Metal Alloys

Yellow Gold

In South African jewellery, you'll discover 18ct and 9ct yellow gold. 18ct gold contains more valuable metal than 9ct gold. It is made of 75% gold, alloyed with other metals to make it strong enough for everyday wear. Since 9ct gold is composed of only 37.5% gold and 62.5% strengthening metals, its tone is less rich than 18ct gold. Because of this, 9ct gold is also more affordable and is preferred where budget and practicality are key considerations.

White Gold

Since 18ct white gold is 75% gold and 9ct white gold is 37.5% gold, both have a slight yellow tint. To enhance the whiteness, nearly all white gold is rhodium-plated—a shiny, extremely hard white metal. Over time, the plating may wear off with regular wear, revealing the underlying tone. Replating is a simple process that can restore the whiteness whenever needed.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is made from pure gold blended with copper and silver alloys. While it is real gold, it isn’t composed entirely of gold. The copper and silver strengthen the metal and create its unique rose hue. The more copper used, the redder the gold appears. A common rose gold alloy is 75% gold and 25% copper (18ct). Like white gold, rose gold is an alloy, and therefore, there is no such thing as "pure" rose gold used in jewelry.

Platinum

The most appealing quality of platinum is its resilience. Unlike other metals, which lose small amounts during scratching or polishing, platinum retains its mass. A scratch may leave a mark, but the metal itself remains intact. Most of our platinum jewellery is made of 95% pure platinum combined with 5% iridium, palladium, or other alloys. For guaranteed quality, look for stamps like 950, 950 Plat, or Plat.

Palladium

Palladium is a soft, silvery-white metal that shares many characteristics with other platinum group metals (PGMs), including a high melting point, strong resistance to corrosion, and excellent catalytic properties. Although its melting point and density are lower than other PGMs, palladium is highly durable. It becomes harder and stronger when cold-worked and can be used alone or as an additive to white gold alloys.