Gold
When buying gold, always look for the karat mark. All other things being equal, the higher the karat, the more expensive the piece of jewelry. In the U.S., 14kt gold is 14/24 or 58.33% parts pure gold, is the the most common degree of fineness.
The 14-karat gold is usually marked with 14K, 14KT or 585. 10-karat gold is 10/24 or 41.66% pure gold. Ntohing less than 10 karats can legally be marked or sold as gold jewelry in the U.S. Gold that is 10-karat is marked with 10K, 10Kt, or 417. The most common gold sold in the world is 18-Karat. It includes more pure gold. 18-karat is 18/24 or 75% pure gold; which is usually marked 18K, 18KT, or 750.
Gold is durable, sturdy, and dependable and makes an ideal setting for fine jewelry. 18-karat gold wears less quickly compared to 10-karat or 14-karat gold; over time.
Tips to Care for Gold Jewelry
To get a lifetime of enjoyment from your gold jewelry, be sure to keep it clean and safe. Do not wear your jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals. Store the fine jewelry in a box away from other pieces to preserve it from being scratched; preferably a jewelry box. Finally, in rings, check the settings at least twice a year for any damage to the mounting. you do not realize how much you use your hands until you wear a ring or braclet. If you see something out of the ordinary on your ring, bring it into Princess Jewelry and one of our jewelers will help you out.
Platinum
Only about one-third of the platinum mined today is used in jewelry. The appeal of platinum isin its appearance; its white luster is unique. It is also the strongest precious metal used in jewelry; making it ideal to last a long time over wear. Platinum is almost twice as heavy as 14-karat gold. The weight is one of platinum's strongest selling points, because it gives "heft" to fine jewelry. 
Platinum in jewelry is actually an alloyed group of six heavy metals, including platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. These other metals are so similar to platinum in weight and chemistry that most were not even distinguished from each other. It's the only precious metal used in fine jewelry that is 90% to 95% pure, largely hypoallergenic, and tarnish-resistant. Platinum is marked 900PT, 950 PLAT, or PLAT. At Princess Jewelry, we use 95% platinum (950 platinum) alloyed with 5% ruthenium to manufacture our jewelry.
Tips to Care for Platinum Jewelry
Just like gold, platinum requires a very similar care. To get a lifetime of enjoyment from your jewelry, be sure to keep it clean. Do not wear platinum jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals. Store it in a fabric-lined box away from other pieces so it does not get scratched. Check any diamonds or gemstone settings periodically for possible damage to prongs or bezels. If you see any issues with your jewelry, contact Princess Jewelry for assistance.
Palladium
Palladium is a soft silver-white metal that resembles platinum. It has almost the exact same characteristics of platinum except it is less dense and has a lower melting point compared to platinum or the other platinum group of metals. Palladium is a great alternative to platinum and less expensive than platinum. The wear on palladium jewelry is similar to platinum.
Rhodium
Rhodium is extremely hard and bright. Its primary use in jewelry is as a platinum agent to give white gold an extra shine. It also is sometimes used as an alloying agent for hardening platinum and palladium. Rhodium has both a higher melting point and lower density than platinum. It is not attached by acids and only dissolves in aqua regia. It is one of the most expensive precious metals.
Silver
Silver is a soft, white and lustrous metal. Jewelry made with silver and stamped 925 is called sterling silver. Sterling silver is harder than pure silver. In order for jewelry to be stamped 925 silver, it must have 92.5% pure fine silver and 7.5% cooper. Silver is a sturdy, durable dependable metal. Silver is used in all types of jewelry; as well as silverware. 
Tips to Care for Silver Jewelry
Silver is a softer metal compared to the other precious metals. To get a lifetime of enjoymen from your silver jewelry, be sure to keep it clean and safe. Silver does tarnish when exposed. These days silver does have a rhodium plating over it or is made with argentium silver to minimize tarnishing. The best way to keep silver clean is to use a silver cleaner or cloth. Do not wear jewelry during rough work or when handling harsh chemicals because it could destory the look of the jewelry. Store it in a box away from other pieces to preserve it from being scratched or tarnished.