At some jewellery stores making an informed decision can really test your mettle. Some have high-pressure salespeople who don’t really seem to know much more about jewellery than you do - but that doesn’t stop them from wanting to sell you something, anything - preferably RIGHT NOW.

Other so-called "jewellers" can hardly be called a "jewellery store" at all. If you can walk across the store and buy an electric drill or pick up a gallon of milk…well, you are NOT in a jewellery store.

La Mine D’Or is a full-service jewellery store that has been around for 30 years. We’re not some new-kid-on-the-block. We know more than a little about the precious metals that are our canvasses. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to learn about the different metals we use to turn an element on the Periodic Table into a stunning, wearable work of art.

Gold

From Ancient Egypt to the Maya people of the Yucatan peninsula, for almost as long as there have been people around to treasure it, gold has represented love, mystery, and spirituality. Once you choose gold as the foundation for your wedding jewellery, there are a few more decisions to make…

Yellow Gold

This is the type of gold that is most often used and the type most folks think of when they hear the word "Gold." Since "pure" gold would be too soft to hold a shape for long, it is alloyed, or blended, with traces of other metals to lend it added strength. Yellow gold is alloyed with silver and/or copper.

White Gold

This type of gold is so named because, well, it is whiter than yellow gold. This is due to the fact that it’s alloyed with higher percentages of nickel or palladium. White gold can also contain other white metals.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is simply a gold that is alloyed with a touch more copper, giving it a reddish - or rose - tint. Also referred to as red or pink gold, rose gold also usually contains traces of silver.

Green Gold

First of all, green gold isn’t actually green. This type of gold is 18 to 14 carats and is alloyed with different percentages of silver, zinc, or cadmium.

Palladium

Palladium is not a new metal, but it is relatively new to the jewellery scene. It is in the platinum family of metals and is also used in its pure form and right now falls in a price range between gold and platinum. Look for much more jewellery to be made from it in the future.

Platinum

No one precious metal is better than any other - It’s just a matter of personal preference and taste. But it says something that a hit record goes gold when it sells 500,000 copies - and platinum when it sells a million!

Platinum has become increasing popular, largely because its unique luster enhances the brilliance of diamonds better than gold does.

Of all the precious metals used to craft jewellery, platinum is the only one that is used in its purest form - up to 90% to 95% pure. Platinum is also hypoallergenic and is very tarnish-resistant.

When shopping for platinum, look for jewellery pieces that are marked 900Pt, 950 Plat., or Plat.

Sterling Silver

Silver is probably the most worn of all the precious metals. Its timeless, understated elegance and beauty have been cherished and admired for millennia. But not only is silver the most popular precious metal, it is also one of the most imitated ones. The savvy shopper is wise to consider a few tips before saying "High Ho, Silver!"

• Check for blemishes, imperfections, or signs of tarnishing.
• Silver chains should be laid flat to make sure there are no kinks or bends.
• Any clasps, pins, or earring posts should be checked for strength and durability.