SvenskaDifferent Metals
CHOOSING YOUR METAL
The choice of metal is a very personal choice. Metal colors suit people in different ways and sometimes the option may even be traditional over fashionable. All A.P. Shaps jewelry pieces are made with metals that are well accepted for jewelry production. However, it is important to remember that all metals will eventually get scratches and markings. The amount of wear and tear a jewelry piece succumbs to depends on the wearer.
Platinum
Platinum is naturally white, and its white appearance and shine are reminiscent of white gold and silver.Platinum has a high density and is exceptionally durable. Because of its durability, this metal is well suited for use in jewelry. Platinum does not require maintenance to the same extent as jewelry made of gold.
Despite its rather hard density and natural white color, platinum can scratch and show markings similar to gold jewelry. A.P. Shaps jewelry is made of 950 platinum, meaning the metal is featuring at least 95% pure platinum and 5% other alloys.
Maintenance
Platinum jewelry needs to be polished occasionally. We recommend our clients to visit us once a year and the service is free. The service takes 1-2 days.
White Gold
White gold is reminiscent of silver and platinum with its white color. Pure gold acquires this color by being alloyed with other metals such as silver, palladium or manganese. A.P. Shaps is only working in 18K White Gold, meaning it is containing 75% pure gold and 25% other alloys.
The white gold used by A.P. Shaps contains 16% palladium, giving it its extra white color. However, to provide the striking cold white color and to enhance the luster, it is plated with a platinum group metaled known as rhodium. Because most of the white gold metals are yellow-toned gold, the rhodium treatment may need to be repeated as it will wear off with time.
Maintenance
White gold jewelry needs to be polished regularly and re-rhodium plated every so often. We recommend to rhodium-plate your jewelry once a year. This service is free of charge for jewelry purchased at A.P. Shaps. The service takes 1-2 days.
Yellow Gold
A.P. Shaps is only working in 18K Yellow Gold, meaning it is containing 75% pure gold and 25% other alloys. Yellow gold is usually alloyed with silver with a green tone and red-toned copper to highlight the warm, shiny color. This color is the most common gold color in the golden yellow tone.
Maintenance
Yellow gold jewelry needs to be polished sometimes. We recommend our clients to visit us once a year for cleaning and polishing. This service is free. The service takes 1-2 days.
Rose Gold
A.P. Shaps is only working in 18K Rose Gold, meaning it is containing 75% pure gold and 25% other alloys. The pink, soft tone of rose gold is created by adding more copper (and less other alloys) into the gold mixture.
Maintenance
Rose gold jewelry needs to be polished up every now and then. We recommend our clients to visit us once a year and the service is free. The service takes up to 1-2 days.