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Precious metals, like platinum, palladium, and gold, have wonderful properties that make them desirable for creating unique and beautiful jewelry. In addition to their positive qualities, all of these metals have limiting properties. No single metal has all of the positive qualities and none of the limiting qualities. Here are some comparison tables and a list of pros and cons for each of these metals. We hope this information will help you choose your perfect wedding band.
Precious Metal Comparison |
|
Metal |
Color |
Hypo-Allergenic |
Scratch Resistance |
Weight 100% Comparison to 14K Gold |
Alloys |
Purity |
|
Platinum |
Bright white |
Yes |
Low |
170% |
Ruthenium |
95% |
|
Palladium |
Bright white |
Yes |
Low |
95% |
Ruthenium |
95% |
|
18K Yellow |
Rich yellow |
No |
Moderate |
119.2% |
Copper, zinc, silver |
75% |
|
18K White |
Rhodium plated: Bright white |
No |
Moderate |
119.2% |
Copper, zinc, nickel |
75% |
|
18K Rose |
Rich rose |
No |
Moderate |
119.2% |
Copper, zinc, silver |
75% |
|
14K Yellow |
Bright yellow |
No |
Moderate |
100% |
Copper, zinc, silver |
58.3% |
|
14K White |
Rhodium plated: Bright white |
No |
Moderate |
100% |
Copper, zinc, nickel |
58.3% |
|
14K Rose |
Bright rose |
No |
Moderate |
100% |
Copper, zinc, nickel |
58.3% |
|
10K Yellow |
Standard yellow |
No |
Moderate |
85% |
Copper, zinc, silver |
41.7% |
|
10K White |
Rhodium plated: Bright white |
No |
Moderate |
85% |
Copper, zinc, nickel |
41.7% |
In addtion to comparing each precious metal, each metal has several pros and cons. Considering each may help you determine the best metal to meet your lifestyle.
Platinum |
|
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
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Considered the “King” of metals |
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Scratches easily, faster than other metals |
|
Long lasting, maintains weight over lifetime |
|
Most expensive |
|
95% pure |
|
|
|
Naturally white, never requires plating |
|
|
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Hypoallergenic, tarnish and corrosion resistant |
|
|
|
When scratched, metal is moved aside or displaced rather than lost |
|
|
|
Substantial feel (70 % heavier than gold) |
|
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Palladium |
|
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
|
Long lasting, maintains weight over lifetime |
|
Scratches easily, faster than other metals |
|
95% pure |
|
|
|
Naturally white, never requires plating |
|
|
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Hypoallergenic, tarnish and corrosion resistant |
|
|
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When scratched, metal is moved aside or displaced rather than lost |
|
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Member of platinum group metals |
|
|
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Very Affordable |
|
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Gold |
|
Pros |
|
Cons |
|
|
Most scratch resistant precious metal |
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White gold needs occasional rhodium plating to look its whitest |
|
Most traditional and popular jewelry metal |
|
|
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More affordable than other precious metals |
|
|
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Available in multiple color options: white, yellow, rose and green gold |
|
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Available in different karats: 10K, 14K and 18K |
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Very Affordable |
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