Different Metals in Jewelry: Pros, Cons, & Tips

The sparkle and shine of jewelry isn't just from the gems; it's also from the metals used. From affordable brass to precious platinum, you'll find jewelry in every metal you can imagine.

Each of these metals for jewelry has advantages and disadvantages, and it helps to understand a bit about the materials before you make your next purchase or get started with your next jewelry-making project. Knowing what you're buying or using is important, especially if you have metal allergies or other unique needs.

• Aluminum is very malleable and easy to work with, so jewelry artists can form it into gorgeous shapes. It is often used for cuff bracelets, elaborate bib necklaces, delicate earrings, and more.
• Compared to many other options, aluminum is a cheap metal for jewelry. It is the second most common metal on the planet.
• This metal is stable and does not tarnish or corrode when exposed to most daily activities. You can wear it in water.
• Aluminum is a lightweight material, making it perfect for large items like wide cuff bracelets. If you're designing a large piece of jewelry, it's worth considering as a metal to use.

• Brass is ideal for casting, which is creating jewelry from molds. Many costume pieces are created this way, and at-home jewelers appreciate the low melting point and the way you can cast it with sand molds.
• It is a very strong material, which means that costume jewelry products made with brass are durable.
• Brass is extremely affordable since it does not contain precious metals.

In general, brass won't corrode with regular use. The thing is, depending on the copper content, it may turn green over a long period. Unlacquered brass may need some polishing from time to time, but many jewelry manufacturers apply a clear lacquer to avoid this problem.

• Bronze is great for detail work, so you'll find gorgeous and delicate jewelry in this material.
• It is affordable as a raw material in tubes, sheets, and other forms, which makes it great for experimenting.
• With a low melting point, bronze doesn't take a ton of heat to become liquid. You can use it for casting or heat it to make it easier to bend.
• Bronze is strong and durable.

• Copper is extremely easy to work with. It's really malleable, so it's great for wire wrapping and other jewelry making. It was actually the first metal worked by jewelers in ancient civilizations.
• Copper is affordable, compared to gold and silver. However, it is more costly than alloys like brass and bronze.
• The warm color of copper makes it perfect with a range of different gems.

• Gold is incredibly malleable. Jewelers can craft it into almost any shape, whether they are wrapping beads or melting it for casting.
• In addition to the traditional warm yellow tone, there are actually several colors of gold. We're talking tons of options.
• Gold is among the most precious and expensive metals on the planet, so it's got a lot of cache. This can make it a bit intimidating for people making jewelry, though, since you don't want to waste it by making a mistake.
• Solid gold is hypoallergenic; however, some gold alloys can bother people with metal allergies.

• Niobium is corrosion-resistant, which makes this type of jewelry a practical choice.
• It's easy to cut with a jeweler's saw, and it's malleable enough to be hand-formed in some cases. It's an easy material to work with.
• This metal is hypoallergenic. In general, niobium jewelry won't bother people with metal allergies.
• It isn't a precious metal, so it's more affordable than gold, silver, and other choices.
• Niobium is strong. It's a component of alloys used in jet engines, oil rigs, and other industrial applications.
• Niobium is common in smaller jewelry pieces like rings and earrings.

• Palladium is durable, which makes it a good choice for rings and other frequently worn jewelry.
• It is more affordable than gold or platinum.
• Palladium is lighter than platinum, which means it can be used for substantial pieces.
• Palladium is hypoallergenic; however, most palladium jewelry is an alloy of 95% palladium and 5% other metals. Depending on what other metals are used, allergies could be an issue for sensitive people.

• Depending on the finishing process, pewter can be matte or shiny. Manufacturers can also apply chemicals to darken it for an antique appearance.
• Pewter is easy to work with and has a low melting point. This means that jewelers can craft a wide variety of detailed items from this metal.
• This is an affordable choice for costume jewelry and artisan pieces.

If you're considering pewter jewelry, there are a few potential disadvantages to keep in mind. For example, pewter can be prone to denting and damage, since it is so soft. Additionally, vintage pewter jewelry often contains lead, which is toxic. Modern and vintage pewter may bother people with metal allergies.

• Platinum has a beautiful white color that does not corrode or require polishing.
• This metal is rare and very valuable.
• One of the strongest metals on the planet, platinum is excellent for jewelry that needs to last a lifetime.
• Platinum works well in many jewelry designs.

Because it is so rare, platinum is one of the most expensive choices for jewelry. Because this metal is quite soft, jewelry-grade platinum is usually an alloy of 95% platinum and 5% other metals. Depending on the other metals, this can cause problems for metal-sensitive people.

• It's easy to work with. Silver melts at a lower temperature than some other precious metals, which is a bit easier for jewelers.
• You can create silver wire-wrapped jewelry with minimal training, and it's easy to find silver wire.
• Silver is strong, despite being soft.

You may also encounter silver-plated and silver-filled pieces. These items feature a layer of silver on the surface of the piece. Silver plating creates a very thin layer, which is easily damaged. Silver-filled items are more durable since they have a thicker layer of silver.

• Stainless steel resists corrosion. This means that it's a great choice if you'll be exposing your jewelry to chemicals and daily wear.
• Compared to precious metals, stainless steel is far less expensive.
• Stainless steel is quite durable when compared to many other metals.
• You'll find many items in stainless steel, including rings, earrings, watches, bracelets, and more.

Those with metal allergies may find stainless steel problematic. Since nickel is often included in the alloy, it's best to avoid stainless steel if you are sensitive to metals.

• This metal is 45% lighter than steel, making it a great choice for substantial jewelry pieces.
• Titanium is durable and strong, so it's a good choice for items you plan to wear often. It doesn't bend easily, and it resists scratching and abrasion.
• Jewelry pieces crafted from titanium resist tarnishing, so you won't have to perform a lot of upkeep on these items.
• Titanium is affordable compared to precious metals like platinum and gold.
• You can purchase pure titanium jewelry or titanium alloys that contain other metals. If you have a metal sensitivity, pure titanium is a great choice.

Titanium's biggest disadvantage is that it is difficult to work. This means that it isn't easy to resize titanium rings or other size-specific pieces, and it also means that many artisan jewelers hesitate to dabble in this material.