Why Gold, Platinum and Silver are Used to Make Jewellery in the Present Day
We buy jewellery today with a sharper eye for design, for quality, and for longevity. Yet the metals we trust have hardly changed in thousands of years.
Since the earliest civilisations, we have shaped gold into amulets, silver into coins, and later turned to platinum for its strength and resilience. Across time and cultures, these metals were chosen for their shine but also for their ability to endure. That same reason continues to guide how we choose jewellery today.
Gold, silver, and platinum each bring something distinct to the way we wear and value jewellery. These preferences, formed over centuries, still influence the choices we make. Let’s understand this on a deeper level.
How Our Need for Jewellery Shaped the Choice of Metals
Jewellery has always reflected the priorities of its time. For early societies, jewellery marked status, celebrated beliefs, and often carried protective symbolism. The metals chosen had to endure because the stories they carried were meant to last.
From symbolism to durability in early cultures
- Gold was revered in ancient Egypt and India for its warm glow and its resistance to tarnish. Artisans could shape it into fine details for crowns, pendants, and ceremonial objects that would last for generations.
- Silver, more abundant and lighter in feel, was prized for its versatility. People wore it as simple bangles or beads, and it was valued just as much for trade as for adornment.
- Platinum was known to pre-South American cultures, and only entered mainstream jewellery in the 18th century later when European jewellers discovered its strength and density. That resilience made it perfect for holding precious stones securely, a quality still prized today for diamond jewellery.
The shift from ritual to adornment
- In early agrarian societies, jewellery was tied to ritual and status, often worn only on special occasions and passed down as heirlooms.
- As trade and travel grew, people valued jewellery as both decoration and portable wealth, favouring pieces that were durable enough for long journeys.
- With the rise of cities and more public social lives, jewellery became part of everyday dressing, chosen for comfort, style, and practicality.
- The growing use of diamonds and other gemstones highlighted the need for stronger, more secure settings. This brought platinum into prominence for pieces that had to last through daily wear.
A continuous trust across eras
Despite cultural changes, the core qualities people wanted in their jewellery stayed constant. They sought metals that did not tarnish easily, which artisans could shape and retain value. They also looked for settings that could hold stones such as diamonds with lasting security.
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Did You Know? Platinum was once called the “white gold of the New World” when it was introduced to Europe in the 1700s. |
Gold: A timeless choice that keeps evolving
Gold’s cultural depth, adaptability, and technical advantages keep it central to fine jewellery.
For centuries, it has been associated with celebration and heritage. In India, gold continues to play a crucial role in weddings and festivals. Yet it has also become part of modern everyday styling, thanks to designs that make it easy to wear at work, at dinner, or on special occasions.
Versatility through colour and alloys
The adaptability of gold comes from the way it can be alloyed to change its hue and improve its strength.
- Yellow gold retains its classic, radiant glow and is often chosen for festive or ceremonial jewellery.
- White gold offers a sleek, contemporary look that pairs beautifully with diamonds and neutral tones.
- Rose gold adds a softer, romantic note that resonates with modern tastes.
Alloying gold with other metals such as copper, palladium, or zinc not only changes its colour but also makes it strong enough for daily wear.
Technical advantages of gold
Gold’s natural malleability allows jewellers to craft delicate prongs and intricate designs that can hold diamonds securely while still achieving fine detail.
It resists corrosion and tarnish, so its lustre remains over time. With the right alloying, it strikes the perfect balance between workability for artisans and durability for wearers.
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Your Gold Story Awaits Explore our gold jewellery collection at Kumari, crafted for both daily wear and celebratory moments. |
Platinum: strength and sophistication for the modern woman
Platinum has become the preferred choice for milestone jewellery because of its durability and refined appearance. It is particularly valued for engagement rings, wedding bands, and heirloom pieces.
Rarity and resilience that set it apart
Platinum is naturally white and hypoallergenic, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin. Unlike white gold, it does not need re-plating to keep its colour. It is resistant to wear and tarnish, so it maintains its form and lustre even after decades of daily use.
Technical advantages of platinum
Platinum’s density and strength make it the most reliable metal for holding diamonds and other precious stones. Its secure prongs keep gemstones firmly in place for decades, which is why it has become the preferred choice for engagement rings and other milestone pieces.
Its weight and durability give milestone jewellery a sense of permanence.
Styling platinum for contemporary elegance
Platinum’s subtle, incredible sheen pairs well with monochrome, pastel, and neutral clothing. It enhances the brilliance of diamonds and fits seamlessly into minimal, refined designs.. Many collectors prefer platinum for sleek bands, solitaires, and understated statement pieces that focus on quality and finish.
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Platinum, Perfected Experience the brilliance of our platinum jewellery collection crafted for life’s defining moments. |
Silver: a modest but enduring presence
Silver has always had a strong presence in personal ornamentation because it feels intimate, expressive, and easy to wear. Its cool-toned shine pairs naturally with textured, handcrafted, and organic designs, making it a favourite for fashion-friendly, artisanal jewellery.
Silver works beautifully for layered styling and as statement pieces. However, it does need slightly more care than gold or platinum because it can tarnish over time and is softer as a metal. This is why it is not usually chosen for heirloom pieces or for holding diamonds securely for decades. But for expressive, style-forward jewellery that evolves with the wearer, silver remains a meaningful and enduring choice.
At the Heart of Kumari: Gold and Platinum
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Style in Focus |
Gold at its best |
Kumari Pick |
Platinum at its best |
Kumari Pick |
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Everyday Wear |
Works well for versatile, layered chains and rings |
Royal Radiance Casual Diamond Ring
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Preferred for sleek bands, solitaires, and subtle staples |
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Festive & Special Occasions |
Complements colourful outfits and traditional wear |
Nesting Hoops Diamond Drops and Dangler Earrings
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Often paired with diamonds for milestone pieces |
Trinity Triumph Platinum Bali Earrings
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Expressive & Statement Styles |
Great for bold looks such as stacked bangles, layered necklaces, and statement earrings |
The Name's Bond Secretive Chain Bracelet
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Usually kept minimal to highlight gemstones |
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Weddings & Heirlooms |
Central to traditional wedding jewellery and family heirlooms |
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Often chosen for engagement rings and diamond settings |
Platinum Duplex Glow Engagement Ring
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Gifting & Milestones |
Favoured for culturally significant gifts |
Associated with premium, long-lasting milestone pieces |
Why these metals remain central to jewellery making today
Even as new materials and technology enter the market, platinum, gold, and silver stay at the core of jewellery because they meet modern expectations.
1. Beauty that defines quality
Their natural lustre enhances the brilliance of diamonds and other gemstones, ensuring that both the setting and the stone complement each other beautifully. They work well with gemstones and keep their shine with relatively little upkeep, which makes them practical as well as attractive.
2. Strength and reliability for long-term wear
Gold in alloyed forms provides a balance of strength and craftsmanship. Platinum’s density offers unmatched security for stone settings. Silver continues to suit casual and artisanal pieces but requires more regular care.
3. Value that holds over time
Gold remains a universal store of value and an integral part of cultural traditions. Platinum’s rarity and prestige make it a trusted choice for milestone pieces. Silver retains a place in affordable, style-driven jewellery.
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Caring for Your Jewellery Read our guide on jewellery care tips to keep your jewellery looking as good as new. |
Platinum, Gold, and Silver Make Meaningful Jewellery
Jewellery may change in style, but its foundation has remained remarkably constant. Platinum, gold, and silver are used to make jewellery because they continue to meet the core needs of beauty, strength, and lasting value.
At Kumari, we focus on pieces that combine thoughtful design with resilience and significance. Whether it is a layered gold bracelet worn for a festive moment, a platinum solitaire that marks a milestone, or a mixed-metal stack styled for everyday expression, the choice of metal shapes the way jewellery looks, feels, and endures.
These metals have travelled with us from ancient traditions to contemporary wardrobes, proving that the materials once chosen for their permanence and meaning still define the jewellery we value today.