Jewelry Articles

If you’re looking for that perfect engagement ring or shopping for a unique wedding band, then you know just how much variety there is out on the market today. From yellow gold to platinum and everything in between, it seems like picking the right metal for your diamond engagement ring or wedding band will be a complicated procedure…

…or will it?

If you haven’t considered the choice metal for your unique engagement ring or perfect wedding band, then consider this: platinum and palladium metals comprise the most popular choices for newlyweds and newly engaged couples alike. Thanks to the strength, elegance and beauty to these metals, platinum and palladium are in more demand than ever before.

But is it right for you? 25karats will take you through these two metals so you can choose which is the best choice for you and your sweetheart – so you can start focusing on your new life together!

Platinum. Platinum has long been a favorite metal choice for engaged and newly married couples. One of the most rare precious metals, the white luster of platinum metal perfectly complements the sparkle of a diamond, which is why it’s so popular for engagement rings and wedding bands. Platinum is twice as heavy as 14-karat gold, and is considered much stronger by expert jewelers. In fact, gold typically melts at about 1,800°F, while platinum can withstand temperatures of up to 3,100°F.

Additionally, platinum is more expensive than its gold and palladium counterparts because of its strength and density – jewelers find it notoriously hard to work with. Much of the cost of a platinum engagement ring or wedding band can be attributed to the degree of expertise needed to work with it. Unlike with a gold ring, a platinum ring requires a special order to be resized.

The advantages to a platinum ring are multifold. Since the metal is so strong, platinum engagement rings and wedding bands are more durable than their gold counterparts, meaning that they’ll last longer. Platinum also beautifully highlights the color and clarity of diamonds, providing a ring that’s sure to be a showstopper.

Palladium. Palladium has been a recent addition to the world of engagement and wedding band metals. Used as a substitute for platinum during World War II (when platinum was considered a viable resource), palladium wedding bands and engagement rings quickly grew popular due to its similar appearance and strength to platinum.

Palladium is a member of the platinum family, which means that its far more durable than its gold and yellow-gold counterparts. However, palladium is far more malleable than platinum, which means that it can be resized and shaped far more easily and for less cost. Yet this malleability comes at a price – because palladium is so easy to work with, it is considered the weaker of all alloys in the platinum family and can dull over time due to repeated exposure to heat and other natural elements.

But for those couples looking for a cheaper alternative to platinum with more durability than gold, palladium makes the perfect – and attractive – choice!

Ever wonder why your jewelry gets so dirty and tarnished so quickly? Despite being extremely durable and resistant to water stains, the repellant quality of the metal means that they’re more susceptible to stains from grease and wax. Therefore, your high-quality wedding band can garner stains and tarnish all too quickly, while your gemstones can appear diminished and tired-looking. However, this doesn’t mean that your jewelry is made of low-quality material; rather, it’s a natural occurrence that happens to even the most durable materials, like platinum and palladium.

If you’ve thought that cleaning diamond rings should be left to the professionals, then you might be surprised to learn that cleaning your jewelry is a relatively easy process that can be done right in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re looking to clean your unique engagement ring or want to bring out a touch of sparkle from your unique wedding band, then grab a cup of coffee, sit back and relax: 25karats.com has the ultimate guide on cleaning diamond, silver and gold jewelry!

Before you begin cleaning diamond rings, it’s important to ensure that all of the gemstones in your rings are tightly fastened. After all, you don’t want to lose your gemstones due to a vigorous scrubbing!

Cleaning Diamond Rings: High-quality engagement rings and unique wedding bands deserve special care and attention. When cleaning diamond rings, make sure that you use a toothbrush to scrub your diamond back to a brilliant shine. Soak your diamond ring in a solution of warm water and mild detergent for a few minutes, and then scrub your perfect engagement ring or wedding band. Set your diamond rings to dry on tissue paper. Additional tip: if there are hard-to-reach places that you can’t get with your toothbrush, use a toothpick instead. Just remember to be gentle!



Cleaning Silver Jewelry: Use a flannel cloth when cleaning silver jewelry in order to avoid scratches. Again, soak the silver jewelry in a solution of warm water and mild detergent, then rinse the silver jewelry with warm water. Clean your silver jewelry with the piece of flannel, and then set it to dry. You can also use a toothbrush with soft bristles when cleaning silver jewelry – however, remember to be gentle when polishing your silver to a brilliant shine.



Cleaning Gold Jewelry: To clean those high-quality wedding bands that are made from gold, simply soak your gold jewelry in warm water with gentle soap for about fifteen minutes. About halfway through the soak, add a couple of drops of ammonia to help combat tough tarnishes. Once the jewelry is done soaking, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the jewelry and allow to dry on soft cotton cloth. Please note, white gold jewelry should be cleaned by a professional.

For more information about how to take care of your perfect engagement ring or your unique wedding band, browse through 25karats’ extensive collection of articles, all of which are devoted to keeping your ring as beautiful as the day when you first received it!