Care and Cleaning for Your Precious Metals

Properly caring for your jewelry is essential to ensuring it lasts a lifetime and always looks its best. The metals and gemstones in your favorite pieces each have unique properties and care requirements. At Diamonds & Gold, our certified staff can help you understand these details and keep your jewelry in top condition.

A Guide to Popular Jewelry Metals

Knowing the properties of your jewelry’s metals is the first step to protecting them.

• Yellow Gold: A timeless classic, this dense, deep yellow metal is naturally rare. It’s often alloyed with other metals for strength and is measured in karats (10k, 14k, 18k), with 24k being pure gold.

• White Gold: An alloy of gold and at least one white metal like palladium or silver. It naturally has a yellowish tint, which is why it’s finished with a rhodium plating for a brilliant white shine. This plating can wear off over time but is easily reapplied.

• Platinum: Naturally white and heavy, platinum is a rare, expensive metal used in a nearly pure form. It’s naturally hypoallergenic and requires no plating.

• Palladium: This metal is a great alternative to platinum and white gold. It’s naturally white, costs about the same as 18k gold, and is part of the noble platinum group of metals.

• Titanium: As a “new millennium” metal, titanium is 99% pure, lightweight, and incredibly durable. It has a beautiful gray luster and is hypoallergenic.

• Tungsten Carbide: A charcoal-gray metal that is highly scratch-resistant and maintains its polish. It’s made by processing tungsten with carbon and is also hypoallergenic.

• Sterling Silver: A classic alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Pure silver is too soft for most jewelry, so it’s alloyed for added strength and durability while maintaining its beauty.