Jewelry is a universal form of self-expression. It's timeless beauty and personal nature make it a unique possession. When you try on a jewelry creation, you feel the metal’s weight, texture - even its temperature - against your skin. Your intimate
experience with the metal becomes your introduction to the other aspects of the Jewelry’s beauty. The 3 precious metals often used in Jewelry making are Gold, Silver & Platinum. Together they are called the noble metals (there are others though but unrelated to Jewelry trade). Each of them have unique features but share certain similar characteristics that make them desirable in the world of Jewelry.
- Allure
- Workability
- Durability
- Rarity
The physical/psychological appeal of these 3 precious metals is what we term as allure. The physical allure is a combination of 3 attributes: color, luster & heft.
Color: From warm to cool, the precious metals come in a variety of colors that delight us. Gold - natural yellow – the energy and nature of sunlight; Platinum – rich gray-white – subtlety and distinction; Silver – bright shimmer – Youth, spirituality & femininity. Jewelry today comes in a mixture of these in exciting colors and combinations.
Luster: Luster is that breathtaking glitter when the precious metals reflect the light. Silver reflects almost 90% of the light back to the visible eye, making its intense white luster so special. Gold with its grand yellow color provides richness to any gems on its background too. Platinum too glimmers alluringly, a perfect complement to the glows of diamonds, pearls and gems.
Heft: Heft of a precious metal is its significant weight compared to its size. The heaviness of the precious metals gives them the feel of luxury and importance when worn. In terms of their weights, Platinum > Gold > Silver In fact, a mere 6 inch (15.24 cm) cube of Platinum weighs 169 pounds (76.6 kg) as much as a grown up man. In general, Gold jewelry’s weight is one of its major assets, giving it a grand feel. Silver though weighing fair, is the most lightest of the other precious metals.
Color: From warm to cool, the precious metals come in a variety of colors that delight us. Gold - natural yellow – the energy and nature of sunlight; Platinum – rich gray-white – subtlety and distinction; Silver – bright shimmer – Youth, spirituality & femininity. Jewelry today comes in a mixture of these in exciting colors and combinations.
Luster: Luster is that breathtaking glitter when the precious metals reflect the light. Silver reflects almost 90% of the light back to the visible eye, making its intense white luster so special. Gold with its grand yellow color provides richness to any gems on its background too. Platinum too glimmers alluringly, a perfect complement to the glows of diamonds, pearls and gems.
Heft: Heft of a precious metal is its significant weight compared to its size. The heaviness of the precious metals gives them the feel of luxury and importance when worn. In terms of their weights, Platinum > Gold > Silver In fact, a mere 6 inch (15.24 cm) cube of Platinum weighs 169 pounds (76.6 kg) as much as a grown up man. In general, Gold jewelry’s weight is one of its major assets, giving it a grand feel. Silver though weighing fair, is the most lightest of the other precious metals.
Workability is the ability to ease the precious metals into desirable forms of fashion. It falls into 2 categories:
Malleability: Malleability is the ability to stretch the precious metal in all directions without breaking, allowing it to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets. In terms of malleability, Gold > Silver > Platinum (An ounce of pure gold can be rolled into a 100 sq.ft sheet only five-millionth of an inch thick)
Ductility: Ductility is the ability of the precious metal to be formed into a variety of shapes such as wire, and hold those shapes. This finds great use in creating intricate jewelry. In terms of ductility, Gold > Silver > Platinum (One troy ounce of gold can be drawn out into a wire thread more than 50 miles long)
Malleability: Malleability is the ability to stretch the precious metal in all directions without breaking, allowing it to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets. In terms of malleability, Gold > Silver > Platinum (An ounce of pure gold can be rolled into a 100 sq.ft sheet only five-millionth of an inch thick)
Ductility: Ductility is the ability of the precious metal to be formed into a variety of shapes such as wire, and hold those shapes. This finds great use in creating intricate jewelry. In terms of ductility, Gold > Silver > Platinum (One troy ounce of gold can be drawn out into a wire thread more than 50 miles long)
When we think about Jewels, we think about Durability. We would obviously wish what we buy to last for generations, don’t we? In jewelry, the durability is seen in two important ways.
