METALS & FINISHES

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE WEARING.

Not all gold is the same, and not every gold-colored piece is made the same way.

At DOC Company, we work with different metals and finishes to offer different options in quality, style and price.

From 925 Sterling Silver to 9K, 10K, 14K and 18K solid gold, as well as gold plating, Gold Vermeil and rhodium finishes.

Here's what you really need to know.

WHAT DO 9K, 10K, 14K AND 18K MEAN?

The K (karat) tells you how much pure gold is present in an alloy.

Pure gold is 24K, approximately 99.9% gold.

But pure gold is relatively soft. That's why gold used in jewelry is usually mixed with other metals to achieve different levels of strength, color and durability.

9K — 375

37.5% gold

Solid gold with a lower gold content and a more accessible price.

10K — 417

41.7% gold

A durable option combining real gold with a more accessible price.

14K — 585

58.5% gold

One of the most popular balances between gold content, durability and price.

18K — 750

75% gold

Higher gold content and, in yellow gold, generally a richer gold tone. A classic premium jewelry option.

24K — 999

≈99.9% gold

Almost pure gold. Its greater softness is one reason lower karats are widely used for jewelry designed for regular wear.

GOLD COLORS

YELLOW. WHITE. ROSE.

Karat tells you how much gold is in the alloy, but it doesn't necessarily tell you what color the jewelry will be.

The final color also depends on the other metals used in the alloy.

YELLOW GOLD

The classic gold look: warm, elegant and instantly recognizable.

WHITE GOLD

Gold is combined with other metals to create a whiter appearance.

Many white gold pieces are also rhodium plated to achieve an even brighter, whiter and more reflective finish.

ROSE GOLD

Its characteristic pink tone is usually created by using a higher proportion of copper in the alloy.

Same gold.

Different alloys.

Different styles.

925 STERLING SILVER

REAL SILVER.

If you've ever seen:

925

stamped inside a ring, chain or bracelet, it has a meaning.

925 Sterling Silver is made from:

92.5% SILVER

• 
  

7.5% OTHER METALS

Pure silver is relatively soft, which is why this alloy is used to make it more practical for jewelry.

925 = 92.5% SILVER

It's a real precious metal, offering a premium appearance at a considerably more accessible price than solid gold.

SOLID GOLD, GOLD PLATING & VERMEIL

THEY'RE NOT THE SAME THING.

This is where understanding exactly what you're buying really matters.

SOLID GOLD

In a 9K, 10K, 14K or 18K piece, the gold-containing alloy forms the body of the jewelry itself.

For example:

14K = 58.5% GOLD THROUGHOUT THE ALLOY

It's not simply an outer layer.

GOLD PLATED

With gold-plated jewelry, a layer of real gold is applied to the surface of another metal.

This creates the characteristic gold appearance while keeping the price much more accessible than solid gold.

GOLD VERMEIL

This is a different option.

Gold Vermeil combines:

925 STERLING SILVER

as the base metal,

with

REAL GOLD OF AT LEAST 10K

and a coating of:

AT LEAST 2.5 μm OF GOLD

That means you have a precious metal underneath and real gold on the surface, with a substantial gold coating.

It's a premium option for achieving the appearance of gold without reaching the price of a solid-gold piece.

RHODIUM PLATING

THAT BRIGHT WHITE FINISH.

Rhodium is a precious metal from the platinum group.

In jewelry, it's used as a finish to create an especially:

White

Bright

Reflective

Clean

surface.

It's commonly used on white gold and can also be applied to 925 Sterling Silver.

That intense, polished white finish you see on many premium jewelry pieces often comes from rhodium.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Besides changing the appearance of the piece, it creates a surface layer that helps protect the metal underneath.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR JEWELRY

Jewelry with surface finishes benefits from a little care.

To help maintain its appearance for longer, we recommend reducing frequent contact with:

Perfume

Chemicals

Chlorine

Salt water

and storing your jewelry properly when you're not wearing it.

A good care routine helps preserve the finish and brilliance of your piece for longer.

SO, WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

There isn't one perfect material for everyone.

It depends on what you're looking for.

925 STERLING SILVER

92.5% silver.

A real precious metal and an accessible option for jewelry.

GOLD PLATED

Real gold applied over another metal.

The gold look at a much more accessible price.

GOLD VERMEIL

925 Silver + at least 2.5 μm of gold.

A precious-metal base with a more substantial gold finish.

9K / 10K GOLD

37.5% / 41.7% gold.

Solid gold at a more accessible price.

14K GOLD

58.5% gold.

A great balance between gold content, durability and price.

18K GOLD

75% gold.

Higher gold content and a classic premium option.

RHODIUM

A precious metal from the platinum group.

Used to create that bright, white and highly reflective finish.