Skip to main content
  • Call Us 714.868.7556
Jewelers Touch Logo
  • Engagement & Wedding
    All Engagement Rings
    All Engagement Rings
    Diamonds Wedding Bands
    Diamond Bands
    Gabriel & Co Bridal
    Amavida Bridal Make an Appointment Start a Project Financing

    Explore All Engagement & Wedding
  • Diamonds
    Search Diamonds
    Round Princess Emerald Asscher Radiant
    Cushion Oval Pear Marquise Heart
    Diamond Jewelry
    Diamond RingsDiamond EarringsDiamond PendantsDiamond NecklacesDiamond BraceletsDiamond Charms
    All Diamonds
    All Diamonds

    Diamonds
  • Shop Now
    Rings
    Engagement RingsDiamond BandsWedding BandsFashion RingsPearl RingsAnniversary Diamonds
    Earrings
    Diamond EarringsDiamond HoopsGemstone EarringsPearl EarringsGold EarringsSilver Earrings
    Pendants
    Diamond PendantsGemstone Pendants & CharmsPearl Pendant
    Necklaces
    Diamond NecklacesPearl NecklacesFashion Necklaces
    Bracelets
    Diamond BraceletsGemstone BraceletsPearl BraceletsSilver Bracelets & Anklets
    Charms
    Gold Pendants & CharmsSilver Charm & Pendants
    Men's Jewelry & Accessories
    Knives & Accessories
    Watches
    Men's WatchesWomen's Watches

    Shop Now
  • Why Jeweler's Touch
    • About US
    • Areas We Serve
    • FAQs
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Warranty
    • Jewelry Insurance
    • Blog
    • News
    • Contact
  • Custom Design
  • Services
    • Check Repair Status
    • Financing
    • Appraisals
    • Our Services
    • Gold Buy
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing The Right Setting
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • Make an Appointment
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Metals

Learn About Metals

Metals

There are many different metal types that are used to make jewelry, and we've listed some popular metal types below.

  •  Yellow Gold
  •  White Gold
  •  Rose Gold
  •  Platinum
  •  Palladium
  •  Silver
  •  Cobalt
  •  Tungsten
  •  Titanium

Yellow Gold is an alloy made of a mixture of pure gold and either zinc and copper. The higher the karat amount, the more pure the gold.

Style Information:

  • Has that classic “Gold” look
  • Pairs great with Garnets and Diamonds
  • Can be softer or easier to break depending on purity

Mohs Scale:

  • 18k 2.8 hardness level
  • 14k 3.5 to 4 hardness level

White Gold is a form of gold with a distinct pale white or cream color; its an alloy of gold and at least one white metal; either nickel, manganese, or palladium, which typically makes up apprx 10% of the alloy.

Style Information:

  • Goes great with Diamonds
  • Cheaper alternative to Platinum
  • Commonly 9-1 gold to nickel

Mohs Scale:

  • 18k 2.8 hardness level
  • 14k 3.5 to 4 hardness level

Rose Gold has a “rose” tint from the gold-copper alloy that composes it. It is also known as “pink gold” and “red gold”, and historically was very popular in Russian, which has also earned it the name “Russian Gold”, though it is far and away most well known as Rose Gold.

Style Information:

  • Highest Karat version is known as “Crown Gold”
  • Pairs great with colored stones
  • Currently trending

Mohs Scale:

  • 18k 2.75 hardness level
  • 14k 3 to 4 hardness level

Platinum is a metal that is incredibly resistant to corrosion, even at high temperatures. Apart from jewelry, Platinum is used in the treatment of cancer. Because of its white color, it will not cast any tinting on any stones that are used.

Style Information:

  • An alternative to Silver, White Gold or Palladium
  • One of the least reactive metals
  • Heaviest of the precious metals

Mohs Scale:

  • 4 to 4.5 hardness level

Palladium is a beautiful silvery-white metal that resembles Platinum. This metal has become much more valued in recent years and is used in a pure form in jewelry, and for combining with gold to form white-gold alloys. Because of its near white coloring, it will not cast any tinting on any stones it is used with.

Style Information:

  • An alternative to Platinum or Silver
  • Does not tarnish under normal conditions
  • Used as an early treatment for tuberculosis

Mohs Scale:

  • 4.75 hardness level

Silver is one of the cornerstone precious metals, silver has long been used in jewelry, currency, and investment bullion. It is extremely malleable and pairs beautifully with most stones.

Style Information:

  • Silver has been used as early as 3000 BCE
  • Very affordable
  • Associated with the ability to stop paranormal creatures such as vampires or werewolves

Mohs Scale:

  • 2.5 to 3 hardness level

Cobalt is a silver-grey highly magnetic metal, cobalt is used primarily in alloy compounds used in wear-resistant men’s wedding bands. Cobalt can appear blue-hued in the correct light.

Style Information:

  • Cobalt pigments, specifically the blue, have been used for thousands of years
  • The Democratic Republic of Congo currently extracts about 40% of the world's cobalt supply each year
  • The name Cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning “goblin ore”

Mohs Scale:

  • 5 hardness level

Tungsten has the highest boiling point and strongest tensile strength, which means it is nearly impossible to scratch, though under extreme force it will shatter. It is naturally steel grey and has a subdued look.

Style Information:

  • Production of tungsten is difficult due to its high melting point
  • Because of its conductive and anti-corrosion properties, tungsten is often used to make electrical wiring
  • Tungsten is the heaviest of all elements known to play a biological role

Mohs Scale:

  • Tungsten: 7.5 hardness level
  • Tungsten carbide: 8.5 to 9 hardness level

Titanium is an extremely versatile metal that is resistant to most types of corrosion. It’s value stems from its strength-to-density ratio, the highest amongst any metallic elements.

Style Information:

  • Extremely valuable in machinery
  • Very difficult to bend
  • Titanium is used in a variety of surgical implants and tools, as it is not likely for the body to reject it

Mohs Scale:

  • 6 hardness level

Feel free to contact us, our team of experts are here to help.

Your jewelry is special and we want you to be able to wear it with confidence.

CONTACT US VISIT US
Jeweler's Touch
Jeweler's Touch
2535 E. Imperial Highway
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 868-7556
Store Information
Menu
  • Warranties
  • Customer Testimonials
  • Our Jeweler's Touch Family
  • Create A Wish List
  • Estate
  • Careers
The Jewelers Touch BBB Business Review
Hours
Monday:Closed
Tues - Fri:10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday:10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Diamond Jewelry
  • Diamond Rings
  • Diamond Earrings
  • Diamond Pendants
  • Diamond Necklaces
  • Diamond Bracelets
  • Diamond Charms
Collections
  • A. Jaffe
  • Alex Woo
  • Allison Kaufman
  • Ammara Stone
  • Ashi
  • Benchmark
  • Dean Davidson
  • Ela Rae
  • Fire & Ice
  • Forge
  • Freida Rothman
  • Gabriel & Co
  • Honora
  • INOX
  • Kendra Scott
  • LuvMyJewelry
  • Midas
  • Omi Gems
  • QALO
  • Rahaminov Diamonds
  • Royal Chain
  • Shinola Detroit
  • Tantalum
  • William Henry Studio
  • Yael Designs
  • Independent Jewelers Organization
  • Gemological Institute of America
  • Jewelers of America
  • Continental Buying Group
  • American Gem Society
  • BBB

© 2023 Jeweler's Touch. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.