Silver

A popular and affordable metal for jewelry, silver has been used by virtually every civilization. Relatively malleable, pure silver is softer than Gold or Platinum. Silver is usually alloyed with other metals such as copper for strength. Silver purity is expressed as parts per thousand. A commonly seen silver purity is Sterling Silver, which is 92.5 percent pure silver. Another silver purity is called 'Britannia' or '958' silver, which is 95.8 percent pure silver.

In its alloys, Felicia does not use Cadmium, Lead, Nickel or any prohibited and harmful materials. 

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver or 925 silver contains 92.5 percent pure silver and is the standard for fine silver jewelry. For every 1,000 parts of metal, 925 of them are sterling silver, and the remaining 75 of them (7.5 percent) are an alloy. 

 

Felicia Design is specialized in the production and treatment of 925 Sterling Silver.

Gold

Gold as well is a precious metal that has been used for making jewelry in every civilization. Amazingly strong, gold is also the most malleable of all precious metals. Pure gold never tarnishes or corrodes, but it is too soft for most application. Because of this, it needs to be mixed (alloyed) with other metals to improve its strength and durability. The international measure of gold fineness or purity is 'karat', which is abbreviated 'K'. This should not be confused with 'carat', the unit of weight for gemstones.

The gold content of any object is expressed as a ratio of 24 parts. The gold purities typically seen in jewelry are:

  • 24K - 100 percent pure gold (24 parts gold and 0 parts alloy)

  • 22K - 91.6 percent pure gold (22 parts gold and 2 parts alloy)

  • 18K - 75 percent pure gold (18 parts gold and 6 parts alloy)

  • 14K - 58.5 percent pure gold (14 parts gold and 10 parts alloy)

  • 10K - 41.7 percent pure gold (10 parts gold and 14 parts alloy)

  • 9K - 37.5 percent pure gold (9 parts gold and 15 parts alloy)

Gold Colors

Gold Colors are produced by varying the alloy metals. In its alloys, Felicia does not use Cadmium, Lead, Nickel or any prohibited and harmful materials. 

The three most popular colors are:  

  • Yellow Gold: Pure gold is mixed with silver, zinc and copper. Yellow is gold's most common color.

  • White Gold: A popular alternative to yellow gold. White gold is created by mixing pure yellow gold with silvery colored metals, like silver, zinc, nickel or palladium. White gold is usually plated with rhodium — a silvery metal that adds a hard, shiny finish and a bit more durability.

  • Rose Gold: Also known as pink gold or Russian gold, this color is created by mixing pure gold with silver and copper. Typically a striking pinkish rose color, the higher the copper content, the stronger the red coloration. Rose gold is increasingly used in men's horology (very expensive watches).