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Gold vermeil, or just vermeil, is a term used to refer to jewellery or other items made of silver and coated with gold. The word “vermeil” comes from the French and is pronounced “ver-may.” Vermeil jewellery is made by first creating the base of the item in silver and then plating it with a layer of gold. This method is called electrolysis.

The essential difference between vermeil and gold-plated jewellery is that vermeil items have a base made of silver, whereas plated and filled pieces can be made with a variety of base metals such as bronze. For this reason, vermeil jewellery is generally more valuable than comparable gold-plated items.

One of the world's rarest metals, palladium makes for a band that's high in quality and, relatively speaking, lower in price than other high-quality metals. With the increase in the price of gold and platinum, palladium is one of the best choices for those with a lower budget who don't want to sacrifice quality or beauty.

The metal is similar to platinum in that it's hypo-allergenic and keeps well over time.

it's strong and never tarnishes over the years. It doesn't require plating or other metals for protection - it will stay white without regular maintenance and care. While it's in the same group as platinum and looks very similar, it's much lighter than its sister metal.

It was officially recognised as a precious metal in 2010, and it's now a legal requirement that any palladium ring that weighs more than 1 gram is hallmarked. It's even been said that palladium is rarer than gold.

Platinum is a white metal and the most expensive and prestigious option for a ring. It is long wearing and already exceptionally white, so it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum is also used in rings at almost 100% purity. It is a dense metal, so a platinum ring will feel heavier on the hand than other options. Because of its higher cost, platinum is most often used in men's and women's wedding and engagement rings.

Whilst gold contains a combination of metals, platinum's purity makes it naturally hypoallergenic and non reactive, ideal for those with skin sensitivities. Denser than gold and twice as dense than silver, it can be quite heavy but this is a favourable quality, especially for men. Despite its durability, like most metals, it does tend to wear a little over time and will scratch if it comes into contact with stronger materials, such as diamonds or steel. Unlike gold, platinum doesn't chip away but instead the scratches are seen as indentations that can be easily re-polished