Novel jewellery material that combines pure gold and pure platinum to give decorative patterns and contrasting colour effects has been produced with the use of powder metallurgy.

Gold and platinum powders can be arranged in desirable patterns in a die. These can be compacted and sintered to a solid material that has many of the wearing and working properties of the individual metals. The material can be drilled, filed, sawn, soldered, polished and rolled, and is ideally suited for jewellery pieces in low-wear applications.

Maximum colour contrast is obtained when the two metals both have a matte finish, or when the platinum is polished and the gold is given a matte finish.

The pure gold and pure platinum components ensure that jewellery made from the material has high intrinsic value. Decorative precious metals composites introduce a new concept to gold/platinum jewellery design.

Author: S.S. Taylor