gold. The difference between palladium gray gold is that a rhodium-plated gray gold jewel will yellow more easily. But it is easy to remedy this by applying a new layer of rhodium! Palladium gray gold has a warmer and rawer hue
The alloy of this gold contains pure gold, 5% silver, 7% copper, and 13% palladium. Palladium is a metal that is part of the platinum family.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PALLADIUM WHITE GOLD?
This precious and noble metal is the most expensive of all. It is considered rare, unalterable, stainless, and malleable. It is naturally white and never loses its bright shine! Palladium is a more resistant and harder metal. It is also denser than gold and therefore about 40% heavier than a similar gold jewel.
Rhodium plating is a process that restores shine to a jewel that has already been worn. On a palladium gray gold jewel, rhodium plating is possible but not necessary. If the color of your jewel were to vary, a simple polishing without chemical agent will restore its shine. If you wish to perform rhodium plating on your jewel, it will then take on a whiter and brighter appearance. To learn more about rhodium plating, click here.
THE PLATINUM FOR JEWELRY
Platinum is an ancient metal used in jewelry. It is often thought that platinum is a recent metal because of the way it is currently worked. But its history is indeed much longer than that. The Egyptians are believed to have used this metal and it was also used for jewelry making in the 17th century.
Platinum was used during the 2nd World War as a strategic metal thanks to its properties: strong, unalterable and stainless. It is still very present in the industry.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PLATINUM?
In jewelry, platinum is used pure at 95%. (Fun fact: there are jewels containing less platinum, but it remains present at a minimum of 85%). Platinum is a totally stainless white metal! It's a dream for jewelry, indeed a platinum jewel will not tarnish over time and will keep its shine. Indeed, a platinum jewel will not tarnish over time and will keep its shine. Thus, the advantage of Platinum is that it requires no maintenance except for a polish every 4 years.
Another asset of platinum is its hypoallergenic power, for delicate skin, it's ideal.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF PLATINUM?
Platinum is rarer than gold, but also more expensive. Platinum also has a higher weight due to its density. A platinum jewel of equal volume will be heavier than the same jewel in gold, the bill will also be higher.
The use of platinum requires a high level of expertise. Indeed, platinum is more difficult to work with for the craftsman, polishing for example is a delicate step that will take longer. So the time spent on this piece of jewelry will be charged at a higher price. Thus, it is for the higher working time of the craftsmen that the price of a Platinum jewel will cost more than a white gold jewel.
Finally, the latter will tend to become matte over time and will shine less than White Gold.
WHAT IS THE HALLMARK OF PLATINUM?
The hallmark of platinum varies according to its purity:
● For 99% platinum, the hallmark will represent an emperor penguin
● A dog's head followed by a number on its right to specify the purity rate: 1 = 95%, 2 = 90% and 3 = 85%. (Fun fact: generally, platinum jewelry is 95% so the hallmark will be a dog's head followed by a 1)
● For 85% platinum, the hallmark will represent a mascaron head
CONCLUSION
If you wish to create a custom diamond ring or piece of jewelry that is quite complex, you should opt for white gold for your ring.
If you want a ring, a piece of jewelry, a wedding band or a solitaire that lasts longer and requires no maintenance, then we recommend you choose platinum.
You will need to discuss with us afterwards, to determine the contours of your budget allocated for the purchase of your ring or your piece of jewelry, to offer you the best possible value for money.
2) Recently a huge rough diamond of over 1,000 carats was discovered in Botswana, its discovery made headlines around the world and everyone was talking about it. This is yet another proof that diamonds cause a stir!
3) The diamond was formed shortly after the formation of the Earth, so most diamonds are billions of years old. Do you think this physical raw material will ever be abandoned?
THE DIAMOND DEALER'S ADVICE
The choice of metal for a jewelry piece should be well thought out. We are here to inform and support you.
● If you are looking for a metal for an engagement ring or a wedding band, prefer a metal that does not deteriorate too much over time
● Stay true to your tastes, if you dream of a yellow gold piece of jewelry, choose it
● Every piece of jewelry, even made of a metal that does not deteriorate, needs to be maintained. To find out how to maintain your jewelry, click here.
Congratulations! You now know everything about the different alloys, for more information do not hesitate to contact us!
BUY A RING, A WEDDING BAND, A SOLITAIRE OR A JEWEL IN WHITE GOLD OR PLATINUM?
Are you looking for information, a quote, or an appointment to purchase a ring or a piece of jewelry in White Gold or Platinum? Do not hesitate to visit our online jewelry store Celinni.com to discover our various jewelry collections, or to contact one of our showrooms if you want a custom-made piece, a field in which we have been specialists for 6 generations. In both cases, we offer our customers the opportunity to buy a ring or a piece of jewelry in White Gold or Platinum at the best quality/price ratio and the best possible price.
