Each style can be ordered in any of the following precious metals:
- Argentum (5% platinum, 92.5% fine silver)
Argentum offers the following benefits versus Traditional Sterling Silver:
Rich, deep white sheen with an excellent surface finish.
Outstanding tarnish resistance - no plating required.
Significantly increased hardness.
Greater weight density, thus creating a product with more heft (2.9% heavier).
The cachet of owning jewelry in a specialty precious metal with many "platinum-like" qualities. 14K Gold (yellow, white, red)
18K Gold (yellow, white, red
Platinum
Some styles, particularly bracelets, come in multiple parts. This makes two-tone and multi-metal combinations a nice option. Some commonly ordered pairings are as follows:
Argentum & 18KT yellow gold
14KT or 18KT
yellow gold with white golds, or vice versa14KT or 18KT
white gold with red golds, or vice versa18KT yellow gold with platinum or vice versa
Tri-color combination of yellow, red, and white golds
Use your imagination!
The following metallurgical tests were performed on our Argentum:
Tarnish Resistance
Tarnish tests were performed on our Argentum at an East Coast metallurgical lab. The "tarnish rate" is plotted on a scale of 1 to 5... with 1 being best and 5 being worst.
Argentum ... 2.5 | Traditional Sterling Silver ... 5.0 |
Hardness
Hardness tests were performed on our Argentumon a Rockwell R-15T, and Vickers tests were performed at an East Coast metallurgical lab. The higher the number, the harder the metal.
Argentum | Traditional Sterling Silver |
Rockwell ..... 63 | Rockwell ..... 58 - 59 |
Vickers ....... 76 | Vickers .............. 75 |
On any particular style, the approximate precious metal weight of the finished piece is expressed in grams next to the indicated precious metal. Gold weights are based upon all yellow gold parts.
Standard ring weights are based upon the stock size of the particular style, generally size 10-11 for men and 6¼ - 7¼ for women.
Bracelet weights are derived from the stock length of the particular bracelet with a lobster closure, usually 8¼ - 8¾”. Bracelets with toggle closures will be heavier as the actual length must be greater because of the "play" required for toggle closures. The toggle assemblies also add noticeable weight.