Platinum
Platinum is the strongest precious metal used in jewellery. Its high melting point ensures good resistance to corrosion and chemical attacks. Each time other metals are scratched or polished, a tiny bit of the metal is lost. Though a scratch in platinum may leave a mark, the metal is so strong that it will not readily chip or splinter. Some appealing characteristics of platinum are its subtle beauty and its tendency not to add colour of its own. This helps enhance the natural brilliance and fire of a diamond because the light entering the diamond does not take on the colour of the platinum. This makes platinum a popular choice for diamond jewellery settings.To make sure that the jewellery you are purchasing is indeed platinum, check the amount of platinum content on the back of the piece. Look for the marks of "950Pt", "950 Plat", or "Plat", to ensure that the jewellery does indeed contain platinum.When cleaning your platinum a warm solution of water and mild soap can be used. Soak the piece in the solution and gently scrub it with a soft-bristle brush. By doing this you will be able to maintain the metal's lustre.
Gold
Due to its physical characteristics, gold is extremely well suited for use in jewellery making. Gold will not tarnish, rust, or corrode, and even though it is very strong, it is the most malleable of all metals. Gold in its purest form (24k) is too soft to be used in functional jewellery. Abrasions caused by daily wear would begin to degrade a piece of jewellery made from 24k gold. Therefore it is alloyed with other metals to give it strength. The percentages of alloys that are added to the metal determine the colour of gold. When alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc, the shade of yellow will vary. When alloyed with nickel, copper, and zinc, it becomes white gold. Yellow and white gold share the same strength and malleability characteristics. The purity of gold is measured in karats. 24k is 100% pure gold and is far too soft for jewellery. 18k is 75% pure gold and is recommended for fine jewellery. 12k is 50% pure gold and is unacceptable for jewellery. Gold's value depends on its purity and weight. Also taken into consideration are the design and the construction of the piece of jewellery. To care for your gold jewellery, avoid exposing it to chlorine and other harsh cleansing agents. To clean your gold jewellery, wash it in a warm solution of water and a non-detergent soap. Scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush. Finally, store your gold jewellery in its own soft cloth pouch or individual compartment in a jewellery case. Following these recommendations will help to maintain the lustre of your gold jewellery.
Silver
The silver jewellery and accessories available at Acpl Exports are made of beautiful sterling silver. For our collection, we have chosen classic designs created by some of the finest silver craftsmen. This guide will help you learn to identify quality in silver jewellery and accessoriesSterling SilverPure silver, also called fine silver, is relatively soft, very malleable, and easily damaged so it is commonly combined with other metals to produce a more durable product. The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Although any metal can make up the 7.5 percent non-silver portion of sterling, centuries of experimentation have shown copper to be its best companion, improving the metal's hardness and durability without affecting its beautiful colour. The small amount of copper added to sterling has very little effect on the metal's value. Instead, the price of the silver item is affected by the labour involved in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, and the intricacy of the design.
Silver Alloys
Because pure silver is so soft, it should only be used when malleability is required, such as in handcrafted jewellery featuring weaving and other intricate designs. Sterling silver is most often used for jewellery and household accessories because of its combination of beauty and durability. Most high quality silver items are stamped with a "fineness" or "quality" mark. This mark designates the precious metal content of the jewellery, and under federal law, must be accompanied by a maker's mark or registered trademark. Acceptable quality marks for sterling silver include: sterling; sterling silver; ster; and, .925.
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