Palladium. Haven’t heard of it? You will.

When you think of white precious metals, most will think of platinum, white gold, and silver. But you’d be leaving out one of the most versatile and beautiful white metals – Palladium. Palladium is a less well known white  precious metal that is quickly becoming a favorite of both jewelry designers and jewelry customers.

Palladium is a member of the platinum group of metals and is a naturally lustrous white metal. Why then is it so unknown? Up until recently, palladium, due to it’s chemical composition, has been an extremely difficult metal to cast. Jewelers shied away from it. But the rather recent development of 950 Palladium, an alloy of 95% palladium and 5% ruthenium, has made the metal easier to work with, and designers are flocking to this exciting metal.

Why the excitement? Well, Palladium offers a lengthy list of attractive attributes:

• Purity: Like platinum, palladium used in jewelry is 95% pure.
• Color: It’s naturally white and will not fade. It’s color is often described as steel white.
• Lightweight: It’s 40% lighter than platinum.
• Durable: It’s 12% harder than platinum, making it a great metal choice for every-day jewelry such as wedding rings.
• Hypoallergenic:  Like platinum, palladium is non-allergenic, significantly reducing the chance of skin sensitivity
• Affordable:  All of this comes at a significantly lower price than platinum. Palladium is usually priced slightly higher than 14k gold.

The result is a luxury precious metal of high purity in beautiful steel white at a non-luxury price. No wonder jewelry designers love this metal. We sure do.

Sorella offers almost every piece in our collection in palladium and have created a large number of pieces of palladium jewelry. We have extensive experience casting and finishing palladium. We love introducing our customers to this wonderful metal.

To learn more about palladium read our article on the History and Characteristics of Palladium or call or email us to discuss your very own palladium piece.

Can I Wear My Gold Ring While Roofing?

From time-to-time we’re asked how much wear and hard use our precious metal jewelry can stand up to. Jewelers have been answering this question for ages. This question comes up most often in regards to rings which are the most “in the line of fire.”

While precious metals vary in their hardness and durability, we always advise customers to avoid wearing fine and treasured jewelry in situations where the jewelry could be exposed to chemicals or come into contact with hard and abrasive surfaces. That’s a polite way of saying “NO! Do not wear your gold ring while roofing!” (By the way, that is an actual question we received.)

Some people (hmmm …. I’d say mostly men) seem to think that because precious metal is more expensive than non-precious metal, it should be more durable. But it’s precious because it’s rare, not because it’s indestructible.  Like silk compared to denim.

Sterling Silver is the softest of the precious metals. Gold is harder, but still a relatively soft metal. The hardness of gold increases as the purity decreases. The alloy that is mixed with the gold is actually harder than the gold, so the larger the percentage of alloy, the harder the piece. This means that 10k gold is harder than 14k gold, which is harder than 18k gold.

The two hardest precious metals are platinum and palladium. Palladium, is actually harder and lighter than platinum, and makes an excellent choice for an everyday ring such as wedding rings. Platinum is a hard, but heavy metal, and at the top of the pricing pyramid as it’s more scarce. A harder ring will stand up better to dings and dents, but it will still scratch, so you still need to take care with it.

Precious metals make for the finest jewelry, but all fine things need special care. Take care of your jewelry and, please, DO NOT wear your gold ring while roofing!

 

Oh, So Petite Key Pendants

With Mother’s Day sneaking up on us we wanted to add several new pieces to our line that speak particularly to Mothers.

The first are these “oh, so, petite” key pendants. Around our studio, we affectionately call them the “baby pendants” -  because they’re small, not because they’re for babies.   The pendants are only 24mm long (about an inch) and the fob is 10mm wide.

The fob at the top of the key is heart-shaped and holds either a single initial in elegant French Script or a single heart-shaped birthstone.

Each piece is available in your choice of sterling silver, 10k yellow or white gold, 14k and 18k yellow, white and rose gold, and palladium.

The keys are beautiful worn alone, but even more special when worn in multiples. Mix and match initials and birthstones and different metals to create extra visual impact. They can be worn directly on a chain or from our Heart Charm for extra flair.

A wonderful way for a mother to keep all of her children close and a personalized jewelry piece that can grow as her family grows.

Consider a Sorella Petite Key Pendant for the Mothers in your life this Mother’s Day … including yourself! Use the coupon code “petite” at checkout and receive 15% off all Petite Key Pendants between now and May 2nd!

Petite Initial Key Pendant
Petite Birthstone Key Pendant

New Script Initial Pendant is Gorgeously Girlie

Our monogram and initial jewelry has been so popular that we’re continuing to design new pieces. Our newest addition is “gorgeously girlie.”

The “Round Script Initial Pendant With Diamond” is a beautiful statement piece – classic, elegant, and sparkling with a petite diamond. This decidedly feminine pendant holds one initial in beautiful script lettering and is made even more unique with the addition of a  floral pattern carved on the back. Have it created in your choice of precious metals – sterling silver 10k, 14k and 18k gold, and palladium.

This special pendant would make a wonderful gift for the special women in your life … birthday, graduation, holiday, anniversary, or “just because.”  Or, you can do what I did and “gift” yourself! It’s no coincidence that the photo shows the letter “B” (for Beth).

To celebrate the introduction of this new piece, use the coupon code “girlie” at checkout to receive an instant 10% savings on this piece, or any piece in the store through October 31st!

New Initial Pendant With Loads of Style

We’ve just introduced a new initial pendant with simple clean lines and loads of style.  Each petite Two Initial Square Pierce Pendant is 1/2″ square with the background “pierced” (e.g. cut out) and your two initials set inside the square.

Two very different lettering styles are offered that create two very different looks. The Anna lettering style is very contemporary and a bit funky. The Lucca style is classic and elegant. You choose which style is your match.

The pendant is offered in your choice of our full range of precious metals – sterling silver, 10k yellow and white gold, 14k and 18k yellow, white and rose gold, palladium, and platinum.

The pendant looks great on either a small link chain or just a simple silk cord.

This is a piece that will always be in style and will quickly become a favorite.  I put mine on a month ago, and haven’t taken it off yet! A wonderful personalized jewlery gift for the special women in your life … including yourself!

Anna

Lucca

Next Page »