How To Buy Guide - Jewelry Guide

Gold isn't everyone's cup of tea, but that's okay - there are plenty of other choices out there.

Platinum

Platinum jewelry is rarer and more expensive than gold jewelry. Like gold, platinum is usually mixed with other similar metals to create an alloy. Instead of being measured in Karats, however, platinum's purity is measured in parts per thousand (meaning that the marking 850 Platinum is 85% platinum and 15% other metals).

An item that is at least 950 parts per thousand pure platinum can simply be marked platinum. As less platinum is used in the alloy, the marking rules get more confusing – the best thing to remember is that the platinum purity should always be identified. A piece of jewelry marked 600 Plat. 350 Irid. means that it's composed of 60% platinum, 35% Iridium (both in the platinum family of metals), and 5% other metals.

Silver

If a piece of jewelry is labeled as silver or sterling silver, it means that the item contains at least 92.5% silver. The term coin silver describes items that are at least 90% silver.

Like platinum, silver can also be marked in parts per thousand, meaning that an item marked 925 silver is 92.5% silver. According to U.S. law, quality-marked silver must also bear the name or trademark of the company that will stand behind the mark. Silver-plated means a layer of silver that is bonded to a base metal.

Ready to start shopping? Click here to check out our most popular platinum earrings and silver bracelets.

Otherwise, we'll move on to everybody's favorite gemstone: the diamond.