All About Metals

Base Metal

A base metal is one that oxidizes or corrodes easily and reacts with hydrochloric acid. Iron, nickel, lead, and zinc are base metals. While Copper oxidizes easily, it does not react with hydrochloric acid. Base metals are often used under coatings of gold for Gold Filled or Gold Plated jewelry.

Ferrous Metal

These are metals which contain iron and are usually magnetic. Wrought iron is pure iron, Steel contains iron.

Noble Metal

Noble metals are resistant to corrosion. Gold, silver, platinum are examples of noble metals.

Precious Metal

Gold, Silver, and Platinum are examples of precious metals. Precious metals have a high economic value.

Silver Types

Fine Silver

Fine Silver is 99.9% silver, hence is labeled 999. Fine silver is too soft to use in jewelry parts which require strength. This silver does not tarnish.

Hill Tribe Silver (Thai)

This silver is 96.0% to 99.0% pure silver. This silver usually does not tarnish.

Britannia Silver

This silver is 95.84% pure silver, and 4.16% copper.

Sterling Silver

This silver is 92.5% pure silver. Copper usually makes up the remaining 7.5%. This silver will tarnish

Argentium Sterling Silver

This silver is 92.5% pure silver, and 7.5% germanium. This silver rarely tarnishes.

Mexican Silver

This silver is now 92.5% pure silver. Older Mexican silver was 95.0%-98.0% pure silver.

Coin Silver

This silver is 90.0% pure silver. Copper usually makes up the remaining 10%.

German Silver

See nickel silver.

Nickel Silver

This 'silver' contains no silver. It contains copper (60-65%), zinc (17-20%), and nickel (18-20%).

Silver Plate

A base metal is coated with a thin layer of pure silver which can/will wear off over time, and the base metal will show through.

Copper

The copper used in jewelry making can either be 'bright' copper or 'antique' copper. Bright copper is simply well polished copper. It may have a thin, invisible layer of lacquer which protects it from interacting with the oxygen in the air. The lacquer will wear off (not noticeable), and the copper will then 'age' and darken in its reddish-brown color. 'Antique' copper is pre-aged. Copper can turn green when it makes contact with acids that are found in perspiration, cosmetics, or ocean water. If skin turns green, it is easily washed off. Copper can be coated with clear nail polish, often three or more coats, to prevent/delay oxidation. I finish my jewelry made with copper with Renaissance Wax, which forms a clear coat and preserves the color, delaying tarnishing.

Brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. (Alloy is a combination of two or more metals). There are two types or colors of brass used in jewelry: Yellow brass is 70% zinc and 30% copper, while red brass, also called Merlin's Gold, is 70-85% copper and 15-30% zinc. Red brass or Merlin's Gold has a glow similar to 12k Gold. Zinc tarnishes in moist air.

Pewter

Also called Britannia Metal, is made of 91% (85-99%) tin, 7.5% Antimony, and 1.5% copper. Lead used to be used in making pewter 4-15%, which would give pewter a bluish color. It will tarnish to a dull gray over time. It is heavier and softer than sterling silver.

Bronze

Bronze is an alloy of copper, tin, and sometimes other metals.

White Gold

White gold (18k or 14k) contains a silver-colored metal, usually nickel (majority), and also zinc, and copper. Pure gold is designated as 24k (karat) and is very soft. Gold that is 24k is 24 parts gold or 100%; gold that is 18k, has 18 parts gold, and 6 parts of other metals. Gold jewelry is usually designated as 22k, 18k, 14k, or 10k; the lower the k number, the less gold and more silver-colored metals the item contains.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 11.5% chromium. Steel is an alloy consisting mostly of iron, with carbon content between 0.2 and 2.04% by weight, depending on grade. Carbon is the most cost-effective alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten.