Learn About Precious Metals
Learn about the characteristics of different types of precious metals as well as their suitability for various types of jewellery. Follow the links below to read about each of the different metals.
Learn about the characteristics of different types of precious metals as well as their suitability for various types of jewellery. Follow the links below to read about each of the different metals.
Precious Metals
Most fine jewellery is made from alloys that contain either pure gold or pure platinum. Find out more about the different metal options available at Larsen Jewellery.
For a comparison of White Gold and Platinum, you may also want to read our description of the pros and cons of White Gold vs Platinum.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold, or gold, is a naturally occurring precious metal. Pure gold is very soft and bends out of shape very easily. The yellow gold that we use in jewellery is alloyed with other metals to provide a strengthening effect.
Rose Gold
Rose gold is an alloy of pure gold that is mixed with copper to give a warmer, rosier colour. It is also sometimes known as pink gold or red gold.
White Gold
White gold is an alloy of pure gold mixed with white metals such as nickel, silver and palladium, and usually features a rhodium plating to give it that extra bright white appearance.
Platinum
Platinum is a naturally occurring white metal, which is used in jewellery in almost Its pure form (95%). This metal is heavier than gold and does not need to be rhodium plated.
Titanium
Titanium is a natural element which has a silver-greyish-white colour. Titanium is the hardest natural metal in the world. It is very strong, three times the strength of steel and much stronger than gold, silver and platinum and yet is very light weight.
Mokume Gane
Mokume Gane is a Japanese metalworking technique, whose name roughly translates to “woodgrain metal” names after it’s unique swirling wood-like patterns.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is a more affordable white/ grey metal that is often used in jewellery. As it is a softer metal that tarnishes easier than gold and platinum, it is not commonly used for everyday wear or high-end fine jewellery.
