We list the precious metals commonly used in jewelry: PLATINUM, GOLD, PALLADIUM, and SILVER.

An initial difference among these various precious metals is their specific weight. The weight in grams per cubic centimeter varies from 21.45 for platinum, to 19.30 for gold, to 11.50 for palladium, and to 10.49 for silver. It follows that the same object will have a different weight depending on the metal used. It should be noted that these weights refer to metals in their pure state. As we have seen in the article "The Marks of Precious Metals", pure metals are not used in jewelry but are alloyed with others. Therefore, specific weights will vary depending on the grade. Another difference among these four metals is their color. While platinum, palladium, and silver are all gray with slight nuances among them, gold is the only one with a yellow color. Gold alloyed with other metals can take on three different colors: yellow, red, and white. The color will also vary slightly depending on the amount of pure gold; for example, an 18-karat gold will have a more intense color than a 9-karat gold. The metals used to obtain yellow gold are silver and copper, for red gold copper and silver, and for white gold palladium and silver. In jewelry, gold is the most commonly used precious metal for several reasons. This includes the possibility of having it in three colors, its hardness when alloyed at 18, 14, and 9 karats, making it perfect for jewelry making, stone setting, and its ability to remain unchanged over time.

 Platinum: It was discovered in 1736 in native Colombian gold. Its name is a diminutive of the Spanish word "plata" (silver). In its compact state, it is silver-white, slightly bluish. In the past, platinum was widely used in Russia for monetary purposes. In 1875, with an alloy of platinum and iridium, the meter and kilogram samples were built by the International Commission on Weights and Measures, which are kept in Paris. Today, it is used in jewelry to create exclusive and precious pieces. Current platinum production is estimated at around 1300 tonnes per year. 

Gold: It has historically been accepted as a store of value, a medium of exchange, and, for a long time, the basis of national and international monetary systems. It is a raw material for various productions, has ornamental value, and is therefore a consumer good with virtually unlimited durability. Gold remains an important component of the official reserves of central banks and international monetary organizations, with the European Union and its countries as the largest holders. In processing, the United States and Japan are today's primary coiners of official coins, while Italy is the world's leading producer of jewelry. Current gold production is estimated at around 3300 tonnes per year.  

Palladium: It is a metal of the platinum group, soft, ductile, lustrous; it is almost always found associated with platinum, steel-gray in color with metallic luster; very rare, it is almost always found alloyed with platinum and iridium. Current palladium production is estimated at around 215 tonnes per year. 

Silver: It is a shiny white metal used, typically alloyed with copper and gold, in the manufacture of ornamental objects, coins, cutlery, and household ornaments. Global silver production has exceeded 20,000 tonnes. Demand is primarily connected to industrial uses (particularly in electro-technical and electronic applications). 

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