Precious Metals Guide

What are precious metals?

Precious metals include gold, silver and platinum, while base metals include iron, copper, nickel, aluminium and zinc. Precious metals are considered high value due to their rarity and relative durability.

Platinum vs. Gold vs. Silver

The main differences between platinum, silver and gold are purity, color, and price. Learn about the composition, appearance, durability, cleaning & care, and skin sensitivity factors to consider for each precious metal.

Platinum ring image

Platinum

Composition: Platinum is a mixture of 95% pure platinum and 5% alloys (ruthenium/iridium). Platinum is considered the rarest of metals, and therefore tends to have a higher price than other precious metals. 

Appearance: Platinum is a lustrous silvery-white metal. 

Durability: Platinum is a dense and durable metal that maintains its color for a lifetime. Over time, the surface of platinum will develop a soft matte layer called a patina. 

Cleaning & Care: Under pressure, platinum is more likely to bend or move, so it’s recommended that link: platinum rings should be removed for physical activities that could put pressure on the ring. At From Earth, platinum can be refurbished for a fee to polish and restore its shine. To properly clean platinum, use warm water, mild dish soap (avoid harsh chemicals), a soft brush, and dry thoroughly. 

Skin Sensitivity: Platinum is hypoallergenic, making it a safe option for those with metal allergies. 

Recommendation: Consider platinum if you love the sleek look of this rare precious metal or have a metal allergy.

Link: shop platinum engagement rings |shop platinum wedding bands

Image 2x rings

White Gold

Composition: The composition of white gold is 75% gold and 25% alloys, which include nickel. White gold gets its signature color from the plating added to the ring called rhodium link: rhodium info 

Appearance: Similar silvery appearance to platinum, with a mirrored finish and white hue.  

Durability: White gold is very durable. In order to maintain a bright, white finish, white gold must be re-rhodium plated periodically, depending on wear and tear.  

Cleaning & Care: Use warm water, mild dish soap, a soft brush, dry thoroughly and avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning white gold.  

Skin Sensitivity: If nickel is used as an alloy, white gold is not recommended for those with a nickel allergy.  

Recommendation: White gold is recommended for those without nickel allergies, and who prefer a metal that maintains its shine versus the look of a patina.

Link: shop white gold engagement rings | shop white gold wedding bands

Image: 2 Yellow Gold Rings

Yellow Gold

Composition: 18K yellow gold is alloyed with 25% copper and zinc. 24K yellow gold is not alloyed and is 100% pure gold. 

Appearance: With its rich hue, yellow gold has a distinct and timeless look.  

Durability: 18K yellow gold is more durable due to its alloy content. Normal wear considerations apply, so any yellow gold pieces should be removed during activities where they may endure pressure or impact. 

Cleaning & Care: Gold is naturally yellow, therefore the color of one’s ring will remain consistent over its life and does not need routine maintenance. When cleaning yellow gold, use warm water, mild dish soap, a soft brush, dry thoroughly, and avoid harsh chemicals.  

Skin Sensitivity: Skin reactions to the alloys in 18K yellow gold (copper and zinc) are uncommon.  

Recommendation: Consider yellow gold for a timeless look. From Earth offers ethically sourced fair mined gold

Link: shop yellow gold engagement rings | shop yellow gold wedding bands

Image: Rose Gold Ring

Rose Gold

Composition: 14K rose gold is alloyed with approximately 40% copper to get the beautiful rosy, pink hue. 

Appearance: Known for its blush tone, rose gold makes a bold statement.  

Durability: Normal wear considerations apply, so any rose gold pieces should be removed during activities where they may endure pressure or impact. 

Cleaning & Care: Since rose gold's color comes from the alloy combination as opposed to a plating, rose gold does not require re-plating or routine maintenance. When cleaning rose gold, use warm water, mild dish soap, a soft brush, dry thoroughly, and avoid harsh chemicals. 

Skin Sensitivity: Skin reactions to copper, the alloy in rose gold, is uncommon. 

Recommendation: Rose gold is recommended for a stylish flair.

Link: shop rose gold engagement rings | shop rose gold wedding bands 

Image: Silver Jewellery

Silver

Composition: Sterling silver is always referred to as “925,” which indicates that it is comprised of 92.5% silver, and 7.5% alloys. True sterling silver is stamped with 925 or SS. 

Appearance: Silver has a grayish-white hue with a more reflective color than white gold. 

Durability: Silver is softer than white gold, due to the lower levels of alloys.  

Cleaning & Care: Sterling silver may tarnish or dull when exposed to oxygen and humidity. When possible, keep your silver in an air-tight container. To remove tarnish and keep your silver bright, gently rub the piece with a jewellery cleaning cloth. Then rinse the silver thoroughly in warm water and dry it carefully. More extensive tarnish can be removed with liquid silver cleaner or by a jeweller. Chlorine and bleach accelerate tarnishing and should be avoided. When silver is close to your skin it helps to slow down the tarnishing process—and even gives it a bit of self-polish.   

