Jewelry Metals

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This guide is a reference work based upon research by the author.

Precious Metals (noble metal)

- the raw materials needed for jewelry creation. 1 of the 2 major physical components of jewelry (gems, if any, are the other).

- Gold, platinum & silver are the 3 precious metals used most often in jewelry. All 3 share the qualities of allure, workability, durability & rarity.

Gold

• Mohs' hardness 2.5-3
• Specific gravity 15.6-19.33, pure form
• Color range - shades of golden yellow, silver white & orange red
• Sources - worldwide, mostly in quartz veins & placer deposits. Particularly prevalent in the Ural Mountains, Siberia, the Alps, India, China, New Zealand, Queensland, South Africa (Transvaal), Colombia, Mexico, Yukon, USA (along mountain ranges in western states).
• Astrological sign of Leo
• Viberates to number 2

Silver

• Mohs' hardness 2.5-3
• Specific gravity 10.1-10.5, pure form
• Color range - silvery white
• Sources - native silver is rare & is often associated with silver minerals. Norway, central Europe, Australia (New South Wales), Chile, Mexico, Canada (Ontario), USA (Michigan, Montana, Idaho, Colorado).
• Astrological sign of Cancer & Aquarius
• Viberates to number 4

Platinum - one of the strongest & most durable of all metals.

• Mohs' hardness 4-4.5
• Specific gravity 14-19, pure form
• Color range - metallic gray
• Sources - in ultrabasic & basic igneous rocks &, rarely, in contact aureoles. Also occurs in placer sediments because of its very high specific gravity. Principally South Africa, also Belarus, Australia, Canada & Alsaka.
• Astrological sign of Leo
• Viberates to number 7

Precious Metals Alloy

Gold alloys

• Karat gold - 10K, 14K, 18K, 24K (the type & quantity of alloying metals determine the color of the Karat gold. There are gold hues like blue, green, brown & purple.)

Silver alloys

• Sterling silver - 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper. It will "patina" over time, that is, its color will take on an antiqued look.

Platinum alloys

Base Metals

Copper

• Mohs' hardness 2.5-3
• Specific gravity 8.8-8.9
• Color range - copper red
• Sources - native copper is usually of secondary origin in copper ore veins, sandstone, limestone, slate & near igneous rocks. Southwest UK, Russia, Australia (New South Wales), Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, USA (Lake Superior, Arizona, New Mexico).
• Astrological sign of Taurus & Sagittarius
• Viberates to number 1

Zinc

Tin

• Astrological sign of Libra, Taurus & Sagittarius
• Viberates to number 7

Nickel 

Lead

• Astrological sign of Cancer & Capricorn
• Viberates to number 4

Iron

• Astrological sign of Aries, Leo & Virgo
• Viberates to number 2

Other Types of Metals

Brass
Cobalt
Gold-filled - items are made by combining a layer or layers of gold alloy to a base metal (usually brass), then rolling or drawing the metal to the desired thickness & shape. It has a long life & can be worn by most people without reactions or difficulties.

Nickel silver - it has the word silver in it but it actually contains no silver at all. It's actually made up of a combination of copper, nickel & zinc. It is popularized in German & Native American jewelry. It resembles sterling silver in color with a greyer tone.

Niobium - items are made of a hypo-allergenic metal first engineered to protect hypersonic aerospace vechicles from extreme conditions. After manufacturing into the desired shape (such as earwires, headpins, eyepins or jumprings), the naturally grey base metal is then anodized to create 6 signature colors. (It is not certified hypo-allergenic, but most metal-sensitive people can wear it comfortably.)

Pewter
Rodium
Stainless steel

Titanium - items are made of neutral grey, lightweight metal. After manufacturing into the desired shape, such as earposts, the neutral grey base metal can be anodized into 6 colors. (It is not certified hypo-allergenic, but most metal-sensitive people can wear it comfortably.)

Vermeil - sterling silver heavily electroplated with 22K gold.

Noble metals - any metal that resists corrosion & tarnishing.