Gold: is one of the most versatile and lovely metals for jewellery. There are many reasons for this top-notch status, including the following:

• Gold is incredibly malleable. Jewellers can craft it into almost any shape.
• In addition to the traditional warm yellow tone, there are is white gold and rose gold.
• Gold is among the most precious and expense metals on the planet.
• Solid gold is hypoallergenic; however, some gold alloys can bother people with metal allergies.

It's important to note that most jewellery isn't created from solid gold, which is too soft. Gold comes in different carats or purities, each of which has advantages for the consumer.

Metal Carat: Not to be confused with the carat weight of a diamond, the carat is actually the quantity of pure gold contained in the metal. You’ll often see this abbreviated to ‘ct’ in the UK, or ‘K’ in the US. The level of purity is required to be stamped on the piece of jewellery.

• 9ct - gold is hallmarked 375, so has 375 parts of pure gold (37.5%), with the rest comprising of other metal alloys. 9ct gold is a very durable metal, so is perfect for everyday wear. As it has the lowest volume of pure gold it is also the most cost effective option for gold jewellery.
• 14ct - gold is hallmarked 585 and therefore has 585 parts per thousand of pure gold. It is the preferred metal in America and mainland Europe. Its higher gold content puts it in the middle of the most popular gold qualities (durability, cost, colour) but as it is not commonly used in the UK, it can actually work out slightly more expensive as items usually need to be custom made or imported.
• 18ct - gold has the highest content of pure gold that you will find on the high street. There are 750 parts per 1000 and it is hallmarked 750. This provides a rich yellow or rose colour due to its high gold content. It is also very durable and ideal for pieces such as engagement rings or wedding bands, which will be worn daily.
• 22ct - gold is hallmarked 916 (91.6% gold content), so is the purest form of gold available in jewellery. The small percentage left over is usually mixed with copper or silver. Due to its high gold content it is very yellow in colour and is quite popular in Indian jewellery.

Platinum: As one of the most desirable jewellery metals on the planet, platinum is a popular choice for fine jewelry, including engagement rings.

• Platinum has a beautiful white color that does not corrode or require polishing.
• This metal is rare and very valuable.
• One of the strongest metals on the planet, platinum is excellent for jewellery that needs to last a lifetime.
• Platinum works well in many jewellery designs.

Platinum is also highly unreactive, which means it won’t tarnish like sterling silver when exposed to the air. Jewellery-grade platinum is usually an alloy of 95% platinum and 5% other metals.

Silver: Silver is another beautiful white metal used in jewelry. Because it is so soft, you'll almost never encounter pure silver jewellery. Instead, you'll see sterling silver, which is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals.

You may also encounter silver-plated and silver-filled pieces. These items feature a layer of silver on the surface of the piece. Silver-plating creates a very thin layer, which is easily damaged. Silver-filled items are more durable, since they have a thicker layer of silver.

HALLMARKING In the UK, our Hallmarking Act ensures that all precious metals bear a stamp which indicates the mark of the maker, the assay office, the date and the purity of the metal – for example, 750 for 18ct gold and 950 for platinum. For further information on hallmarking, please visit the British government web site.