Jewelry is one of the most popular ways to show your taste and personality. It can be worn on any occasion, from formal events to casual days at home. But what metal should you pick? Many different metals are used in jewelry, each with its benefits and drawbacks. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of different types of metals for jewelry-making – so you know which ones work best for your needs!
10 Types of Metal and Its Advantages
1. Aluminum:
Aluminum is a common metal that is used in making jewelry. These are primarily used in costume jewelry and certain artisan pieces. It has an attractive sheen that can be colored in bright and vibrant shades using modern technology. Aluminum is preferred to other metals because of its malleability. Since it can be molded into any shape, aluminum makes great cuff bracelets, bib necklaces, and delicate earrings, amongst others. And to top it off, it is one of the cheaper options available in the market and does not tarnish or corrode.
2. Brass:
Brass is another popular alloy that is used for making jewelry. It is golden and can be polished to achieve an attractive shine. Like aluminum, it can also be molded into different shapes to create unique designs in your jewelry collection. Brass metals are very durable – however, they contain lead, making them toxic if worn over prolonged periods or when exposed to the skin. So while brass metal might bend without breaking, the toxicity level makes it unsuitable for use with regular wear-and-tear or direct contact against our skin.
3. Copper:
Copper is one of the most common metals used in making costume pieces because of its affordability and low price point. Even though copper does not have as much strength as other materials like titanium or gold, it is still one of the most durable metals in costume jewelry and can be used for years without showing any signs of wear and tear. However, copper does oxidize over time and may cause a greenish hue on your skin if worn against bare flesh for too long. This makes them less suitable as earrings or bracelets for regular use.
4. Bronze:
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin with a bright golden-yellow color. It can be polished to create attractive shiny pieces of jewelry. Bronze metal does not rust or tarnish over time, making it one of the most durable metals on this list – perfect for earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. However, bronze still contains lead, making them unsuitable for regular wear on bare skin.
5. Gold:
Gold is undoubtedly one of the best materials when making jewelry. It looks great with almost every other color – from white diamonds to emeralds, sapphires, rubies, etc. Gold has an unparalleled luster that cannot be achieved using alloying elements like copper or aluminum. Because of its beauty, gold is preferred for making expensive pieces or to mark special occasions like weddings and milestone events. Gold cannot be cast into different shapes, unlike other metals mentioned, because it stiffens when heated beyond a certain temperature. This limits your designs and gives you more freedom when choosing cuts like solitaires and marquise diamonds. Gold is also one of the priciest options available in the market.
6. Silver:
Silver is one of the oldest metals used by humans in making jewelry. It has a bright shine can be buffed out to produce beautiful patterns on silver jewelry. The metal does not corrode very easily. It usually takes years before you start noticing any signs of tarnish on your prized piece. However, this characteristic also makes them unsuitable for everyday wear. They tend to get dull over time due to constant contact with other materials like clothing, skin oils, etc. They are more suitable when made into expensive diamond studs because these precious stones need proper care!
7. Titanium:
Titanium metal has a lustrous silver color and an attractive matte sheen. It does not corrode or tarnish over time, making it suitable to use on bare skin without causing any green discoloration due to oxidation like copper metals. Even though titanium is durable enough to be used with everyday wear-and-tear, wearing jewelry made from this material can cause irritation. This means they are best suited for piercings rather than regular earrings or bracelets. Titanium belongs to a family of solid metals that are also used in making airplanes and spacecraft. Due to this reason, titanium jewelry pieces are exceptionally durable and can last a lifetime if maintained properly. This metal does not rust or tarnish quickly, which means your chipped diamond stud earrings will retain their beauty for years! On the downside, these metals tend to be on the pricier end of things – but they make up for it with excellent durability and style points!
8. Tungsten:
Tungsten belongs to a family of hard alloys that have been popularized by its use in wedding bands due to its scratch-resistance properties. It has an attractive sheen that makes it perfect for everyday fashion accessories such as rings, watches, bracelets, etc. These materials can withstand excessive scratching and retain their shine for years – making them perfect as everyday-wearing pieces!
9. Niobium:
Niobium is extremely lightweight and strong – making it suitable for creating beautiful jewelry pieces. These metals are also hypoallergenic, so people with sensitive skin can wear them without worrying about irritation or reaction. Niobium has a silver color that gets covered with an attractive rainbow patina when worn regularly. These materials are perfect for regular everyday-wearing pieces like earrings, rings, necklaces, etc. However, this unique quality also requires proper care to retain their looks!
10. Platinum:
Platinum is one of the rarest metals used in making jewelry. This makes it perfect when you want to give your loved ones a special gift they can cherish forever. These pieces are lustrous and have an eye-catching shine, so you don’t need any other adornments to make them stand out! Platinum does not corrode or tarnish and will retain its beauty for years with proper care and maintenance. Because platinum costs around four times the price of gold, it is used to mark special occasions like weddings, etc. It is also suitable for everyday wear since it has no discoloration issues.
Final Thoughts
The metal used in jewelry is an essential factor when choosing the right piece for you. Different metals have different benefits and disadvantages, which should be kept in mind while purchasing! For example, silver has unique properties that make it suitable for creating beautiful patterns on jewelry, but they get dull after prolonged use. Platinum is perfect if your loved ones want something special to cherish forever- however, this precious metal costs four times more than gold, so it’s only suited for people who can afford these high prices or as wedding gifts, etc. Metals like titanium are better suited for piercings than regular earrings, whereas niobium retains its shine better with normal wear. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what you are most comfortable wearing.