Metal Education

A favored choice for various jewelry accessories, including classic engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Its timeless appeal makes it suitable for both traditional and contemporary designs. While it possesses a warm and luxurious glow, yellow gold can be relatively soft when pure, making it less suitable for intricate, detailed designs. To enhance durability, it is often alloyed with metals like copper and silver. However, one potential drawback is that some individuals may have metal allergies or skin sensitivities to the alloying metals, so it's essential to consider this when selecting yellow gold jewelry.

Its romantic and unique pinkish hue, has gained popularity in recent years. It is particularly favored for engagement rings and other pieces where a touch of femininity and elegance is desired. Rose gold is reasonably durable, though its hardness can vary depending on the specific alloy. Its copper content may cause a minor drawback for individuals with skin sensitivities, as copper is known to cause occasional reactions. Nonetheless, rose gold's distinctive color and versatility in design continue to make it a sought-after choice for jewelry lovers.

A versatile metal, ideal for a wide range of jewelry accessories, particularly engagement rings and wedding bands. It provides a stunning backdrop for diamonds and colored gemstones, with its silvery-white appearance resembling platinum but at a more affordable price point. White gold's durability makes it suitable for everyday wear; however, the rhodium plating applied to enhance its whiteness may wear off over time, requiring occasional replating. Additionally, some individuals may experience skin reactions to the nickel content in certain white gold alloys. However, nickel-free options are available to address this concern.

Often associated with luxury, platinum is an excellent choice for engagement rings and high-end jewelry due to its unmatched durability and timeless appeal. Its natural white color doesn't require plating, and it is hypoallergenic, making it suitable for those with metal sensitivities. However, platinum's rarity and density make it more expensive than other metals, and it can develop a patina over time, which some may find appealing but others may prefer to have it polished periodically.

A rare and interesting metal that has a striking dark blue-gray color, making it stand out in jewelry. It's mainly made of tantalum itself, a tough and rust-resistant material. What's special is that tantalum is hypoallergenic, meaning it's unlikely to cause allergies or skin irritations. So, if you have sensitivities to other metals, tantalum jewelry can be a comfortable and stylish option for you.

Composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper, sterling silver is a versatile and affordable choice for jewelry. Its elegant luster and timeless appeal make it a popular option for a wide range of accessories. While sterling silver may tarnish over time, proper care can easily restore its beauty. To achieve a stunning yellow gold look, sterling silver jewelry can be transformed through a process called gold vermeil, which involves layering it with a generous coating of pure gold. This enhances both the appearance and durability of the jewelry, offering the elegance of yellow gold at a more accessible price point.

Note: Washington Diamond does not repair sterling silver jewelry.