A precious metal is a particularly rare natural chemical element. Due to its properties, this metal has a significant monetary value. Shiny, non-corrosive and particularly resistant, precious metal has been used for thousands of years to mint coins, but also to make valuable jewelry. Thus, it is thanks to the quality of these precious metals that ancient jewelry has reached us, and that we can continue to wear it for our greatest pleasure!
LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT THE PRECIOUS METALS USED IN OLD JEWELRY!
Precious metals are an integral part of the history of jewelry. They are the ones that guarantee resistance, value and beauty to our precious ornaments. From silver to gold, without forgetting platinum, these metals enhance and give life to jewelry. I tell you everything about these inseparable elements of great jewelry!
THE PRICE OF PRECIOUS METALS
Historically, precious metals have been used as currency since Roman times. Representing a true exchange value in the literal sense of the term, these metals then logically followed a course allowing their value to be precisely determined.
Today, precious metals represent a real monetary investment. Thus, gold, platinum and silver have each received an ISO 42 17 monetary code. Nowadays, these metals are better known in the field of jewelry than in the monetary or industrial field.
The price of these precious metals is quoted in real time on all the world's stock exchanges. The price thus determined allows us to know the current and immediate value of these different precious metals.
THE DIFFERENT PRECIOUS METALS
A precious metal is by definition a rare metal. But its precious quality can also be determined by the strength of demand which then allows its value to increase on the market. In the field of jewelry, there are 3 main precious metals: silver, gold and platinum.
MONEY
Silver is a natural and precious metal. Existing in its native state, it has been used as currency for centuries, thus allowing the exchange of goods. Very malleable, silver was however quickly recognized for its ductile properties in the fields of goldsmithing and jewelry. Non-allergenic and very solid, it has indeed been used to create many jewels throughout history.
Silver is recognizable at first glance, thanks to its characteristic original color that immediately distinguishes it from other metals. Quite fluctuating, the price of silver is today estimated at around 67 cents per gram.
GOLD
Gold is one of the most widely used metals in jewelry. Malleable, it is easy to work with but also ensures great resistance to the works. It exists in several variants, determined by the color of the metal. Thus, yellow gold is the most widespread. Pink gold is more coppery in color and was very popular at the end of the 19th century. Finally, gray gold or white gold, silver in color, is very sought after because it allows to highlight fine stones such as diamonds.
There are also different levels of gold purity: while 18 carat is the purest, 14 and 9 carat jewelry are considered low grade because they have a lower percentage of gold in the alloy that composes them. Currently, the price of gold is set at 52 euros per gram.
THE VERMEIL
Vermeil is an alloy consisting mainly of silver covered with a thin layer of 18 or 22 carat gold. The electroplating technique is used to chemically plate gold on silver. This process has been widespread since ancient times. Gold leaf plating was then done manually, then gilding with mercury appeared. Nowadays, electroplating ensures real resistance to plating and is widely used in jewelry.
Many large antique ornaments and jewellery appear to be made of gold, but are in fact made of vermeil. This process was chosen for obvious reasons: its low cost compared to making it in solid gold. Thus, many gold and jewellery objects up until the beginning of the 20th century were made in vermeil.
PLATINUM
Platinum is a gray precious metal. It first appeared in jewelry in the 1920s. Quickly associated with the sublime jewelry of the Art Deco era, this metal became very popular. Particularly resistant, it allows for the safe setting of fine stones. Thus, many antique jewels available on the second-hand market were made of platinum.
Platinum is an expensive precious metal, sought after for its rarity. Its price is currently set at around 24 euros per gram.
PRECIOUS METALS HALLMARKS
Hallmarks are an essential indicator when talking about precious metals. Affixed by the master goldsmith or master jeweler on a work, they determine the level of purity of the metal making up the piece. They have existed since the 15th century in France and have since then made it possible to guarantee the title of the works.
