About Precious Metals
Gold
When buying gold, always look for the karat mark. All other things being equal, the higher the karat,
the more expensive the piece of jewelry.
In the U.S., 14-karat gold is 14/24 or 58.33% parts pure gold, is the most common degree of fineness.
The 14-karat gold is usually marked with 14K, 14KT, or 585.
10-karat gold is 10/24 or 41.66% pure gold. Nothing less than 10 karats can legally be marked or sold
as gold jewelry in the U.S. Gold that is 10-karat is marked with 10K, 10KT, or 417.
The most common gold sold in the world is 18-karat. It includes more pure gold. 18-karat is 18/24 or
75% pure gold; which is usually marked 18K, 18KT, or 750.
Gold is durable, sturdy, and dependable and makes an ideal setting for fine jewelry. 18-karat gold
wears less quickly compared to 10-karat or 14-karat gold, over time.
Tips to Care for Gold Jewelry
To get a lifetime of enjoyment from your gold jewelry, be sure to keep it clean and safe. Do not wear
your jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals. Store the fine jewelry in a box away
from other pieces to preserve it from being scratched; preferably a jewelry box. Finally, in rings,
check the settings at least twice a year for any damage to the mounting. You do not realize how much
you use your hands until you wear a ring or bracelet. If you see something out of the ordinary on your
ring, bring it into Princess Jewelry and one of our representatives will help you.
Platinum
Only about one-third of the platinum mined today is used in jewelry. The appeal of platinum is in
its appearance; its white luster is unique. It is also the strongest precious metal used in jewelry;
making it ideal to last a long time over wear. Platinum is almost twice as heavy as 14-karat gold. The
weight is one of platinum's strongest selling points, because it gives "heft" to fine jewelry.
Platinum in jewelry is actually an alloyed group of six heavy metals, including platinum, palladium,
rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. These other metals are so similar to platinum in weight and
chemistry that most were not even distinguished from each other. It's the only precious metal used in
fine jewelry that is 90% to 95% pure, largely hypoallergenic, and tarnish-resistant. Platinum is
marked 900PT, 950 PLAT, or PLAT.
At Princess Jewelry, we use 95% platinum (950 platinum) alloyed with 5% ruthenium to manufacture our jewelry.
Tips to Care for Platinum Jewelry
Just like gold, platinum requires a very similar care. To get a lifetime of enjoyment from your jewelry,
be sure to keep it clean. Do not wear platinum jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals.
Store it in a fabric-lined box away from other pieces so it does not get scratched. Check any diamonds or
gemstone settings periodically for possible damage to prongs or bezels. If you see any issues with your
jewelry, contact Princess Jewelry for assistance.
Palladium
Palladium is a soft silver-white metal that resembles platinum. It has almost the exact same characteristics
of platinum except it is less dense and has a lower melting point compared to platinum or the other platinum
group of metals. Palladium is a great alternative to platinum and less expensive than platinum. The wear on
palladium jewelry is similar to platinum.
Rhodium
Rhodium is extremely hard and bright. Its primary use in jewelry is as a plating agent to give white gold
an extra shine. It also is sometimes used as an alloying agent for hardening platinum and palladium. Rhodium
has both a higher melting point and lower density than platinum. It is not attached by acids and only dissolves
in aqua regia. It is one of the most expensive precious metals.
Silver
Silver is a soft, white and lustrous metal. Jewelry made with silver and stamped 925 is called sterling
silver. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver. In order for jewelry to be stamped 925 silver, it must
have 92.5% pure fine silver and 7.5% cooper. Silver is a sturdy, durable dependable metal. Silver is used
in all types of jewelry; as well as silverware.
Tips to Care for Silver Jewelry
Silver is durable, sturdy, and dependable and makes an ideal setting for your gemstones in your jewelry.
However, to get a lifetime of enjoyment from your silver jewelry, be sure to keep it clean and safe. Silver
does tarnish when exposed. The best way to keep silver clean is to use a silver cleaner or cloth. Do not wear
jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals. Store it in a box away from other pieces to
preserve it from being scratched or tarnished.