• What is the difference between Sterling silver and Argentium in settings?

• Platinum vs White Gold

• What's refinable?

• My gold jewelry turns my skin black!

• Tips

• How do I order online?

• Are there other ways to order?

• What if I do not wish to use the online cart to order?

• How do I become a customer?

• How do I pay?

• Who do I contact if I have a question?

• Measurement Chart

• MM / Inches Conversion

What is the difference between Sterling silver and Argentium in settings?
The most important difference is that Argentium can be hardened, which should increase the durability of the setting. One hardening procedure is to use soft sheet and then heat it in an oven for 4 hrs. at 400º F of 1 hr. at 580° F. Argentium is harder than standard sterling when it is work hardened as well.

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Platinum vs White Gold
Perhaps the most frequently asked question is, "What's the difference between platinum and white gold?"  First of all, they are two, completely different metals with very different properties.  Platinum is softer than the gold used in jewelry.  Because of this, platinum does not stay bright and shiny.  For this very reason, some people prefer it to white gold, as in a very short time, the platinum takes on a satin-less-like finish with a brushed stainless like color.  On the other hand, white gold is hard and therefore, keeps its luster longer.  The price is the other main factor with gold selling in the $900 per T.O. range and platinum in the $2000 per T.O. range.

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We Are Frequently Asked About What's Refinable.
To elaborate on what we've already said in our catalog, follow the Golden Rule of "Keeping It Clean".  Gold dust clings to clothes, bottoms of shoes and permeates the air.  To entrap these particles may take a little effort but the return on your effort will be worth it.

• To prevent washing the gold from filings, buffings and other operations down the drain, provide "shop aprons".  Thin leather with a smooth surface is preferable but expensive.  As an alternative we've found aprons made from TYVEK with a Polyethylene coating to work well.  If you use fabric aprons, however, send them in for refining and not home to be washed.

• Clean out your lap tray frequently - if you use a paper towel to wipe off your bench, refine it.

• Vacuum your shop daily. Refine your vacuum cleaner bag.

• Keep a small rug by the shop door to collect gold from shoes. Refine it!

• When you change your filters in your polishing machines, refine them.

• If you renovate your shop, wash down the walls. Refine whatever you've used to wash them with.

• If you replace your carpet - refine it.

At G&S Metals, Inc. it doesn't cost extra to refine any of the above, but it will be profitable for you.

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My Gold Jewelry Turns My Skin Black.  What Causes This and How Can it be Eliminated or Minimized?
The problem stems not from the gold in the jewelry but from the corrosion of the metals that are used to color and increase the strength of the gold.  Those metals are silver, copper and nickel.

Some common solutions are to increase the amount or karat of the gold (Gold is inert) or electroplate pure gold or rhodium onto the piece.

Another solution that we recommend at G&S Metals is to use a yellow dental alloy.  The metal palladium is almost always added to dental alloys and one of the reasons is that palladium helps resist corrosion of the non-gold metals that are also in those alloys.

Unfortunately, the jewelry piece has to be remade from dental alloy but initial production of the piece for customers who have this problem is an excellent solution.

The dental alloy that G&S Metal sells is V3 – I8K equivalent.  This is for crowns, bridges and inlays and is a slightly paler yellow (because of the palladium) than 14K and 18K casting grain respectively.

It's casting characteristics are similar to 18K YELLOW casting grain.

All Jewelry Findings and Mill Products prices in our shopping cart
are based on the London PM Fix and CHANGED DAILY.

Prices are subject to change without notice.