Skip to main content
testing meta info
  • Engagement
    Choose a Style
    SolitaireSide StoneThree StoneHaloPaveAntique
    Build a Ring
    Start with the RingStart with the Diamond
    Engagement Rings
    Complete Engagement RingsDiamond Semi-Mount Rings
    Wedding Bands
    Women's Wedding BandsMen's Wedding BandsDiamond Anniversary Bands
    Browse All Engagement

    Explore All Engagement
  • Diamonds
    Search Diamonds
    Round Princess Emerald Asscher Radiant
    Cushion Oval Pear Marquise Heart
    Diamond Education
    The Four Cs of DiamondsPure Grown DiamondsBrowse Engagement RingsCaring for Diamond Jewelry
    Antwerp Diamond Interest Form
    Diamond Jewelry
    Explore Diamond JewelryLadies Diamond Rings
    Design Your Ring
    Start with the DiamondStart with the SettingLoose Diamond Search

    Diamonds
  • Jewelry
    Rings
    Women's Diamond Fashion RingsWomen's Colored Stone RingsDiamond Bands
    Earrings
    Diamond EarringsColored Stone EarringsPearl EarringsGold EarringsSilver Earrings
    Pendants & Necklaces
    Diamond Pendants & NecklacesColored Stone PendantsPearl PendantsSilver Necklaces
    Bracelets
    Diamond BraceletsColored Stone BraceletsLes Georgettes Cuff BraceletsSilver Bracelets
    Watches
    Women's Citizen WatchesMen's Citizen Watches
    Fun Corner Specials
    Browse All Jewelry

    Explore All Jewelry
  • Custom
  • Our Store
    About Our Store
    Who We AreStore ReviewsOur BlogStore EventsSocial MediaJewelry EducationReturn Policy
    Services
    Custom JewelryAll ServicesBuying & Selling GoldFinancing Options
  • Contact
  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 approximately 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
Champaign Jewelers
2223 South Neil Street
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 693-7655
Store Information
Store Hours
Monday - Friday:10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday:10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Engagement
  • Choose a Ring Setting
  • Select the Diamond
  • Browse Engagement Rings
  • Diamond Education
  • Men’s Wedding Bands
  • Financing Options
Fashion Jewelry
  • Earrings
  • Pendants & Necklaces
  • Bracelets
  • Men’s Watches
  • Women’s Watches
  • Charms
  • Financing Options
Designers
  • 302
  • Allison Kaufman
  • Ammara Stone
  • Bassali
  • Benchmark
  • Beverley K
  • Citizen
  • Ever & Ever
  • Fana
  • Forge
  • Imperial Pearls
  • Jewelry Innovations
  • Parle
  • Rego
  • Rembrandt Charms
  • Tantalum
  • Venetti
  • Waxing Poetic
Find Us On Social

© 2021 Champaign Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.