The Noble metals are also referred to as precious metals and they include Gold, Silver and Platinum. Not only used for jewellery, they also have a myriad other uses, including coins, world-wide; film (silver), medicine (gold and platinum), and technology (gold, silver and platinum) to name but a few. Gold and silver have been used for thousands of years to make jewels, adornments, religious artifacts (including those used in sacrificial rites) and object d’art. Platinum requires much more intense heat in order to fashion it, and has therefore been a relative newcomer to jewellery, coming to prominence in the 1920’s and currently an extremely popular choice, especially for diamond set jewellery and wedding bands.
Most gold jewellery is made up of one of the alloys, e.g. 9ct gold is 37.5% gold, with 62.5% other metals (possibly including copper, silver, and zinc). It is possible to vary the colour of the gold alloy according to the differing proportions of the “other” metals being used; the addition of copper for example, gives a lovely warm rosy hue, whilst the addition of silver makes the metal a lighter yellow – almost, but not quite white (white gold). Most white gold is routinely plated with rhodium, but since the rhodium white finish is only a plating, it does wear off in time, and will require re-plating periodically to restore it to it’s original splendour. 18ct gold is a richer colour than 9ct, having double the quantity of gold in the alloy, 22ct is a richer colour again, being closest to the colour of pure gold. Pure gold is incredibly soft, making it extremely easy to work, but impractical in terms of wear for most jewellery items. The other metals used in the alloys, not only affect the colour, but also affect the workability during manufacturing and the durability of the finished piece. Pure gold doesn’t tarnish, even ancient pieces which have been excavated after thousands of years have glimmered and shone as if they were new, but the other metals in the alloy may tarnish, it depends totally on the alloy used.
Most U.K. silver jewellery is made with Sterling silver, Britannia silver being used more rarely. Silver has a lovely warmth and soft sheen, which glows against the skin. As an inexpensive metal (compared to gold and platinum) silver can be used to bold effect without breaking the bank, worn as dramatic eye-catching pieces which make a statement.
Platinum came into its own during the Art Deco Period, finding favour with the premier jewellers of the day, who were able to use smaller and smaller amounts of metal to show off their beautiful diamonds and gems to often spectacular effect. It is particularly suited to diamond settings, as being so white, it doesn't detract from the diamonds.
Hallmarks are applied as a legal requirement to almost all* items of gold, silver and platinum jewellery sold in the U.K. (* There are specific exemptions). There are four Assay Offices – Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield - working to independently test that each piece of jewellery conforms to a specified legal standard of purity. This is the oldest form of consumer protection, and now dates back some 700 years. The Hallmarking Act (Amended 1998) permits other European Economic Area hallmarks and those countries that are signatories to the International Convention on Hallmarking are entitled to use the Common Control Mark.
Most gold jewellery is made up of one of the alloys, e.g. 9ct gold is 37.5% gold, with 62.5% other metals (possibly including copper, silver, and zinc). It is possible to vary the colour of the gold alloy according to the differing proportions of the “other” metals being used; the addition of copper for example, gives a lovely warm rosy hue, whilst the addition of silver makes the metal a lighter yellow – almost, but not quite white (white gold). Most white gold is routinely plated with rhodium, but since the rhodium white finish is only a plating, it does wear off in time, and will require re-plating periodically to restore it to it’s original splendour. 18ct gold is a richer colour than 9ct, having double the quantity of gold in the alloy, 22ct is a richer colour again, being closest to the colour of pure gold. Pure gold is incredibly soft, making it extremely easy to work, but impractical in terms of wear for most jewellery items. The other metals used in the alloys, not only affect the colour, but also affect the workability during manufacturing and the durability of the finished piece. Pure gold doesn’t tarnish, even ancient pieces which have been excavated after thousands of years have glimmered and shone as if they were new, but the other metals in the alloy may tarnish, it depends totally on the alloy used.
Most U.K. silver jewellery is made with Sterling silver, Britannia silver being used more rarely. Silver has a lovely warmth and soft sheen, which glows against the skin. As an inexpensive metal (compared to gold and platinum) silver can be used to bold effect without breaking the bank, worn as dramatic eye-catching pieces which make a statement.
Platinum came into its own during the Art Deco Period, finding favour with the premier jewellers of the day, who were able to use smaller and smaller amounts of metal to show off their beautiful diamonds and gems to often spectacular effect. It is particularly suited to diamond settings, as being so white, it doesn't detract from the diamonds.
Hallmarks are applied as a legal requirement to almost all* items of gold, silver and platinum jewellery sold in the U.K. (* There are specific exemptions). There are four Assay Offices – Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield - working to independently test that each piece of jewellery conforms to a specified legal standard of purity. This is the oldest form of consumer protection, and now dates back some 700 years. The Hallmarking Act (Amended 1998) permits other European Economic Area hallmarks and those countries that are signatories to the International Convention on Hallmarking are entitled to use the Common Control Mark.
GOLD
In the U.K. there are currently six hallmarking standards for gold, they are: -999 (99.9% pure) equivalent to 24 carat
990 (99% pure)
916 * (91.6% pure) equivalent to 22 carat
750 * (75% pure) equivalent to 18 carat
585 * (58.5% pure) equivalent to 14 carat
375 * (37.5% pure) equivalent to 9 carat
* These are the four standards most commonly in use still in the U.K.
990 (99% pure)
916 * (91.6% pure) equivalent to 22 carat
750 * (75% pure) equivalent to 18 carat
585 * (58.5% pure) equivalent to 14 carat
375 * (37.5% pure) equivalent to 9 carat
* These are the four standards most commonly in use still in the U.K.
SILVER
In the U.K. there are currently four hallmarking standards for silver, they are: -999 (99.9% pure)
958 * (95.8% pure) Britannia silver
925 * (92.5% pure) Sterling silver
800 (80% pure)
* These are the two standards most commonly in use still in the U.K.
958 * (95.8% pure) Britannia silver
925 * (92.5% pure) Sterling silver
800 (80% pure)
* These are the two standards most commonly in use still in the U.K.
Platinum
In the U.K. there are currently four hallmarking standards for platinum, they are: -999 (99.9% pure)
950 * (95% pure)
900 (90% pure)
850 (85% pure)
* This is the standard most commonly in use still in the U.K.
950 * (95% pure)
900 (90% pure)
850 (85% pure)
* This is the standard most commonly in use still in the U.K.