....which we have summarised into a precious metals guide for you:
Platinum
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 tantilising gun metal colour. Often chosen by those who have a bigger budget (platinum can easily be twice the price of 18ct gold), and by jewellers who are setting rather large diamonds!
Platinum jewellery will contain the hallmark 950, which means it is 95% pure.
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 you'll possibly have to re-rhodium plate your wedding rings.
9ct white gold
Aclean and crisp whiteness is acheived with 9ct white gold. However, it is only 37.5% pure (its alloys are silver and zinc), and it is therefore quite a brittle material that it not very resiliant to stress and harmful chemicals. 9ct gold is about half as expensive as 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 handmade wedding rings for centuries, and most people will wear their wedding rings for decades! 18ct yellow gold tends to be a little less exepnsive than 18ct white gold.
9ct yellow gold
A softer, more buttery yellow appearance than 18ct yellow gold. But still fresh and full of sunshine. As 9ct white gold, 9ct yellow gold is only 37.5% pure. Because 18ct gold is twice as pure as 9ct, overall it is the more durable metal, and will retain its appearance better too.
Sterling silver
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. Because it is softer than gold or platinum, people rarely choose silver for their handmade wedding rings.
If you would like to know how to care for your silver jewellery, please click here.