Skip to main content
  • About Us
  • Reviews
  • Make an Appointment
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing the Ring
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • Contact
  • 2254 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309
  • (248) 299-5250
testing meta info
  • Bridal & Diamonds
    Engagement Rings
    Shop Engagement RingsLooking for Something Custom?
    Wedding Bands
    Ladies Diamond Wedding BandsMen’s Wedding Bands
    Engagement by Designer
    Allison KaufmanAncora DesignsEver & EverFanaGems By PancisGems OneLevy CreationsValina
    Loose Stones
    Start with a DiamondStart with a Lab DiamondRare & ForeverAbout Lab Grown DiamondsAbout Colored Diamonds
    Financing
    Financing Options

    Explore All Bridal & Diamonds
  • Designers
    Allison KaufmanAmmara StoneAncora DesignsBella CavoBenchmarkChristensen & Company Fine OpalsDee BerkleyElysiumEternal Path® Collection
    Ever & EverFanaForgeFrank ReubelFrederic DuclosGems By PancisGems OneHL ManufacturingImperial Pearls
    INOXKelly WatersKin and PebbleLafonnLevy CreationsLuvMyJewelry (LMJ)LY DesignsMFITOstbye
    OvernightReactor WatchRoger Dery GemsTantalumTracy Arrington StudiosValina

    Designers
  • Jewelry
    Diamond Engagement Rings
    SolitaireClassicHaloVintageModern
    Rings
    Diamond Fashion RingsColor Gemstone RingsPrecious Metal BandsMen's Alternative RingsDiamond RingsDiamond Anniversary BandsDiamond Three Stone Rings
    Earrings
    Diamond EarringsDiamond StudDiamond HoopsGold EarringsSterling Silver EarringsSterling Silver Earrings With StonesGemstone EarringsHoop EarringsDiamond Hoop Earrings
    Pearl Jewelry
    Pearl Necklaces & Pendants
    Necklaces & Pendants
    Diamond Necklaces & PendantsNecklacesColored Stone Necklaces & PendantsGold Pendants/charmsSilver Pendants No StonesSilver Pendant/necklace With Stones
    Bracelets
    Diamond BraceletsGold BraceletsAlternative BraceletsDiamond Bangle Bracelets
    Mommy Chic CollectionEternal Path CollectionGiftware - CollectiblesGents Accessories
    Fashion Bracelets

    Jewelry
  • Services
  • Specials
  • News
    Latest Videos Community Involvement Michigan's Top Rated Jewelry Store
    Share and Save IJO 2015 Conference We Make Love Rock Guarantee
    News & Events
    20th Your Anniversary CelebrationJ. Thomas Jewelers National News2016 Custom Design Winner

    Explore All News
  • My Account
  • Search
  1. Home
  2. Metal Facts

Metal Facts

 

Gold         

Gold is the metal that never goes out of style. The earliest gold jewelry dates from around 6,000 years ago. The color of gold jewelry is determined by alloying other metals to pure 24 karat gold.
Gold’s purity is measured in karats:
• 24 karat gold is 100% pure
• 18 karat gold is 75% puregold bars and coins
• 14 karat gold has 58.5% gold content
• 10 karat gold has 41.6% content

Yellow gold is the most natural, warm and sensual color.
White gold is created by alloying pure gold with zinc, palladium and silver and requires rhodium plating after refinishing.
Copper is combined with pure gold to make a pink or rose gold statement.
Gold is rich and it is practical. Celebrate the glory of gold and let its beauty express your style.
 

Platinum

Platinum is distinct from all other metals - it is rare, pure and precious; its name is derived from the Spanish term “platina”, which is literally translated into “little silver”. It is ideal for those whose skin in sensitive to jewelry. The distinct, natural white tone is incomparable, and a soft patina paints the jewelry item with an antique hue as time passes. Observe platinum’s weight and study its texture. This hypoallergenic metal will not react to the body’s natural chemicals, so it never tarnishes or changes color.

• Platinum is 95% or 92% pure
Platinum Rough
FUN FACTS

• The frame of the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, manufactured for her coronation as Consort of King George VI, is made of platinum. It was the first British crown to made of this particular metal.
• Of the 245 tons of platinum sold in 2010, 113 tons were used for vehicle emissions control devices (4%); 76 tons for jewelry (31%); and the remaining 35.5 tons went to various other minor applications


Palladium

Palladium is a white metal that lives in the family of Platinum group metals. It is mined in some of the same places as platinum and shares similar qualities. Palladium is precious and pure, so you can make a close comparison of its relation to platinum.


• Palladium is naturally white, therefore it requires no rhodium plating
• Palladium is hypo-allergenic
• Palladium retains its luster
• Palladium is proportionally much lighter than platinum. 
• Palladium itself has been used as a precious metal in jewelry since 1939, as an alternative to platinum 

FUN FACT

• William Hyde Wollaston noted the discovery of a new noble metal in July 1802 in his lab-book and named it palladium in August of the same year. It was named by Wollaston in 1802 after the asteroid Pallas, which had been discovered two months earlier.

• World demand for palladium increased from 100 tons in 1990 to nearly 300 tons in 2000

• In 2007, Russia was the top producer of palladium, with a 44% world share, followed by South Africa with 40%. Canada with 6% and the U.S. with 5% .


Argentium Sterling Silver

Many of J. Thomas Jewelers' custom creations use Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium Sterling Silver is a naturally hard metal, which lends itself to greater strength than regular sterling silver. It is durable and can be considered problem-free by most sterling silver standards.Sterling Silver Cuff

• Argentium Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure
• Finished jewelry made with Argentium Silver is harder and more durable than traditional sterling silver.
• Stays bright and beautiful for years
• Highly tarnish resistant - so its shine is long lasting. 
• Cleaning with warm water and a mild detergent is all that is required to maintain its appearance.
   Smudges can easily be removed by using a soft dry cloth.
• Argentium Silver is a “green metal” - friendly to the environment.
Metal Facts
J. Thomas Jewelers
J. Thomas Jewelers
2254 Crooks Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
(248) 299-5250
Store Information
Our Store Hours
Monday:Closed
Tues - Fri:10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday:10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Follow Us
Fine Jewelry
  • Diamond Engagement Rings
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Pearl Jewelry
  • Necklaces & Pendants
  • Bracelets
  • Mommy Chic Collection
  • Eternal Path Collection
  • Giftware - Collectibles
  • Gents Accessories
Engagement
  • Diamond Engagement Rings
  • Custom Jewelry Design
  • Browse Designer Brands
  • Create Your Ring Online
  • Find a Diamond
Education
  • Jewelry Education
  • The Four Cs of Diamonds
  • Diamond Buying Tips
  • Choosing the Ring
  • Birthstone Guide
  • Gemstone Guide
  • Precious Metals
  • Caring for Fine Jewelry
  • Diamond Cleaning
  • Gemstone Cleaning
  • Anniversary Guide
  • Gold Buying Guide
Information
  • Our Mission/Our Promise
  • Master IJO Jeweler
  • Our Services
  • Gemshield Jewelry Insurance
  • Financing
  • Store Policies
  • We Make Love Rock Guarentee
  • Shipping & Return Policy
  • ADA Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Newsletter Signup

Signup for special offers and discounts.

© 2023 J. Thomas Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.