In addition to various gemstones, various metals are also used in jewelry making. These metals have different colors, properties, and prices vary greatly. For beginners who are just starting to make jewelry, choosing the right metal material can seem like a tricky task. In this article, we will share with you the most commonly used metals in jewelry making to help you find the best material for your project. The following introduction will be arranged in order of metal value from high to low, so let's get started!
Platinum
White gold is actually an alloy of gold, and because of the complexity of its refining and production process, it is often rarer and more expensive than gold, especially in high purity. It has very good durability and a distinctive white luster, and some high-end jewelry is often chosen to be made with white gold, such as white gold wedding and engagement rings.
Gold
Gold, needless to say, has been considered a highly valuable precious metal since ancient times, especially 24k pure gold. It is extremely stable and corrosion-resistant, as well as soft and malleable, making it very easy to work with. Hundreds and thousands of years ago, gold was used to make all kinds of jewelry. Its golden color looks very noble. Due to the development of modern alloy technology, its color is not limited to yellow, rose gold is very popular.
Palladium
Platinum is a naturally occurring precious metal with the chemical symbol Pt. It is resistant to wear and tear, corrosion, lighter and less expensive than gold. Platinum requires little mixing with other metals and its natural color remains silvery white. Its color is close to silver, but cooler and more lustrous than silver. It does not have a yellow color like gold or the warm tones of rose gold, giving it a cool, modern white luster. It has this sheen that looks cleaner and more modern with a high-end quality when paired with gemstones such as diamonds.
Rose Gold
Rose gold is an alloy of gold, which is mixed with copper. This gives him a warm pinkish sheen that is modern and individual, suitable for necklaces, rings, earrings and other various jewelry designs. Rose gold is usually more expensive than sterling silver and stainless steel, but less than white or yellow gold. Due to the addition of copper, it is less expensive than higher purity gold.
Titanium
The advantages of titanium are obvious: it is an extremely lightweight and hard-wearing material, making it very comfortable to wear. It is also 100% anti-allergenic and is often used to design piercing jewelry. It is also cheaper than precious metals such as gold, making it affordable for most people. However, its high strength also means that it is difficult to work with, and working with titanium is not an easy task for beginners.
Silver
Silver is a very common jewelry metal, with 925 silver (containing 92.5% silver) being the most common in jewelry. It is less expensive than gold and platinum, but more expensive than stainless steel and copper. It has a nice silvery-white luster, and is also a soft metal that possesses high ductility and is easy to work with, but it also scratches and oxidizes, so many silver pieces of jewelry need to be cleaned regularly in order to maintain their luster. For beginners, metallic silver is a good choice for jewelry making.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is very common, not just in life, but in jewelry as well. It is corrosion-resistant, hard and has a shiny finish, and it is cheap, often used to make cheap jewelry in modern styles that almost everyone can afford. However, it is only suitable for mass production in industry and not for handcrafting as it is difficult to work with, even more so for beginners.
Copper
In the early days when there were not many types of metals, copper was often used to make jewelry. However, it was later discovered that copper oxidizes over time to produce a patina and loses its original luster. So now it is commonly used to make some handicrafts and simple jewelry. However, copper is the most suitable material for beginners to practice jewelry making, it is low in price and you don't have to worry about the cost. Similarly, copper is a soft metal and easy to work with. Beginners can also make beautiful patterns and works of art with copper, which can greatly enhance their confidence.
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the cheapest metals and although it is very light and easy to work with, it is not usually used as a high-end material in jewelry. Its lightweight and excellent resistance to corrosion is often used in mass-produced and modern styles of jewelry. Aluminum is still a good choice for use as a practice metal.
