Understanding The Hallmark Of Your 14K Gold Wedding Band

The PMS 14kp markings on a gold wedding band indicate that the ring is made of 14-karat gold alloyed with platinum. The 14k refers to the purity of the gold, with 14 out of 24 parts of the metal being pure gold, while the p stands for platinum. The platinum enhances the durability and strength of the gold, giving it a brighter and whiter appearance. The KP also indicates that the gold content is exact and not below 14 karats.

PMS is likely an outdated maker's mark

The "PMS" part of the stamp is likely an outdated maker's mark, which has been used by Premesco Inc. in the past. Over time, companies may change or update their hallmarks, so older pieces of jewellery may have different markings than newer ones. It is also possible that the "PMS" could stand for a different maker or company, but without further information, it is challenging to determine the exact origin.

Hallmarks on jewellery, such as wedding bands, are essential for several reasons. Firstly, they provide valuable information about the composition and quality of the metal. This is especially important for gold jewellery, as different karat ratings indicate the purity of the gold and, consequently, its value. Secondly, hallmarks can help identify the maker or manufacturer of the piece, which can be useful for authentication and valuation purposes.

In addition to the "PMS 14kp" stamp, other markings that may be found on gold jewellery include the purity in parts per thousand or the maker's mark. These markings are often accompanied by a symbol or logo that further identifies the maker or manufacturer. For example, some jewellery may have a stamp that includes a letter or symbol followed by the karat rating, such as "14k".

When it comes to the value of a gold wedding band, several factors come into play. The weight of the gold, the quality of the craftsmanship, and the current market value of gold all contribute to the overall worth. Additionally, if the ring is handmade or has unique design elements, its value can increase. Therefore, it is essential to consider all these aspects when determining the value of a gold wedding band with the "PMS 14kp" marking.

14kp means 14-karat gold purity

The "14kp" marking on a ring indicates that it is made of 14-karat gold alloyed with platinum. Karat refers to the purity of gold, with 24 karats being the highest and purest form. 14-karat gold contains 58.3% pure gold, while the remaining percentage consists of other metals. The "P" in "14kp" stands for platinum, and the "K" stands for karat. The inclusion of platinum enhances the durability and strength of the gold, making it an excellent choice for jewellery meant to withstand everyday wear and tear.

The addition of platinum also enhances the whiteness of the gold. Platinum is a naturally white metal that creates a brighter and more brilliant appearance. This makes 14kp gold a popular choice for those who prefer the look of white gold but want the durability and affordability of 14-karat gold. The platinum content in 14kp gold is usually around 5-10%, ensuring that the gold retains its white colour while maintaining its structural integrity.

It's worth noting that the additional platinum content may also contribute to the overall value of the jewellery piece. The platinum content gives 14kp gold enhanced shine and luster compared to other metals. The added alloys, such as copper and silver, contribute to its beautiful appearance by enhancing the reflective properties of the gold.

The "kp" in 14kp stands for "karat plumb", indicating that the gold content is precisely 14 karats. This means that 58.3% of the metal is pure gold, with the rest being alloyed metals such as copper or silver. This combination gives 14kp gold jewellery strength and resilience, making it more durable and long-lasting.

The process of alloying, or mixing other metals with pure 24-carat gold, gives malleable gold more durability and can also change its colour. Yellow gold jewellery is still the most popular colour, but today, gold is available in a diverse range of colours. White gold, for example, is created by alloying pure gold with white metals such as palladium or silver. The inclusion of copper results in the soft pink complexion of rose gold, while more unusual colours such as blue and purple can be obtained from the addition of patinas or oxides on the alloy surface.

The 'p' in 14kp stands for platinum

The "P" in 14kp stands for platinum, indicating that the piece of jewellery is made of 14-karat gold alloyed with platinum. Karat refers to the purity of gold, with 24 karats being the highest and purest form. 14 karat gold contains 58.3% pure gold, while the remaining percentage consists of other metals. In this case, the other metal alloyed with gold is platinum.

Platinum enhances the durability and strength of the gold, making it an excellent choice for jewellery meant to withstand everyday wear and tear. It also provides a white colour, unlike regular 14 karat gold, which tends to have a yellowish hue. Platinum acts as a bleaching agent, giving the gold a brighter and whiter appearance. This makes 14kp gold a popular choice for those who prefer the look of white gold but want the durability and affordability of 14 karat gold.

