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Fine Jewellery GuidanceFenora Guide9 min read

Fine jewellery metals guide.

The metal of a fine jewellery piece determines its colour, durability, maintenance requirements and long-term appearance. This guide explains every metal available at Fenora — 18KT yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum 950 — in plain language.

Why the metal choice matters

The metal is the permanent backdrop against which every gemstone and diamond is seen. It determines the colour character of the piece — warm or cool, yellow or white or pink. It determines the maintenance the piece needs — whether it will need replating, polishing or no intervention at all. And it determines the long-term appearance — whether the piece will look identical in 20 years or whether it will need periodic intervention to maintain its original look.

At Fenora, all metals are 18KT gold or platinum 950. Every gram of metal is recycled — no newly mined metal is used in any Fenora piece. This is a deliberate commitment to the lowest possible environmental footprint without any compromise in quality. Recycled 18KT gold and platinum 950 are identical in quality and appearance to newly refined equivalents.

“The metal is as important as the stone. I spend as much time on metal selection with clients as on stone selection. The combination is the piece — not just the diamond.”

The four Fenora metals — complete guide

18KT Yellow Gold

Warm — classic — no maintenance

75% pure gold alloyed with copper and silver to create durability. The warmest colour of the four metals. Pure gold colour — not plated, not treated. The colour is permanent. No replating ever. Maintenance: occasional professional polish to restore surface brilliance after micro-scratches accumulate from daily wear. The most traditional fine jewellery metal with centuries of history.

18KT White Gold

Cool — contemporary — requires replating

75% pure gold alloyed with white metals (palladium or nickel) and then rhodium plated to achieve the bright white finish. The rhodium plating is what creates the white colour — beneath it, white gold has a slightly warm grey tone. Maintenance: rhodium replating every 1–3 years depending on wear. The most popular metal for engagement rings and fine jewellery overall.

18KT Rose Gold

Warm pink — romantic — no maintenance

75% pure gold alloyed with a higher proportion of copper to create the characteristic pink colour. The pink is permanent — not plated. No replating ever. The colour deepens very slightly with age as a natural patina develops. Maintenance: occasional professional polish. The most romantic and distinctive of the three gold colours.

Platinum 950

Cool — prestige — naturally white

95% pure platinum alloyed with 5% iridium or ruthenium for durability. Significantly denser and heavier than gold — a platinum ring feels more substantial on the hand. Naturally white — never needs plating. The colour is permanent and never changes. Develops a natural patina over time (can be polished to restore high shine). The most durable and most prestigious fine jewellery metal.

Complete metal comparison

Factor	18KT Yellow Gold	18KT White Gold	18KT Rose Gold	Platinum 950
Colour	Warm yellow	Bright white (rhodium plated)	Warm pink	Natural cool white
Purity	75% gold	75% gold	75% gold	95% platinum
Replating required	Never	Every 1–3 years	Never	Never
Patina development	Very subtle	Rhodium wears — replating restores	Very subtle deepening of colour	Develops natural platinum patina
Weight	Standard	Standard	Standard	~60–70% heavier than gold
Hardness	Good	Good	Good	Excellent — scratch resistant
Allergen risk	Very low	Possible if nickel-alloyed white gold	Very low	None — platinum is hypoallergenic
Cost	Standard	Standard + replating over time	Standard	20–30% premium over gold

Which metal for which jewellery piece?

Jewellery Piece	Recommended Metal	Why
Engagement ring	White gold or platinum	Diamond looks most vivid against cool white metal. Platinum for most durability.
Wedding band	Match the engagement ring metal	Cohesion between the paired rings is the primary goal
Diamond stud earrings	White gold or platinum	Diamonds and cool white metal — the most classic combination
Diamond tennis bracelet	White gold or platinum	Continuous diamonds read most clearly in cool white metal
Diamond pendant necklace	Any metal — personal preference	The pendant metal should match the wearer's other jewellery
Pearl earrings or pendant	Yellow gold	The warmth of yellow gold complements the warm lustre of pearls naturally

Metal care — what each needs

Metal	Regular Care	Occasional Care	Professional Service
18KT Yellow Gold	Warm water, mild soap, soft cloth. Monthly clean.	Polish with a jewellery polishing cloth to remove light tarnish.	Professional polish every 2–3 years to restore surface after micro-scratches accumulate.
18KT White Gold	Warm water, mild soap, soft cloth. Monthly clean.	None between replating.	Rhodium replating every 1–3 years. Professional clean at same time.
18KT Rose Gold	Warm water, mild soap, soft cloth. Monthly clean.	Polish with a jewellery polishing cloth.	Professional polish every 2–3 years.
Platinum 950	Warm water, mild soap, soft cloth. Monthly clean.	None — patina is natural and considered desirable by many.	Professional polish if high shine is preferred over natural patina.

Metal questions — answered

Is 18KT gold better than 14KT?

18KT gold is 75% pure gold — 14KT is 58.5% pure. 18KT has richer colour and is more resistant to tarnish. 14KT is slightly harder (more alloy) but the difference in hardness is minimal in practice. Fenora offers 10KT, 14KT and 18KT, and recommends 18KT — the colour quality and purity standard are higher.

Is white gold or platinum better for an engagement ring?

Platinum for maximum durability and zero replating maintenance. White gold for cost efficiency — a platinum ring costs 20–30% more than white gold at the same design. Both look identical when white gold is freshly rhodium plated. Platinum is the long-term lower maintenance option.

Is Fenora metal truly recycled?

Yes. Every gram of gold and platinum used in Fenora jewellery is recycled from existing sources — not newly mined. The recycling process produces metal of identical purity, colour and properties to newly refined metal. The recycled sourcing is fully documented in the supply chain.

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Metal questions? Ask Yash Chandpara.

Book a free online consultation. Yash Chandpara explains every metal option clearly and helps you choose the right metal for your piece.

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