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METAL TYPE GUIDE
We make our jewellery using only the finest precious metals such as Sterling Silver, gold vermeil , 9K Gold (37.5% Pure) , 14K Gold (58.33% Pure ) and 18K Gold( 75% Pure). The product page will offer options as to what metals are available.
Our jewellery is stamped with the appropriate Gold or Silver content, ranging from 'Au 9K' or 'Au 14K' in the case of Gold items and 'S925' in the case of Sterling Silver. Additionally every piece carries our company hallmark C*.
As a standard, we finish off all our jewellery in a manner befitting its quality, in the same way as the finest jewellers across the world. Where appropriate, we complement the metal work nearest the stone with various colour tones. This gives the stone a colour boost and almost hides the gold housing with the colour of the stone. This work is usually done for jewellery with coloured stones and to only the finest jewellery. At CARAT* we do this to all our pieces where appropriate.
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White Gold
White gold is gold mixed with other white metals such as silver and palladium. The result is a grey coloured gold. In order to give the gold a white look it is plated with a platinum family metal called rhodium. Rhodium is very, very hard, costs twice as much as platinum and four times as much as gold. It is a beautiful lustrous material but wears thin over time. If you wear your ring every day, expect it to be re-rhodium plated approximately every 12 to 18 months. Most local jewellers are able to rhodium plate jewellery for a cost effective price.
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Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is mixed with yellow metals to make it strong enough for stone mounting and so that it will resist scratching. Our yellow gold mountings are polished by hand. Like all gold jewellery, yellow gold may need to be polished every 12 to 18 months, depending on how often it is worn. |
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Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is a technique created using electrolysis that originated in France. The base is pure sterling silver with a layer of gold on top. Gold vermeil is comparable to pure gold in appearance and craftmanship. Because of it's primary composition of sterling silver, gold vermeil is considerably more affordable than pure gold. Gold vermeil will last many years without tarnishing and without the gold plate wearingoff if you properly care for it.
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Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver and other metals, usually copper containing 925 parts per thousand
with remaining 75 parts being other metals. Fine silver 99.9% is generally too soft for everyday wear.
Copper is alloyed to give it strength while preserving ductility of the metal and it's beauty.
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