How to Choose MiaDonna Simulated Diamond Jewelry

Below you will find information about each of the metal types we use, together with information about which metals are best for particular types of jewelry.

Gold Karat
There is several karats available for gold. The karat is the gold content of the metal. The karat measures the proportion of pure gold mixed with other metal alloy to make up the final metal.

The higher the proportion of gold used in the final metal, the more valuable and expensive the metal will be. So all other things being the same, an 18kt ring will be more expensive than a 14kt ring.

• 10kt gold contains 41.3% pure gold
• 14kt gold contains 58.5% pure gold
• 18kt gold contains 75% pure gold

The remainder of the metal is made up of a combination of alloys, different metals which can help to give the metal its strength and unique appearance, such as a different color.

At MiaDonna Diamond Hybrids we use 14kt and 18kt for our gold settings. Each are relatively hard and durable metals and are suitable for use in all types of fine jewelry and is also suitable for use in jewelry that is worn on an every day basis. 22ct and 24ct gold are considered too soft to be used to make wedding rings.

In practical terms, 18kt generally holds up to everyday wear better than 14kt as it ages over the years. This is one of the reasons why 18kt is normally preferred for ladies engagement rings rather than a lower karat. 14kt and 18kt are equally suitable for use in dress rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and necklaces. Many people choose 14kt for their earrings and pendants due to its lower price.

Palladium
Palladium is the newest trend in jewelry. Of late, an increasing number of white precious metal alloys have been introduced into the jewelry marketplace in answer to industry cries for a true white counterpart to the ever-popular yellow gold. The search has been on for a workable white alloy that stays white, is hypoallergenic and priced more agreeably than the often prohibitive platinum. The popularity of palladium jewelry is ever increasing as people hear how it stacks up against white gold and platinum! A rare silver-white transition metal of the platinum group, palladium resembles platinum chemically; it is silver-white and has a density of 12.

Alone or alloyed with silver or gold, palladium offers some of the same metal working properties as other jewelry metals, and remains tarnish free. It also offers jewelers a sharply different pricing point than either gold, white gold or platinum. It is more precious than silver and whiter than platinum. Because it is also lighter than platinum (nearly half the weight), more intricate necklaces and bracelets can be created capable of bearing larger gemstones with no gain in overall weight. For the same reason, palladium can be an especially good choice in earrings. With the price of platinum and gold reaching recent highs, use of palladium for jewelry has seen renewed interest domestically and abroad.

Platinum
Platinum is regarded as the preeminent metal for fine jewelry. It is more rare and more expensive than gold. It is generally 95% pure and one of the only metals that is hypoallergenic (ideal for those with sensitive skin). It is a strong, dense metal and is just about twice the weight of gold. This weight is one of platinum's strongest selling points. In addition to its strength and density, platinum has another remarkable quality - pliability. Just one gram of the metal can be drawn to produce a fine wire over one mile (almost 2 km) long. This quality has enabled jewelers to create beautifully unique engagement rings. Platinum has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years, becoming the new choice for all types of jewelry.

Tungsten
Tungsten is the new metal for men, and we have it!. With style and strength, Tungsten Carbide is a space age alloy with a distinctively masculine look and feel. Tungsten has an unmistakable dark, gun metal grey color and an invincible high gloss that sits in a class apart from any other precious metal. Tungsten rings are heavy, and Tungsten Carbide is the hardest of all metals.

It is polished to a perfect mirror finish using diamonds and, unlike other metals, it will retain the exact polish for decades to come. In fact, the only way to scratch a tungsten ring is with a diamond. No other material will affect it.

Because it has the highest melting point of any metal known, tungsten is used in space age applications and leading edge military projects. The hardness and heat resistance of tungsten is remarkable. It’s tough enduring qualities make it the perfect masculine metal for a man's ring.

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