Ruthenium is hypoallergenic and one of the least likely jewelry metals to cause allergic reactions. This means ruthenium isn’t toxic in its solid form as used in jewelry. However, while ruthenium is hypoallergenic, it’s often alloyed with allergenic metals which then make it allergenic. Ruthenium is also used to thinly coat allergenic base metals (like … Read more
Silver 875 is a silver alloy containing 87.5% pure silver and 12.5% other metals, typically copper. It was historically used in Russia and Eastern Europe and was called “84 Zolotnik Silver” from the Russian purity system where 84/96 zolotniks equals 87.5% silver. This silver alloy is non-magnetic and generally hypoallergenic, though copper sensitivity happen occasionally. … Read more
Iridium is hypoallergenic and is one of the precious metals least likely to cause allergic reactions. However, while iridium is hypoallergenic, it can still be alloyed with allergenic metals which would then cause problems for people with metal allergies. For example, there’s known cases of people reacting to iridium in Platinum Iridium (900 Plat – … Read more
Palladium isn’t magnetic. It’s paramagnetic. It has a weak magnetic attraction ensuring pure-palladium items remain immune to magnets of any size and strength. Palladium is paramagnetic due to the presence of unpaired electrons in its electronic structure, specifically in the 4d orbitals. Palladium alloyed with magnetic and ferromagnetic metals exhibits magnetic properties. Why is Palladium … Read more
Osmium is hypoallergenic and is one of the least likely jewelry metals to cause allergic reactions. However, this only applies to osmium in solid state (osmium jewelry and osmium bullion). Osmium in powdered form oxidizes and forms osmium tetroxide, a highly toxic and corrosive substance which causes severe burns and irritation to the skin, eyes, … Read more
Ruthenium doesn’t tarnish. It’s a highly resistant metal, especially to corrosion and oxidation, even at high temperatures. Ruthenium’s resistance to tarnishing makes it a popular choice for various applications, including electrical contacts, resistors, and jewelry finishes. Ruthenium oxidizes at temperatures above 800°C. But this early oxidation forms a thin oxide layer that protects the metal … Read more
Platinum isn’t magnetic. It’s paramagnetic. Platinum is weakly attracted to a magnetic field and doesn’t retain magnetism once the field is removed. In practical terms, this means pure-platinum objects don’t stick to a magnet due to their minimal magnetic properties. Below are the common questions people have about magnetizing platinum items and jewelry and whether … Read more
Gold patina is a surface discoloration that develops on gold alloys over time due to oxidation of metals within the alloy. Pure 24k gold doesn’t patinate because it’s highly resistant to oxidation, but gold alloys containing copper, silver, nickel, or zinc patinate. This creates subtle color changes or more noticeable reddish, greenish, or yellowish hues. … Read more
Colored gold is gold that has been altered in color by alloying it with other metals or through surface treatments. Pure gold has a natural yellowish-red hue, but combining it with metals like copper, silver, palladium, nickel, or aluminum produces a wide spectrum of colors. The main colored gold types include white gold (gold mixed … Read more
White gold vermeil is jewelry made from a sterling silver base coated with a minimum 2.5-micron layer of white gold (at least 10k purity). White gold is an alloy of yellow gold mixed with white metals like silver, palladium, platinum, or nickel, then typically finished with rhodium plating for brightness. White gold vermeil it’s not … Read more