The Metals

Platinum

Often referred to as a hard metal, this can be misleading. Pure platinum is in fact softer than pure gold, it is the other constituents of the alloy that make it hard wearing. The most common 950 (95% pure) alloy is the hardest of the precious metals used in jewellery.

Platinum is very durable and takes a fine polish that is resistant to wear. It is naturally a greyish white and is often rhodium plated to make it even whiter. It requires a higher level of craftsmanship and also being rarer than gold, explains why it is worth the extra expense. Platinum and white gold are not the same.

Gold

Many believe, including some jewellers, that the higher the carat of gold the softer the metal (gold is a soft metal). Thus 9 carat gold, being alloyed with other metals tends to be more resistant to scratching than say 22-carat gold. This is not necessarily the case. Many manufacturers producing 18 carat gold jewellery ensure that, as the jewellery is higher quality, the alloy is harder wearing. This way when you have bought a piece of fine jewellery it will last a long time.

916 (91.6% pure) 22-carat gold
750 (75% pure) 18-carat gold
585 (58.5% pure) 14-carat gold
375 (37.5% pure) 9-cart gold

Gold also comes in various colours such as white gold, rose gold, green gold and of course yellow gold.

Silver

Silver is one of the precious metals. It can achieve a great polish and does not tarnish in its pure form. Most silver jewellery is silver combined with other metals as an alloy. This makes it more suitable for general use. Sterling silver, like some other precious metal alloys, can oxidise over time.

Properly maintained silver jewellery improves with age and develops a beautiful patina. Treat your silver well, care for it properly and it will reward you with a long life and a special look.

Titanium

Although the titanium mineral is found in abundance, pure titanium metal is not found naturally. In 1910, Mathew Hunter heated TiC14 together with sodium in a steel bomb at 700-800 centigrade and created the spectacular metal we know today as titanium.

Titanium is as strong as steel but much lighter, twice as strong as aluminium and almost as resistant to corrosion as platinum. These qualities make titanium a popular choice to be mixed with other metals to produce alloys used widely in the aerospace and marinecraft industries and a host of other objects.

Pure titanium metal is as beautiful as it is practical and is now making a bold statement in jewellery with Prism Design's new range of exciting rings, bangles and cufflinks that mix uncoloured titanium with other precious metals to create stunning designs, textures and colours.

Titanium's durability, strength and hypoallergenic qualities are complimented by it's wonderful lustre.