About our Metals and Care of your purchase

Stainless Steel Vs Sterling Silver

Both metals are used in jewelry, silver in color and durable. But, what is the difference between them?

Firstly, “sterling silver” is created as an alloy of silver and other metals. Silver in its purest form is much too soft to be made into jewelry. Sterling silver is easy for jewelers to work with; therefore, sterling silver jewelry can be made into various intricate designs. Sterling silver is also found to be less expensive than other metals.

Unfortunately, silver does tarnish and oxidize over time. Because silver is still relatively soft, it may be susceptible to wear such as scratches or dents. If you are looking for an alternative to silver, stainless steel is a great choice.

Stainless steel is also an alloy and is made up of a percentage of chromium. You may think of appliances when you think of stainless steel, but each type of stainless steel is made of a different alloy. The stainless steel used in jewelry does not oxidize or tarnish and it holds up to wear much better. The cost for stainless steel jewelry is generally comparable to silver.

Stainless steel has become a favorite for men’s jewelry, particularly watches and jewelry that are worn daily as the wear is less noticeable. Sterling silver will not get scratched or dented however and, therefore, holds its shine.

A third option, outside the debate, is titanium. Titanium is lighter than stainless steel and resistant to corrosion. Jewelry made with titanium holds up under water and is also stronger than steel. However, if jewelry is made with Titanium and cracks, it cannot be repaired. Titanium is also more costly than silver or stainless steel.

Gold is a precious commodity that is used to manufacture coins, artifacts and jewelry. It also has health uses, such as in dental implants and crowns. The value of gold is measured by purity, which is determined by the number of other metals the gold contains. Gold dealers use several methods to evaluate the purity of gold, including the use of nitric acid. Typically, gold is offered in 10, 14, 18 and 24-carat choices, each representing a different level of purity.

Composition

• Though 24-carat gold is the softest of all gold carats, it is still the most expensive gold available for purchase. 24-carat gold is defined as 100 percent pure. 18-carat gold is considered 75 percent pure because only 18 of its 24 parts are gold. Fourteen-carat gold is 58.3 percent pure, as 14 out of its 24 parts are made of gold, and 10-carat gold is 41.6 percent pure, with only 10 of its 24 parts consisting of gold.

Alloys

• Because 24-carat gold is pure, it is not combined with another type of metal, which is not the case for 18, 14 and 10-carat gold. Metals added to these gold carats are known as alloys, which can affect the price of the gold. Commonly used alloys include silver, copper, zinc, nickel, palladium and platinum. The price of gold jewelry is dependent in part on the kind of alloy it contains. In general, a platinum alloy is the most expensive because of its durability and purity.

Yellow, White and Rose

• Differences exist in gold colors based on the alloy the gold contains. Yellow gold is typically 14 and 18-carat gold and has a deep orange tint. Zinc and silver are common alloys in yellow gold, which hardens the jewelry but preserves the rich color. White gold is also produced from 14 and 18-carat gold, but contains alloys such as silver, platinum and palladium, which dilutes the gold hue and creates a silver color that looks very similar to pure platinum jewelry. Rose gold is less common than yellow and white gold and contains a copper alloy that gives the gold a pink-rose hue. It is generally produced from 10 and 14-carat gold.

  Pearl maintenance

  Pearls, both natural and cultured, are an organic product. And that means that, like most other products of nature, they need the proper care in order to maintain their beauty. So how exactly do you keep your pearls and pearl jewellery in good condition?

  Avoid high temperatures
  The mother of pearl which surrounds a pearl actually consists of thin layers. These layers are held together by an organic material called “conchine”. If a pearl is exposed to higher temperatures for a prolonged period of time, the conchine can dry out which will affect the colour and lustre of the pearl in a negative way. So store your pearls in an environment with modest temperatures (out of direct sunlight) and do not wear your pearls while sunbathing.

  Avoid chemicals
  A pearl’s surface can easily be affected by chemicals. Think of household detergents, cleaning products, the chlorine in swimming water. But also cosmetic products, perfume and even your own perspiration can damage the mother of pearl layer.

  Before and after wearing your pearls
  If you are going to wear your pearls, make sure you put them on after bathing, after using hairspray or perfume and after you have put on your make-up. After wearing pearl jewellery (especially pearl necklaces) it is important to clean the pearls with a soft, damp cloth. If necessary, you can wipe off your pearls with a little bit of alcohol to remove any dirt or skin oil. Always put your pearl jewellery back into their own jewellery box: never store pearl jewellery together with other jewellery pieces to avoid scratching.

  In general, consider the following “rules of thumb” to keep your pearls pretty
  

  • Wear your pearl jewellery regularly to avoid the mother of pearl layer drying out.
  • Avoid your pearls to come in to contact with cosmetic products, perfume, hairspray, cleaning products or other chemicals.
  • Do not wear your pearl jewellery while taking a bath or shower or while swimming.
  • Do not wear your pearl jewellery during activities which will cause perspiring.
  • Always clean your pearls after wearing them
  • Store your pearls in a separate jewellery box to avoid scratching by other pieces of jewellery