Gold, platinum, silver and palladium, worked in jewelry as alloys whose metal content is stated as fineness.
CIBJO counts four precious metals: platinum, gold, silver and palladium. Jewelry usually uses them as alloys, and fineness is the share of precious metal by weight, in parts per thousand. Gold is also described in karats, out of 24: 18 karat gold is 18/24ths gold, or 750 fineness, and 24 karat is fine gold. Alloys also give gold its colors. Rose gold has a higher ratio of copper to silver; white gold is alloyed with white metals, most commonly nickel, palladium and zinc, and is often plated with rhodium.
A maker’s fineness mark is a declaration, not an independent guarantee. A hallmark is. Struck by an assay office after testing, it guarantees the legal fineness and shows where the piece was marked. The London Assay Office lists the Convention standards: 375, 585, 750, 916 and 999 for gold; 850, 900, 950 and 999 for platinum.
In job listings
Precious metals appear in production listings for goldsmiths, setters, polishers and foundry staff, which may ask for experience with gold, platinum or silver alloys. The phrase signals hands-on work with the metal, at the bench or in lost-wax casting, rather than selling finished fine jewelry. See current goldsmith roles.
