Precious Metal Alloys and Purities

Precious MetalPrecious Metal
Alloys and PuritiesAlloys and Purities
Noteworthy metals in jewelryNoteworthy metals in jewelry
making and metalworkingmaking and metalworking
Manhattan Gold & Silver | 45 W 47th Street | New York, NY 10036 | 212-398-1454

Gold and Silver AlloysGold and Silver Alloys
• Gold and silver are heavily used in jewelry
making and other crafts. However, they are
almost never used in their pure forms.
• Usually, precious metal purity is noted with a
karat ratingkarat rating or millesimalmillesimal fineness ratingfineness rating.
– The variety of useful purities and precious metal
alloys have given rise to several nicknames, myths
and misconceptions throughout history.
2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver2013 © Manhattan Gold & Silver
www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454www.mgsrefining.com | 212-398-1454

ElectrumElectrum
• Electrum is a naturally occurring gold/silver alloy that
often contains smaller amounts of other metals, such
as copper, iron or palladiumpalladium.
• Because the precise mixture of metals varies
between deposits of electrum, the color also varies.
– Electrum typically looks pale and greenish-yellow or
whitish-yellow.

Electrum vs. White GoldElectrum vs. White Gold
• Electrum’s pale color compelled ancient
people to refer to it as “white gold.”
– However, no modern white gold jewelry has the
same composition as natural electrum.
• In modern jewelry making, white gold is an
alloy of gold and nickel that is electroplated
with rhodium.

Britannia SilverBritannia Silver
• Britannia silver is a standard of purity first issued by
British parliament in 1697. It contains 95.84% silver
(the rest is usually copper).
• Britannia silver was meant to become the new metal-
working standard of purity for special and artisanal
projects – replacing sterling silver, which is 92.5%
pure.
• Aside from artisanal work, Britannia silver is also
used for the bullion coinsbullion coins produced by Britain’s
Royal Mint.

Britannia MetalBritannia Metal
• Britannia metal is a lustrous, silvery alloy but
it’s closer in composition to pewter rather
than silver.
• Britannia metal contains 93% tin, 2% copper
and 5% antimony.
– Pewter usually made of 85–99% tin with the rest
being a mixture of copper, antimony, bismuth and
lead.

Britannia Metal vs. Britannia SilverBritannia Metal vs. Britannia Silver
• Britannia metal alloy is very smooth which makes it a
perfect base metal for electroplating and gilding.
– Britannia is also commonly used as the base metal for
cutlery with silver gilded on top.
• To tell whether you have something made of
Britannia metal or Britannia silver, check for a mark
indicating millesimal fineness.
– Britannia silver should have a 958 mark
– Britannia metal will have a much lower (or non-existent)
mark.

OrichalcumOrichalcum
• Orichalcum is a metal from Greek antiquity.
• Ancient texts, like Plato’s Critias, never specifically
say whether orichalcum is an alloy or a pure metal.
– Most historians agree that orichalcum was actually a
copper alloy, possibly mixed with gold, tin, or zinc and
brass.
• Orichalcum’s closest modern-day analogue would
probably be rose goldrose gold.

Pyrite and FoolPyrite and Fool’s Gold’s Gold
• Pyrite (which can be found with natural gold
deposits) is an iron sulfide that is commonly
mistaken for gold – hence the term “fool’s gold.”
– Pyrite is much paler than gold with a more brassy, sallow
hue. Pyrite also weighs much less and is harder and more
brittle than gold.
• Pyrite can be mixed with silver to make unique
jewelry.
– It’s more commonly broken down to produce sulfuric acid
for industrial applications.

About MGSAbout MGS
• Manhattan Gold & Silver (MGS) is a precious metals refiner that has been
based in Manhattan’s historic Diamond District since 1985. We are a B2B
company that buys and recycles precious metal scraps that accumulate in
other businesses.
• We serve:
– Jewelers
– Pawnbrokers
– Dentists
– The industrial sector
– Antique dealers
– Machinists
– And more!
• MGS also creates charts, calculators, and other online tools for our
customers to use.
– Try our Precious Metals Prices app, which lets you monitor the real-time precious metals
market situation from anywhere, right from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Recycle your PreciousRecycle your Precious
Metals for ProfitMetals for Profit
• MGS accepts gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
• Payouts are based on the London Fixing.
• Up to 99% payout (among the highest in the US)
– Up to 98.5% for gold brought in for hand testing.
• Not in NYC? Ship us your precious metals using our
Ship & Sell service which offers:
– Same day wired payment (once lot is received)
– Discounted, insured shipping
– Payout calculator

Connect with MGSConnect with MGS
• For amazing facts, history and news, read our
gold and precious metals blog.
• Join the conversation about precious metals on the MGS page on
Facebook.
• Follow gold, silver, and other precious metal trends at the MGS
Twitter account.
• Circle MGS on Google+ to hear our latest updates.
• If you do business with us, connect with us on the MGS LinkedIn
page.
• To see precious metal melting and refinement in action, visit the
MGS YouTube channel.

Precious Metal Alloys and Purities

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