Learn about the metal qualities shown, so you know what you're buying.
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Metal
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Color
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Finish
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Characteristics
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Hypo-Allergenic
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Platinum
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White with a cool undertone
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Resistant to wear: shows scratches; slowly dulls to a patina finish
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Maintains surface embellishments such as engraving and milgrain: pure metal
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Yes
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18K Yellow Gold
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Rich yellow
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Shows scratches: polishes as worn
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75% pure gold content; international standard for jewelry; combines purity with performance
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No
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14K Yellow Gold
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Yellow
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Show scratches; polishes as worn
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58.5% pure gold content; traditional karat of choice in US
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No
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10K Yellow Gold
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Pale yellow
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Show scratches; polishes as worn
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41% pure gold content; lower gold contents makes the jewelry harder and more affordable
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No
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White Gold
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White with a yellow undertone
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Shows scratches; polishes as worn
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Rigid; more brittle than platinum; wears over time
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No
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ContinuumTM
Sterling Silver |
Bright white
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Show scratches; polishes as worn
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More tarnish resistant than traditional sterling silver; hard enough to set stones securely
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Yes
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Sterling Silver
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Silvery-white with a slight pink undertone
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Shows scratches; polishes as worn; tarnishes
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malleable; less suitable for everyday jewelry because it wears away more quickly
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No
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Palladium
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Bright white
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Show scratches; extreme tarnish resistant
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Easier to work with for fabrication and casting operations
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Yes
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