Our Metals
We value creating quality jewellery that lasts. Jewellery is both a personal and considered investment that will last for generations to come, which is why we are extremely selective of the precious metals and metal suppliers we chose to work with.
Our high-grade gold is supplied by one of Australia's leading specialists of precious metals and jewellery production. All of their metals are alloyed in-house primarily from post-consumer and recycled metals, guaranteeing the quality of product, traceability of supply-chain and responsible practice.
There are some significant differences you may not know about gold that will affect the overall look and durability of your jewellery. In its purest form, gold (24K) is incredibly soft; this is not ideal for jewellery for everyday wear. For this reason, other precious and base metals, such as palladium, copper and zinc, are alloyed to create a stronger and durable metal.
Karats are units of measurement that indicate the percentage of pure gold in your jewellery. Be sure you don’t get confused with the term carat (pronounced the same) which is a unit of measurement for the weight of a diamond or gemstone.
It’s a good idea to learn about the essential differences between the available metal so that you can make the best choice for your piece.
14K VS 18K DURABILITY
Over time with everyday wear, it is natural that gold will scratch and scuff. The karat of gold can have a minor role in its overall durability; however, gold will never be scratch or damage resistant. The higher percentage of alloy metals in 14K gold offers slightly more resistance to scratching than 18K gold. However, the higher percentage of pure gold in 18K metals make them more malleable, and less brittle. For example, if a claw is snagged or lifted on an 18K piece, it is more likely to bend than snap.
Having considered this, LOUISE JEAN hold a preference for 18K gold in engagement rings.
That being said, 14K is still suitable for everyday wear and is a very popular choice in wedding rings. LOUISE JEAN offers each of our wedding band designs in your choice of either 14K or 18K golds, to ensure our clients have the choice of matching the metal to their engagement ring.
This is because an engagement ring in a harder metal such as 14K will deteriorate a 18K wedding ring.
Due to the clear durability benefits of 18K gold in engagement rings, LOUISE JEAN exclusively handcraft our Signature and Bespoke designs in 18K gold or platinum. We offer a wider range of metal types in our Wedding Collection to ensure those who do not own a LOUISE JEAN engagement ring can choose a LOUISE JEAN wedding ring in a consistent metal type.
CARE
Gold in its purest form (24K) will not tarnish; however, the base metals alloyed with 14K/18K gold can react when exposed to certain chemicals (perfumes, chlorine, hairspray, harsh cleaning products etc.).
The higher the karat, the less likely it is to discolour. In most cases, your gold jewellery will never show signs of tarnishing as this is often to do with the chemistry of your skin and not the metal itself. You can take a look at our jewellery cleaning and care guide here to help you care for your gold.
Scratches and scuffs from everyday wear can be expected and can be removed by a jeweller via a jewellery polishing machine. At LOUISE JEAN, we offer a complimentary annual clean and service on all of our rings.
Yellow Gold:
14K VS 18K Appearance
For some, there is very little visual difference between the two, and for others, there is a clear favourite. At LOUISE JEAN we have dedicated time forming relationships with some of the highest quality gold suppliers in the world. While widely renowned as being a more lustrous material, the 18K gold we source would be best described as a 'creamy' yellow and is well suited for all skin tones and diamond/gemstone colours. Champagne diamonds and coloured stones (such as sapphires) pair beautifully with this metal.
Comparatively, 14K is slightly less lustrous and warm, but pairs beautifully with white diamonds.
Rose Gold:
14K vs 18K appearance
Rose gold has become increasingly popular over the years due to the feminine and romantic appeal. The pink tone is due to additional copper when alloyed with pure gold, giving the metal, its unique blush tone.
Our 14K is visually unique compared to the standard 14K rose gold you may see from other jewellers. It is best described as a ‘champagne’ rose and has a more subtle peach undertone. Champagne diamonds and like-coloured stones (pink sapphires for example) complement this metal beautifully. This option tends to be the metal of choice for those who aren’t necessarily a drawn to yellow or rose but still want a warm metal colour.
Our 18K is much lusher in colour and provides a great contrast with bright, colourless diamonds. This is an excellent choice if you are very fond of the traditional colour of rose and have a preference for a more lustrous metal.
White Gold:
14K VS 18K Appearance
White gold is another popular choice and is often selected by those who prefer neutral metal tones. The ‘white’ colour is created when either platinum or palladium are added to pure gold (along with a smaller amount of other base metals). It is then finished with a plating of rhodium to give it a brighter silver-like lustre. With everyday wear, the rhodium plating will fade and eventually, the natural colour of the metal will begin to show.
This fading may be more apparent in the parts of the band that rub against your pinky and middle finger and the setting. When plated, both 14K and 18K white gold has no visual difference, however, in their natural form you may notice the warmer/darker grey undertones in the metal. For some, this is often preferred in male wedding bands as it gives the ring a masculine look.
WHAT ABOUT 9K
9K is a less superior and luxurious metal choice for bridal jewellery due to its lower gold content. As 62.5% of this gold is made up of other alloyed metals, it does present a more economical and durable choice, particularly when there are more substantial amounts of metal used, such as male wedding bands.
9K white gold is naturally brighter due to the higher percentage platinum in comparison to 14K and 18K white gold. Therefore it does not require rhodium plating and may be a suitable choice for males who prefer a lower maintenance ring. 9K yellow gold compares quite similarly to 14K yellow gold in regards to appearance, however, it is slightly less lustrous. Due to the higher copper content, 9K rose gold is more on the ‘red’ side, particularly in comparison to 14K rose gold.
PLATINUM
Platinum is an entirely different metal to gold. In its natural form, platinum is white and therefore does not require alloying with base metals to achieve a cool tone. In jewellery, 95% of the metal is platinum, and 5% is made up of other metals, which also means it is more pure. It is also very dense and consequently more expensive than gold.
While Platinum is also renowned for its strength and durability, it is important to note how the metal appearance develops over time from normal every-day wear. When scratched, the metal is not lost or worn away (as it is in gold). Instead, surface ridges and texture develop and create what is called a ‘patina’. This can give the metal a darkened look and to some, even a vintage-like feel. A professional heavy polish performed by a jeweller is the only way to remove surface patina.
Two-tone rings are also a popular choice for those who prefer a coloured metal band and white setting. When this is a preference, platinum is recommended for the setting component to give the diamond/stone extra stability and security when exposed to knocks.
* * *
Before making your final decision we encourage you to have a look at some side by side comparison in person either by booking an appointment to visit our Peregian Beach showroom. Alternatively, we can assist with any additional questions via email.
