Why Are Gold and Platinum Suitable for Making Jewellery

Jewellery metals must satisfy several core criteria: durability under everyday wear, aesthetic appeal (colour, finish, lustre), ability to be worked into fine detail (malleability, ductility), and compatibility with gemstones and skin. Both gold and platinum meet these criteria, though in different ways.

1. Gold
   • Gold in its pure form (24 karat) is highly malleable and ductile, which allows craftsmen to create intricate designs and filigree work.
   • It has a long heritage in jewellery-making, which makes it trusted, familiar and culturally valuable.
   • Gold alloys (such as 18K, 14K) combine gold with other metals (copper, silver, palladium, nickel) enabling a variety of colours (yellow, rose, white) and improved hardness.
   • From the aesthetic perspective, gold’s warm tones (yellow or rose) strongly complement many gemstones and skin tones; white gold offers a cost-effective “white metal” look.
2. Platinum
   • Platinum is a naturally white metal (no plating required for colour), which gives it a premium feel and a clean, bright backdrop for gemstones, especially diamonds.
   • It is very dense (heavier than gold) and often alloyed at high purity (typically ≈ 90-95% platinum) in jewellery pieces; this contributes to a solid feel and excellent longevity.
   • The chemical and physical stability of platinum (resistance to tarnish, corrosion) makes it well-suited for precious jewellery that is worn every day.
   • Its naturally white colour means it maintains that colour without needing to be re-plated (unlike many white gold pieces).

In summary, both gold and platinum are excellent choices for jewellery: gold for its versatility, colour options and historical familiarity; platinum for its premium feel, high purity, white finish and durability. The decision often comes down to budget, style preference, and intended lifetime of wear.