Jewellery is created with the world's most precious metals: platinum, palladium, gold and silver. Each has its own distinct qualities:

The purest, most precious metal; the hardest wearing and longest lasting. Platinum really is the creme de la creme of precious metals, and it has a tantalising gun metal colour. Often chosen by those who have a bigger budget (platinum is more than twice the price of 18ct gold). Our platinum jewellery will contain the hallmark 950, which means it is 95% pure. Platinum is rhodium plated to enhance its beauty, and will need to be replated in the future to maintain its crisp white appearance. However, do not be put off by this - a reputable jeweller will replate your platinum jewellery each time you take it to be professionally cleaned. 

Palladium

Palladium is still very new to the market, but is becoming a popular choice for wedding rings. Palladium has a similar look to platinum, but is much less expensive (although still more expensive than gold). It is also naturally white, which means it does not require rhodium plating. Palladium is 60-70% lighter than platinum, so is suitable for those wanting a lighter weight wedding ring, but is still very hard wearing.

18ct White Gold

Not as hard as platinum, nor as expensive, 18ct white gold is a great choice for those who prefer a white metal for their jewellery. 18ct white gold is actually yellow gold containing silver, zinc or palladium as its alloy. When these alloys are added to make it appear white, initially, the new "white gold" takes on a grey-ish metal colour. It is always therefore rhodium plated to improve its appearance, taking it to a whiter smokier lustre. Over time, the rhodium plate will wear off, so your jewellery will need to be replated. However, do not be put off by this - a reputable jeweller will replate your white gold jewellery each time you take it to be professionally cleaned.

9ct White Gold

A clean and crisp whiteness is achieved with 9ct white gold. However, as it is only 37.5% pure (its alloys are silver and zinc), 9ct gold is much less expensive than 18ct gold.

18ct Yellow Gold

75% pure (hallmarked as 750), 18ct yellow gold has enchanting golden hues. Though not as hard-wearing as platinum, we must remember that gold has been used for Jewellery for centuries. 18ct yellow gold tends to be a little less expensive than 18ct white gold.

9ct Yellow Gold

A softer, more buttery yellow appearance than 18ct yellow gold. As with 9ct white gold, 9ct yellow gold is only 37.5% pure, therefore is much less expensive than 18ct gold. 

Silver is the softest precious metal in the world, so generally for jewellery, it is only ever 92.5% pure (sterling silver). The remaining 7.5% of sterling silver is made from zinc or copper alloy. Silver is a beautiful material, yet is very affordable.

In the UK, hallmarking has a long history, dating back 700 years and representing the earliest form of consumer protection. A hallmark means that the precious metal has been independently tested by an Assay Office and guarantees that the article conforms to a specified legal standard of purity for gold, silver and platinum. Palladium does not currently have a hallmark.

Compulsory Marks

Modifications to the 1973 Hallmarking Act, effective from 1^st January 1999, have changed the way articles made of precious metals are hallmarked. The UK hallmark now comprises a minimum of three compulsory symbols.

Sponsor's or maker's mark

Indicates the maker or sponsor of the article. In Britain, this mark consists of at least two letters within a shield, and no two marks are the same.

Metal and fineness (purity) mark

Indicates the precious metal content of the article, and that it is not less than the fineness indicated. Since 1999, all finenesses are indicated by a millesimals number (eg 375 is 9ct). This number is contained in a shield, the shape of which depicts the precious metal.

Assay Office mark

Indicates the particular Assay Office at which the article was tested and marked. There are now four British Assay Offices - Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, and Sheffield. There were other Assay Offices in former times.