PRECIOUS METALS GLOSSARY
24k Gold
Gold purity content is categorized using the karat system. Pure gold is 24k, it is extremely soft, it bends, warps and scratches easily making it an unlikely metal for jewelry that needs to retain its shape.
18 karat gold is made up of 75% gold and 25% alloy. This type of gold is referred to as 18 karat because 18 out of the 24 parts that make up the gold are pure gold. 18k gold is usually the most pure form of gold used for rings, watches and other wearable jewelry.
14 karat gold is made up of 58.3% gold and 41.7% alloy, or 14 out of 24 parts gold. 14k gold is a popular gold for jewelry, its color is slightly less saturated and intense than 18 karat gold, with greater durability and affordability.
Essentially, gold plated jewelry is the same thing as vermeil jewelry, only the base metal is of a lower quality than silver, such as copper or brass. In contrast to vermeil, there are no specific requirements for gold plated jewelry. The gold can be of any quality, and the electroplated layer can be any thickness.
Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other alloys. Fine silver jewelry pieces are stamped with 925 to mark their authenticity, unalloyed silver is too brittle to be used for jewelry. As one theory goes, King Henry II dubbed the durable coins made of silver alloy in circulation "Easterling coins," which evolved into "sterling" silver. Today, the pound sterling remains the U.K.'s standard unit of currency.
Gold purity content is categorized using the karat system. Pure gold is 24k, it is extremely soft, it bends, warps and scratches easily making it an unlikely metal for jewelry that needs to retain its shape.
18k Gold
18 karat gold is made up of 75% gold and 25% alloy. This type of gold is referred to as 18 karat because 18 out of the 24 parts that make up the gold are pure gold. 18k gold is usually the most pure form of gold used for rings, watches and other wearable jewelry.
14k Gold
14 karat gold is made up of 58.3% gold and 41.7% alloy, or 14 out of 24 parts gold. 14k gold is a popular gold for jewelry, its color is slightly less saturated and intense than 18 karat gold, with greater durability and affordability.
Gold Plated
Essentially, gold plated jewelry is the same thing as vermeil jewelry, only the base metal is of a lower quality than silver, such as copper or brass. In contrast to vermeil, there are no specific requirements for gold plated jewelry. The gold can be of any quality, and the electroplated layer can be any thickness.
18k Gold Vermeil
18k gold vermeil is a 2-3 microns thick coating of 18k gold on sterling silver, usually 10 times the thickness of standard plating for greater durability, hardness and affordability. As vermeil jewelry is composed of two precious metals (gold and silver), it’s usually thought of as being closer to fine jewelry and tends to fall under the category “demi-fine”.
Rhodium Vermeil
Rhodium is a member of the platinum family, and rhodium vermeil is an electroplated coating of rhodium on sterling silver. Rhodium is a silvery-white, hard and corrosion-resistant precious metal that reflects 80% of light, giving one of the best sheens achievable on white gold or sterling silver jewelry. The results are creations of bold, dramatic and sculptural jewelry.925 Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other alloys. Fine silver jewelry pieces are stamped with 925 to mark their authenticity, unalloyed silver is too brittle to be used for jewelry. As one theory goes, King Henry II dubbed the durable coins made of silver alloy in circulation "Easterling coins," which evolved into "sterling" silver. Today, the pound sterling remains the U.K.'s standard unit of currency.