1. Strength
2. Corrosion resistance
Strength:
As far as strength is concerned, Platinum > Gold > Silver. Platinum surface when nicked or scrapped doesn’t lose the metal or break or chirp, but the sides of the scratch move apart. The jewelers can hence polish it smooth with only a little loss if any, and ensure less maintenance on the long run. This makes Platinum setting a wonderful choice for engagement and wedding rings. Gold and Silver are extremely strong. Archaeologists found Gold and Silver ornaments dating back to thousands of years back but still remaining intact. Silver may require a little polishing to restore to its original form but Gold often looks as good as new.
Corrosion resistance:
Imagine what if the precious jewelry you have rusts in water that you had to keep them covered every time you walk out in a rain or wash your hands. That would’ve been a great pain. But, thanks to their ability to be resistant to corrosion and tarnishing they remain as good as we have. That is why Platinum, Gold & Silver are far superior to the base metals and are termed noble metals. In terms of corrosion resistance, Platinum > Gold > Silver
1. Strength
2. Corrosion resistance
Strength:
As far as strength is concerned, Platinum > Gold > Silver. Platinum surface when nicked or scrapped doesn’t lose the metal or break or chirp, but the sides of the scratch move apart. The jewelers can hence polish it smooth with only a little loss if any, and ensure less maintenance on the long run. This makes Platinum setting a wonderful choice for engagement and wedding rings. Gold and Silver are extremely strong. Archaeologists found Gold and Silver ornaments dating back to thousands of years back but still remaining intact. Silver may require a little polishing to restore to its original form but Gold often looks as good as new.
Corrosion resistance:
Imagine what if the precious jewelry you have rusts in water that you had to keep them covered every time you walk out in a rain or wash your hands. That would’ve been a great pain. But, thanks to their ability to be resistant to corrosion and tarnishing they remain as good as we have. That is why Platinum, Gold & Silver are far superior to the base metals and are termed noble metals. In terms of corrosion resistance, Platinum > Gold > Silver
It is their rarity that makes the precious metals precious in the first place. Of the entire earth’s crust, the presence of the precious metals is as follows:
Gold: 3.5 parts per billion, Platinum: 45 parts per billion, Silver: 73 parts per billion
In spite of Platinum’s abundant availability than gold, it takes a longer time than gold to be extracted since it is thinly dispersed.
The BIS hallmark is a hallmarking system for gold as well as silver jewelry sold in India certifying to the purity of the metal. It certifies that the piece of jewelry conforms to a set of standards laid by the Bureau of Indian Standards, the national standards organization of India. India is the second biggest market for gold and its jewelry.
BIS CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR HALLMARKING OF GOLD JEWELLERY :
Government of India has identified BIS a sole agency in India to operate this scheme. BIS hallmarking Scheme is voluntary in nature and is operating under BIS Act, Rules and Regulations. It operates on the basis of trust and thus it is desirable that aspect of quality control are in built in the system responsible for managing quality. The BIS Hallmarking Scheme has been aligned with International criteria on hallmarking (Vienna Convention 1972). As per this scheme, license is granted to the jewelers by BIS under Hallmarking Scheme. The BIS certified jewelers can get their jewelry hallmarked from any of the BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. The recognition to an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre is given against BIS criteria Doc: HMS/RAHC/GO1 which is in line with International criteria on Marking and Control of Precious metals.
BIS CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR HALLMARKING OF GOLD JEWELLERY :
Government of India has identified BIS a sole agency in India to operate this scheme. BIS hallmarking Scheme is voluntary in nature and is operating under BIS Act, Rules and Regulations. It operates on the basis of trust and thus it is desirable that aspect of quality control are in built in the system responsible for managing quality. The BIS Hallmarking Scheme has been aligned with International criteria on hallmarking (Vienna Convention 1972). As per this scheme, license is granted to the jewelers by BIS under Hallmarking Scheme. The BIS certified jewelers can get their jewelry hallmarked from any of the BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. The recognition to an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre is given against BIS criteria Doc: HMS/RAHC/GO1 which is in line with International criteria on Marking and Control of Precious metals.