A Metal for Every Rock

In our line of work in jewelry design, you will find that with the metal of your choice, there are no limits in composition, no boundaries in our artistry. This is because we draw inspiration from all that surrounds us in the beauty of life and with your best interest in mind as our customers, we proceed to recreate such to the best of our abilities on digital canvas. We love the complexities of working with metal, transforming organic shapes into wearable high fashion for all of life’s moments from casual to fancy. Our select variety of metals include 14k and 18k gold (in yellow, rose, and white), .950 palladium, and .950 platinum. By special arrangement of position, they can provide security for and add aesthetically to our unique, natural or simulant gems. Or they can go without and be worn as fashion accessories to amplify your individual style. Below, we address the details of each metal and other information that can be of use to you on your search!

Gold, as many are familiar by now, is a precious metal highly sought-after for its soft, malleable, and ductile qualities. In its purest form, it occurs naturally in the interior of massive stars and therefore cannot be made. How did it end up here on Earth? One might deduce (like the scientists of UCSB) that after these massive stars die off, the elements that exist within live on, collecting in the cloud of gas and dust in their resulted explosions. From there, remnants of these stars might have settled on Earth since before recorded time. It was once used as our main currency, but over time it is now enjoyed by many in jewelry.

However, pure gold can be too soft to withstand prolonged handling which is why in jewelry, according to goldandsilvermines.com, “it is usually alloyed with [other metals such as] silver, copper, and a little zinc [to increase hardness].”  The addition of these metals help to produce various shades of yellow. In comparison to other colored golds, Yellow Gold is made in gold’s image, as it retains the warm golden color of its original form. It is considered in history as a classic colored metal, and can be often be associated with victory as the best in class. And with its variety in yellow shades, it can complement complexions of all kinds, especially those with olive and dark skin tones. It is also very hypo-allergenic.

For Rose Gold, copper is the key ingredient added to gold to produce the red or pink hues we see in it. The more, the rosier, and when everything is coming up roses, it means all is well. Currently, rose gold is a very popular metal of choice for both men and women. Just the color alone can tell you that this pastel-colored metal often alludes to romanticism, fantasy, and the like. Copper costs less and is quite durable, which means rose gold is not only tough as a metal, but also economically responsible. It complements all skin tones, making it very versatile in color.

In White Gold, white metals silver, nickel, manganese, and/or palladium are added to pure gold. It is a very popular and abundant alternative metal choice to Yellow Gold. Alloyed with strong metals, it is made to be more resistant to bends and scratches, but as an added bonus, it is also very affordable. Because of its virtuous demeanor, seemingly pure of color, it does well in accompaniment of white diamonds and other colorless gems, making center stones look larger in volume. Those with fair and rosy skin tones might find the most harmony with White Gold, but it can certainly appeal to all!

Science Education teaches us that Platinum is also derivative of natural occurrences; some traces can be found in “deposits of gold-bearing sands” of the Ural mountains, Columbia, and western regions of the U.S., others obtained as a byproduct of nickel mining in Canada. It is mostly self-sufficient in its durability, which means that it can be the heaviest of all precious metals. Platinum does share some qualities with others, such as the hypo-allergenic quality of Yellow Gold and “colorless”-ness of White Gold, but because it is comparably rare in quantity, it is higher in price. Its title in society can often be referred to as prestigious, or for the more privileged. When seeing it in person, one can confirm that just as society suggests, its reputation rings true!

Palladium is another silvery-white metal, lustrous and rare, that is often compared with White Gold and Platinum. Fun fact: the vast majority of palladium used in the United States is actually mined in North America. It shares the strength and durability of Platinum, but it weighs less because of its low density and is even more economically responsible. It is naturally white, so there is no need for added metals, which means it is hypo-allergenic and low-maintenance!

Thanks for reading. Good luck!