The World’s Most Expensive Jewellery Materials

It can sometimes come as a surprise when someone tells you what they paid for their jewellery. You can’t see why these pieces are so expensive just by looking at them but it’s likely down to the elements used to create them such as gold and precious gems.

Some materials are more valuable than others so it’s worth knowing the difference should you need to take some steps to protect your investments such as purchasing jewellery insurance. We’ve made a list of the world’s most expensive jewellery materials and researched why they’re so valuable so that you don’t have to!

Silver

This is the second-most widely used material in jewellery and is absolutely everywhere – not only in our accessories but also in coins, silverware and even dentistry! Sterling silver, in particular, is considered the standard for luxury silver jewellery as it’s the purest at over 90%.

Though undeniably valuable, silver is considerably more affordable than gold so is a great option for those who are on a budget but still looking for a high-quality piece of jewellery.

Gold

Equally as well-known as its silver sibling, gold is one of the most precious materials on the market and stands as a long-time human obsession. Its scarcity and unique physical properties are among the reasons why gold is so valuable and popular.

Gold is set apart by its colour, lustre and density, which are big parts of why it can command such high prices. Demand for it is high not just for jewellery; gold can be worked into a variety of other forms including coinage.

Platinum

Another popular treasured metal, platinum makes for durable and prestigious jewellery that competes even with gold on its retail value. An exquisite white-silver colour, platinum jewellery is designed to be hypoallergenic and impervious to corrosion.

You need a lot more platinum to make jewellery than you do for gold, which explains its heavy weight and high price tag.

Diamonds

Perhaps the byword for beautiful jewellery material, diamonds are prized worldwide for their extreme beauty and hardness. The national average cost for a diamond engagement ring is £1,471 and its pricing is determined by its colour, cut, carat weight and clarity. That kind of figure might be a shock to the system if you’re eyeing up a ring but diamonds are expensive for good reason.

The reasons why diamonds are so valuable come down to the fact that there is a limited supply of them – and that they are hard to obtain in the first place. Sorting and cutting diamonds is incredibly difficult, as is mining them, and that cost is only amplified by the fervent desire from consumers.