Welcome to the Jewelry Education Center 

Knowledge makes every piece more meaningful.

At The Raz Co., we believe that choosing jewelry should be as enjoyable as wearing it. Our Jewelry Education Center is here to help you explore the fascinating world of gemstones, discover the differences between jewelry materials, and learn how to care for the pieces you love.

Whether you're curious about the brilliance of moissanite, the differences between natural and lab-grown gemstones, or the characteristics of sterling silver and gold-plated jewelry, we're here to help you make informed choices with confidence.

Explore our guides, discover something new, and find the pieces that reflect your personal style.

Beautiful jewelry. Informed choices. Your style, your way.

Understanding Jewelry Metals

Understanding Jewelry Metals: Silver, Gold, Platinum & More

Jewelry metals influence a piece's appearance, durability, maintenance, and price. From classic sterling silver to modern titanium and gold-plated designs, each material has its own characteristics.

At The Raz Co., we offer jewelry in a variety of materials and finishes to suit different styles, preferences, and budgets. Understanding the differences can help you select pieces you'll love wearing.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is a popular precious-metal choice for jewelry. It typically contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, often copper, which helps improve its strength.

Sterling silver has a bright, versatile appearance and works beautifully in rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

What to know:

  • It can tarnish over time when exposed to air, moisture, and certain chemicals.

  • Gentle cleaning and proper storage can help maintain its appearance.

  • It is softer than many alternative jewelry metals and can develop scratches with wear.

Look for clear material descriptions and, where applicable, a sterling silver hallmark such as 925.

Fine Silver

Fine silver contains a higher proportion of silver than sterling silver, commonly around 99.9%.

Its high silver content makes it relatively soft, which can limit its suitability for certain jewelry designs. Sterling silver is often chosen for everyday jewelry because its alloy provides additional strength.

Fine silver and sterling silver are not interchangeable terms, so check the product description to determine which material is used.

Silver-Plated Jewelry

Silver-plated jewelry consists of a base material covered with a layer of silver.

It can offer the look of silver at a different price point, but the underlying material is not solid silver. The coating may gradually wear away with friction, moisture, or repeated use.

If you prefer sterling silver, make sure the product description explicitly identifies the item as sterling silver rather than silver-plated.

Solid Gold and Gold-Plated Jewelry

Gold jewelry comes in several forms, and understanding the difference is important when shopping.

Solid Gold

Solid gold jewelry is made from gold alloy throughout the material rather than having only a surface coating of gold.

Gold purity is commonly expressed in karats:

  • 10K gold: Approximately 41.7% gold.

  • 14K gold: Approximately 58.3% gold.

  • 18K gold: Approximately 75% gold.

The remaining portion consists of other metals used to achieve the desired strength, color, and working properties.

Higher karat gold contains a greater proportion of gold, but that does not automatically make it the best choice for every design or lifestyle.

Gold-Plated Jewelry

Gold-plated jewelry has a layer of gold applied over another material. The underlying metal may be silver, another metal,

  • Understanding Gemstones

    Discover the differences between natural, lab-grown, and simulated gemstones. Learn how they compare in appearance, characteristics, and value so you can shop with confidence.

    Explore the Guide 

  • Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia

    Compare two popular diamond alternatives and discover how they differ in brilliance, durability, and overall appearance. Learn what makes each unique and choose the right sparkle for your style.

    Explore the Guide 

  • Precious Jewelry Metals

    Explore the characteristics of gold, sterling silver, platinum, titanium, and other popular jewelry metals. Discover their differences in appearance, durability, and care to help you choose jewelry with confidence.

    Explore the Guide 

  • The Birthstone Chart

    This birthstone chart includes both traditional birthstones and additional gemstones associated with particular months. While the birthstone guide highlights commonly recognized birthstones, the chart also features alternative stones and other gemstone varieties to help you explore the wider world of colored gemstones.

    Explore the Guide 

  • Jewelry Care & Longevity

    The cleaning methods illustrated in our jewelry care chart are general examples, not universal instructions for every piece of jewelry. The safest cleaning method depends on the gemstone, metal, surface treatment, setting, and overall condition of the piece. Please research the proper care method depending on the type of gem and metal in each piece of your jewelry.

    Explore the Guide 

  • Raz Co Jewelry Gift Guide

    Discover thoughtful jewelry gift ideas for every person, occasion, and budget. From timeless classics and everyday favorites to luxurious statement pieces and personalized treasures, explore different styles, meaningful options, and inspiration to help you find the perfect gift for someone special.

    Explore the Guide