Skin Sensitivity: Choose silver that has been alloyed with copper and zinc instead of nickel, to make it perfect for those with nickel allergies.  

Recommendation: Silver offers a reflective, sleek, and slightly more affordable alternative to platinum.

Link: shop silver jewellery

How to Tell the Difference Between Platinum, White Gold, and Silver Jewellery

Platinum, white gold and silver are all similar in appearance, yet have subtle differences. Platinum has a naturally white, and bright hue, while white gold’s appearance has a creamier color with a yellow undertone and mirror-like finish. Silver has a gray-white color, with a naturally duller cast and true sterling silver is stamped with 925 or SS. 14K White Gold is stamped with 14K, 18K White Gold with 18K, Platinum with PT, 14K Rose Gold with 14K, 14K Yellow Gold 14K and 18K Yellow Gold with 18K. The only true verification of whether a precious metal is platinum, white gold or silver is through a reputable jeweller’s test.

Gold Vermeil vs. Gold Plated vs. Gold Filled

Learn about the differences among gold vermeil, gold-plated and gold-filled jewellery, comparing appearance, durability, cleaning and care as well as skin sensitivities.

Image: Gold Bangle 

Gold Vermeil 

Composition: Vermeil is a style of gold plating also known as silver gilt. Link: vermeil jewellery must have a sterling silver base with a coating of gold laid over the top. Ideal vermeil is 14K gold that is a minimum of 2.5 microns thick. 

Appearance & Durability: Thicker layers of gold make gold vermeil more resistant to signs of wear, so gold vermeil retains its shine and resists tarnish if cared for properly. 

Cleaning & Care: To care for your vermeil pieces, remove vermeil jewellery before showering or swimming in chlorine or salt water or participating in activities that will cause you to sweat. It is always best to remove vermeil jewellery before applying makeup, lotion, perfume or hand sanitizer. Store it where it won't rub against other hard surfaces. To clean, gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth. 

Skin Sensitivity: Typically, gold vermeil is hypoallergenic. 

Recommendation: Gold vermeil is a high quality and durable yet affordable link: gold jewellery option.

Link: Shop Gold Vermeil Jewellery

Gold-Plated

Composition: Gold-plated jewellery has a gold layer at a minimum of .5 microns of gold which is adhered to copper or brass base metals. 

Appearance & Durability: The plating is more prone to damage from wear and tear as compared to gold-filled and gold vermeil. 

Cleaning & Care: As gold-plated jewellery is less resistant to wear and tear due to the thin layer of plating, it’s recommended to remove it before showering or swimming in chlorine or salt water, or participating in activities that will cause you to sweat. It’s also important to remove gold-plated jewellery before applying makeup, lotion, perfume, or hand sanitizer. Store it where it won't rub against other hard surfaces. To clean, gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth. 

Skin Sensitivity: Metals used in gold-plated jewellery might cause irritation. 

Recommendation: Gold-plated jewellery is the lowest cost option when compared to gold vermeil and gold-filled jewellery.  

Gold-Filled

Composition: Gold-filled jewellery consists of gold mechanically, soldered or welded to the base metal, often copper or brass. Gold-filled jewellery must contain 5% gold by weight.  

Appearance & Durability: Due to the higher content of gold, gold-filled jewellery retains its quality for a longer period of time. 

Cleaning & Care: It is recommended to remove gold-filled jewellery before showering or swimming in chlorine or salt water and participating in activities that will cause you to sweat. It’s also important to remove gold-plated jewellery before applying makeup, lotion, perfume, or hand sanitizer. Store it where it won't rub against other hard surfaces. To clean, gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth. 

Skin Sensitivity: Typically, gold-filled jewellery is hypoallergenic. 

Recommendation: Gold-filled jewellery is another higher quality yet affordable gold jewellery option. 

What is a karat?

Karat is defined as a measurement of the purity of gold. Below are details on gold percentages for all karats. As a note, these percentages do vary slightly from jeweller to jeweller. 

• The highest karat gold is 24 karat (24K) gold, as it is pure gold alloyed with no other metals.  

• 10 karat (10K) gold is usually the least pure gold. It features 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals.

What is the difference between karat and carat?

Karat is a measurement of the purity of gold. Carat refers to the weight of a link: gemstone or diamond.

What is the highest karat of gold?

The highest karat gold is 24 karat (24K) gold, as it is pure gold alloyed with no other metals. This means that it has zero impurities and is usually softer than lower karats—10K and 14K.

Does a higher karat mean higher quality of gold?

There are many different karat levels of gold. The higher the karat, the fewer other metals added to it during the refining process. 24K use in link: wedding bands and other link: jewellery is limited because its softness means that it can’t hold fine details like subtle curves on intricate designs. Thus, 10K gold is the most durable, containing 41.7% pure gold.