PRECIOUS METALS

White Gold versus Platinum…..

Did you know that 18 carat white gold is 75% pure yellow gold? The colour is changed to white gold by adding alloys (25% of the total mix) and coating the jewellery with bright white rhodium. The quality of white gold is determined by the choice of alloys used to alter the colour. When the rhodium plating begins to wear (approx 6-12 months) the true colour of the gold is revealed. If the gold has been mixed with nickel, the white gold will appear quite yellow. If mixed with platinum and palladium alloys, the white gold will appear much whiter and brighter, hence requiring less maintenance.

Deborah Windfield Jewellery uses only the finest quality white gold with platinum and palladium content.

Platinum is the rarest and most valuable of all precious metals. It is a pure and natural white alloy and weighs approximately 50% more than gold. It does not fade, or tarnish and it is hypoallergenic. The premium quality platinum used in jewellery should be 95% pure for strength and durability. Platinum settings do not require rhodium plating. Platinum is a denser metal which maintains its integrity over time above and beyond other metals.

9ct Gold versus 18ct Gold…..

Most people have always believed, or been told, that 9 carat gold is harder, or harder wearing, than 18 carat gold.

This is not true … as 9ct gold has less parts of pure gold in its makeup (only 9 parts out of 24 parts of pure gold – 18ct gold has 18 parts out of 24). It is also much less resistant to chemical attack in normal use than 18ct gold. 9ct alloys will go dull or even black merely from exposure to certain chemicals in the atmosphere. They will also discolour in contact with perspiration, chlorine in swimming pools, medication taken by the wearer, bleach and other household chemicals.

18ct Gold contains twice as much gold as 9 carat which makes it more expensive … but in terms of durability and performance – including a resistance to corrosion – 18ct gold has such excellent all round properties that it can be declared the best gold alloy standard for fine jewellery.