The Five Precious Metals of the World

Precious metals have been vauled for thousands of years for their beauty, rarity, and durability. They are used in jewellery, watches, technology, and even as investments. While there are many valuable metals in the world, these five are considered the most well-known precious metals.

Gold

Gold is loved for its rich colour and has been used in jewellery, coins and royal treasures for centuries. It comes in different shades including yellow gold, white gold and rose (pink) gold. White gold was introduced in the 1920s, by mixing pure yellow gold with white alloys. It is inherently warm in colour, and needs rhodium plating for a whiter hue. Rose

 gold was popular in the 19th Century after emerging in Russia. It's pinkish glow is made using pure gold and copper, evoking a sense of romance and sophistication.

Silver

Silver is th 47th element on the periodic table and dates back to Anatolia (modern day Turkey). Although it is now affordable , it was once valued higher than gold in ancient Eygpt. Sterling silver 925 is a mix of two metals, as fine silver 999 is too soft to mold and set.

Platinum

Platinum is known for its remarkable natural white colour and has minimal upkeep and maintenance compared to white gold. As it is a denser metal than palladium it weighs

 more and has a higher price. It is perfect for engagement rings, and wedding bands that are worn everyday. With it's hypoallergenic quality, this metal is gentle on sensitive skin.

Palladium

Palladium is a lightweight precious metal from the platinum family. It was recently discovered in the early 1800s and was first used in jewellery in 1939. Palladium is slightly harder, and much lighter than platinum, making it comfortable for daily wear.

Rhodium

Rhodium is the 45th element on the periodic table and one of the rarest metals found in the Earth's crust, estimated to be around 1,500 times rarer than gold. It is typically mined as a byproduct of platinum and nickel refining and commonly used as a thin plating on jewellery, especially white gold pieces.