There are two types of hallmarks: that of the master goldsmith (master's hallmark), which allows him to sign a creation, and that of the title of the metal (title hallmark) which allows to determine the percentage of precious metal in the alloy and consequently to fix the famous tax on precious metals. The hallmarks are generally affixed discreetly. They are visible to the naked eye, but more easily readable with a magnifying glass.
LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT THE PRECIOUS METALS USED IN OLD JEWELRY!
Precious metals are an integral part of the history of jewelry. They are the ones that guarantee resistance, value and beauty to our precious ornaments. From silver to gold, without forgetting platinum, these metals enhance and give life to jewelry. I tell you everything about these inseparable elements of great jewelry!
THE PRICE OF PRECIOUS METALS
Historically, precious metals have been used as currency since Roman times. Representing a true exchange value in the literal sense of the term, these metals then logically followed a course allowing their value to be precisely determined.
Today, precious metals represent a real monetary investment. Thus, gold, platinum and silver have each received an ISO 42 17 monetary code. Nowadays, these metals are better known in the field of jewelry than in the monetary or industrial field.
The price of these precious metals is quoted in real time on all the world's stock exchanges. The price thus determined allows us to know the current and immediate value of these different precious metals.
THE DIFFERENT PRECIOUS METALS
A precious metal is by definition a rare metal. But its precious quality can also be determined by the strength of demand which then allows its value to increase on the market. In the field of jewelry, there are 3 main precious metals: silver, gold and platinum.
MONEY
Silver is a natural and precious metal. Existing in its native state, it has been used as currency for centuries, thus allowing the exchange of goods. Very malleable, silver was however quickly recognized for its ductile properties in the fields of goldsmithing and jewelry. Non-allergenic and very solid, it has indeed been used to create many jewels throughout history.
Silver is recognizable at first glance, thanks to its characteristic original color that immediately distinguishes it from other metals. Quite fluctuating, the price of silver is today estimated at around 67 cents per gram.
GOLD
Gold is one of the most widely used metals in jewelry. Malleable, it is easy to work with but also ensures great resistance to the works. It exists in several variants, determined by the color of the metal. Thus, yellow gold is the most widespread. Pink gold is more coppery in color and was very popular at the end of the 19th century. Finally, gray gold or white gold, silver in color, is very sought after because it allows to highlight fine stones such as diamonds.
There are also different levels of gold purity: while 18 carat is the purest, 14 and 9 carat jewelry are considered low grade because they have a lower percentage of gold in the alloy that composes them. Currently, the price of gold is set at 52 euros per gram.
THE VERMEIL
Vermeil is an alloy consisting mainly of silver covered with a thin layer of 18 or 22 carat gold. The electroplating technique is used to chemically plate gold on silver. This process has been widespread since ancient times. Gold leaf plating was then done manually, then gilding with mercury appeared. Nowadays, electroplating ensures real resistance to plating and is widely used in jewelry.
Many large antique ornaments and jewellery appear to be made of gold, but are in fact made of vermeil. This process was chosen for obvious reasons: its low cost compared to making it in solid gold. Thus, many gold and jewellery objects up until the beginning of the 20th century were made in vermeil.
PLATINUM
Platinum is a gray precious metal. It first appeared in jewelry in the 1920s. Quickly associated with the sublime jewelry of the Art Deco era, this metal became very popular. Particularly resistant, it allows for the safe setting of fine stones. Thus, many antique jewels available on the second-hand market were made of platinum.
Platinum is an expensive precious metal, sought after for its rarity. Its price is currently set at around 24 euros per gram.
PRECIOUS METALS HALLMARKS
Hallmarks are an essential indicator when talking about precious metals. Affixed by the master goldsmith or master jeweler on a work, they determine the level of purity of the metal making up the piece. They have existed since the 15th century in France and have since then made it possible to guarantee the title of the works.
There are two types of hallmarks: that of the master goldsmith (master's hallmark), which allows him to sign a creation, and that of the title of the metal (title hallmark) which allows to determine the percentage of precious metal in the alloy and consequently to fix the famous tax on precious metals. The hallmarks are generally affixed discreetly. They are visible to the naked eye, but more easily readable with a magnifying glass.