Metals 101: A Guide to Gold, Silver, Vermeil & Plated Jewelry

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\ \ Metals 101\ \ The beauty of a piece of jewelry starts beneath the surface. From solid gold and sterling silver to vermeil and plating, understanding the materials behind your jewelry can help you invest wisely, shop intentionally and build a collection designed to last.\ \ Shop jewelry](/content/jewelry-watches/index.html)

How to style\ \ Five outfit ideas\ \ How to style:\ \ Metals 101\ \ The foundation of jewelry, metals have more significance than just their hue. From the purity of gold and sterling silver to the technicalities of plated and vermeil constructions, the differences are why some pieces last a lifetime and others, well, don’t. Here’s a quick rundown of the most commonly used elements. Shop jewelry

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Metals 101

The foundation of jewelry, metals have more significance than just their hue. From the purity of gold and sterling silver to the technicalities of plated and vermeil constructions, the differences are why some pieces last a lifetime and others, well, don’t. Here’s a quick rundown of the most commonly used elements.

Shop jewelry

What’s in a karat?\ \ Gold’s purity falls on a 24-point scale. The higher the karat the purer the gold, but where 24k is the most valuable, it is often too soft for daily wear. For jewelry, 14k and 18k are the most popular choices as they strike a balance between color, durability and affordability.\ \ Shop gold\ \ \ \ Optional sub-header 30 chars\ \ What's in a karat?\ \ Gold’s purity falls on a 24-point scale. The higher the karat the purer the gold, but where 24k is the most valuable, it is often too soft for daily wear. For jewelry, 14k and 18k are the most popular choices as they strike a balance between color, durability and affordability.\ \ Shop gold\ \ \ \ \ \ What's in a karat?\ \ Gold’s purity falls on a 24-point scale. The higher the karat the purer the gold, but where 24k is the most valuable, it is often too soft for daily wear. For jewelry, 14k and 18k are the most popular choices as they strike a balance between color, durability and affordability.\ \ Shop gold

Gold variations

A cost-effective alternative to solid constructions, plated metals consist of a lower-quality base (commonly brass) coated with a thin layer of 14k or 18k gold. Striking a middle ground, gold vermeil is a thicker layer of gold (at least 2.5 microns to plated’s minimum of 0.5) over a precious metal like sterling silver.

\ \ Silver selects\ \ Bright, polished and endlessly versatile, sterling silver is a staple in fine jewelry. The most common form—925 sterling silver—is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metals (typically copper), which adds strength without compromising shine. Platinum offers a similar cool-toned look, but with greater rarity, density and price.\ \ Shop silver\ \ \ \ How to style\ \ Five outfit ideas\ \ How to style:\ \ Silver selects\ \ A cool-toned contrast to gold’s warm hue, 925 sterling silver—most common in jewelry—is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. Typically copper, this makes the silver more durable while maintaining shine. Less frequently used, platinum is similar in appearance to silver but significantly more expensive due to its density and rarity.\ \ Shop silver\ \ \ \ How to style\ \ Five outfit ideas\ \ How to style:\ \ Silver selects\ \ A cool-toned contrast to gold’s warm hue, 925 sterling silver—most common in jewelry—is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. Typically copper, this makes the silver more durable while maintaining shine. Less frequently used, platinum is similar in appearance to silver but significantly more expensive due to its density and rarity.\ \ Shop silver](/content/collections/jewelry-watches?pf.material=Silver%2CSterling+Silver/index.html)

Anzie

Inspired by the French "La vie en couleur," Anzie's vibrant creations feature kaleidoscopic gemstones that celebrate life's most meaningful moments. Blending heirloom sensibility with modern design, these pieces are a smart addition to any forever collection.

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Fine, fashion and demi-fine

Heirloom in quality, value and appearance, fine jewelry is hallmarked by the use of precious metals—namely solid golds over 10k and 925 sterling silver. Fashion jewelry, mostly influenced by trends instead of longevity, is made from goldtone and silvertone-coated base metals. Bridging the gap, demi-fine jewelry is typically composed of 9k gold, gold vermeil or plated sterling silver.

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