The platinum content in 14kp gold is typically around 5-10%, although this may vary depending on the manufacturer. This percentage ensures that the gold retains its white colour while maintaining its structural integrity. It's worth noting that the additional platinum content may also contribute to the overall value of the jewellery piece.

When shopping for gold jewellery, you may come across various markings that indicate the composition and quality of the gold. The "P" in 14kp is a clear indication that platinum has been alloyed with the gold, providing enhanced durability and a whiter colour.

In conclusion, the "P" in 14kp stands for platinum, and this marking signifies that the jewellery piece contains an alloy of 14 karat gold and platinum, resulting in improved whiteness, shine, and durability.

Platinum enhances durability and gives a white colour

Platinum is a precious metal that is widely recognised for its lustrous, white colour. This rich, white colour enhances the brilliance of jewellery and will forever maintain its shining luminosity. Platinum is also resistant to tarnishing and discolouration, making it a popular choice for jewellery that will be worn every day.

Platinum is a rare metal, with only a few hundred tonnes mined annually. It is also one of the heaviest, weighing 60% more than gold. Its rarity and weight make it a coveted treasure and a symbol of true love, purity, rarity and strength.

Platinum is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. It is also highly resistant to corrosion and more ductile than gold, silver or copper. This allows platinum to be used in a variety of applications, including jewellery, automobiles, chemicals and electronics.

Platinum is an extremely valuable metal due to its special physical properties. In jewellery, it is typically composed of 95% platinum and 5% cobalt or palladium. This composition is represented by the hallmark "950 platinum". A lower-grade platinum alloy is also available, containing 90% platinum and 10% other metals, marked as "900 platinum".

Platinum is a harder metal than white gold, making it less susceptible to scratches and dents. However, it is less malleable, meaning it is more difficult to bend and shape. When platinum is scratched, the metal is merely displaced, rather than lost, creating a patina over time.

Platinum is a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands due to its rarity, durability and hypoallergenic properties. It is also a preferred metal for securing gemstones as it is denser and less brittle than gold.

Platinum's white colour is natural, and it does not require any mixtures or plating to achieve or maintain this colour. This sets it apart from white gold, which is an alloy of gold and other white metals, such as palladium, nickel, zinc, copper or silver. White gold often requires rhodium plating to maintain its bright white colour and may need to be replated every few years.

Platinum's density and weight make it a durable choice for jewellery. It does not wear away and can securely hold precious stones. While platinum can scratch, these scratches are merely a displacement of the metal, and its volume remains intact.

In summary, platinum's white colour, durability, strength and hypoallergenic properties make it an ideal choice for jewellery, particularly engagement and wedding rings. Its rarity and weight also contribute to its value and symbolic significance.

Karat indicates purity, with 24-karat being the purest

Karat, denoted by 'k', is a measurement of the fineness of a piece of gold. Fineness refers to the weight of fine metal that a piece of gold contains in proportion to the total weight, including alloyed metals and any impurities. In other words, it is a measure of purity. Pure gold that has not been mixed with any other metals is the highest possible karat, denoted as 24 karat (24k) gold.

Gold is rarely used in its purest form for jewellery because of its softness, malleability, and tendency to scratch and mark. Therefore, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewellery, which alters its malleability, colour, and other properties. The more an alloy is mixed with pure gold, the lower the number of karats.

Gold is most often mixed with either silver, zinc, copper, or palladium, creating a different number of karats and different colours of gold, such as rose gold or white gold. Traditional karats used in gold jewellery include 24k, 22k, 18k, 14k, and 10k. 18k gold is the most common and generally the most sought-after karat used in jewellery. This means that 18 out of 24 parts of the piece is pure gold, while the remaining six parts are made up of other alloys, making the jewellery more durable, better for everyday wear, and slightly cheaper.

The lower the number of karats, the less amount of pure gold the piece contains, making it more affordable, more durable, and more suitable for daily use. For example, 14k gold contains 58.3% pure gold, while the remaining percentage consists of other metals. In the case of 14kp gold, the 'p' stands for platinum, which is alloyed with the gold to enhance its white colour and durability.

Frequently asked questions