Sterling silver
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver, marked 925. It is bright, relatively affordable and develops tarnish over time. Read Sterling silver explained.
Gold karats
| Karat | Gold | Mark | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | about 99.9% | 999 | Very soft, rarely used for fine jewelry that is worn daily |
| 22K | 91.6% | 916 | Rich colour, soft |
| 18K | 75% | 750 | Rich colour, good balance of purity and durability |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 | Harder, lighter colour |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Hard; not a recognised fineness in some countries |
| 9K | 37.5% | 375 | The lowest fineness recognised as gold in several European countries |
Read Gold karats explained and 14K vs 18K gold.
Colours of gold
- Yellow gold: gold alloyed mainly with silver and copper.
- Rose gold: a higher proportion of copper gives a pink tone.
- White gold: alloyed with white metals and usually rhodium-plated.
Read White gold vs yellow gold.
Platinum
Platinum is dense, naturally white and typically used at 95% purity (950). It develops a soft patina with wear rather than losing metal. Read White gold vs platinum.
Plated and gold-filled metals
Plating is a thin layer of precious metal over a base metal; gold-filled is a thicker, mechanically bonded layer. Neither is solid gold. In Spain, a gold-plated article must be described as plated, for example "metal chapado con oro", and never simply as gold.
Hallmarks
Many countries regulate how precious metals are marked. In Spain, Law 17/1985 sets the permitted fineness of gold, silver and platinum and requires articles to be marked before they are sold. DORVETTI follows the marking rules of each market it opens.
References: Spanish Law 17/1985 on articles made of precious metals (BOE); gold content figures are standard fineness values.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, 14K or 18K gold?
18K contains more gold and has a richer colour; 14K is harder and more resistant to scratches. The better choice depends on the piece and how it will be worn.
Is white gold naturally white?
Not entirely. White gold alloys are pale, and most are plated with rhodium for a brighter white finish that may need renewing.
Does sterling silver tarnish?
Yes. Silver reacts with sulphur in the air. Tarnish can be removed with a silver cloth and slowed by storing silver in a closed pouch.
