Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to footer
  • EducationToggle Jewelry Education Menu
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing the Ring
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • Contact
  • SearchToggle Toolbar Search Menu
  • (607) 734-9400
Ray Jewelers logo
  • Bridal
    • Start with the Diamond
    • Start with the Ring
    • Diamond Education
    • Choosing the Right Ring
  • Brands
    • Gabriel & Co. Engagement Rings
    • Gabriel & Co. Fashion
    • Brevani
    • Allison Kaufman
    • Ashi Diamonds
    • Benchmark Wedding Bands
    • Cape Cod Bracelets & Jewelry
    • Carla Corporation American Made Jewelry
    • Charles Garnier
    • Citizen Signature Watches
    • Diamonds from Antwerp, Belgium
    • Finger Lakes Jewelry
    • Fingerprint Jewelry
    • Forge
    • Hug
    • Imperial Pearls
    • INOX Jewelry
    • Keith Jack
    • Lake Watches - Wateresque
    • Leslie's Gold Jewelry
    • M-Clip Men's Accessories
    • Michou Jewelry
    • Ostbye Bridal Jewelry & More
    • Overnight Mountings
    • Parle Gemstone Jewelry
    • Petals Of Honor
    • Rembrandt Charms
    • Royal Chain Jewelry
    • Seiko Watches
    • Stuller Bridal, Family Jewelry
    • T.Jazelle
    • Tantalum
    • Unique Settings
  • Jewelry
    • Bridal Jewelry
        Engagement RingsWomen's Wedding BandsMen's Wedding Bands
    • Rings
        Silver RingsGold Fashion RingsDiamond Fashion RingsGemstone Rings
    • Earrings
        Pearl EarringsSilver EarringsGemstone EarringsGold EarringsDiamond Earrings
    • Necklaces and Pendants
        Silver ChainsGold ChainsPearl Necklaces and PendantsGemstone Necklaces and PendantsDiamond Necklaces and PendantsSilver Necklaces and PendantsGold Necklaces and Pendants
    • Bracelets
        Men's BraceletsPearl BraceletsGemstone BraceletsDiamond BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver Bracelets
    • Watches
        Women's WatchesMen's Watches
    • Diamonds
        Diamonds by SizeDiamonds by ShapeGIA Certified DiamondsAntwerp Diamonds
    • Petals of Honor
  • Diamonds
    • Search for Diamonds
    • Diamonds from Antwerp
  • Our Store
    • Our Store
    • Gabriel & Co. Bridal
    • Jewelry Repair
    • HOME
    • Bridal Jewelry
    • Jewelry Landing Page
    • Gabriel bridal
    • Gabriel Fashion
    • Antwerp Diamonds
    • Watch Repair
    • Diamonds From Antwerp, Belgium
    • Cleaning
    • Your Master IJO Jeweler
    • Engraving
    • Custom Jewelry Design
    • Pearl Stringing
    • FAQ's
    • Our Services
    • Financing
  • Services
    • Jewelry Repair
    • Jewelry Cleaning
    • Watch Repair
    • Engraving
    • Custom Jewelry Design
    • Pearl Restringing
    • Financing
  • AccountToggle My Account Menu
    Forgot Password?

    Don't have an account? Sign up now

  • My BagToggle Shopping Cart
  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
Ray Jewelers
Ray Jewelers
Wegmans Plaza
1100 Clemens Center Parkway
Elmira, NY 14901
(607) 734-9400
Store Information
Hours
Monday:Closed
Tues - Fri:10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday:10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Follow Us
Jewelry
  • Bridal Jewelry
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Necklaces and Pendants
  • Bracelets
  • Watches
  • Diamonds
  • Petals of Honor
Our Store
  • Our Store
  • Your Master IJO Jeweler
  • FAQ's
Designers
  • Gabriel & Co. Engagement Rings
  • Gabriel & Co. Fashion
  • Brevani
  • Allison Kaufman
  • Ashi Diamonds
  • Benchmark Wedding Bands
  • Cape Cod Bracelets & Jewelry
  • Carla Corporation American Made Jewelry
  • Charles Garnier
  • Citizen Signature Watches
  • Diamonds from Antwerp, Belgium
  • Finger Lakes Jewelry
  • Fingerprint Jewelry
  • Forge
  • Hug
  • Imperial Pearls
  • INOX Jewelry
  • Keith Jack
  • Lake Watches - Wateresque
  • Leslie's Gold Jewelry
  • M-Clip Men's Accessories
  • Michou Jewelry
  • Ostbye Bridal Jewelry & More
  • Overnight Mountings
  • Parle Gemstone Jewelry
  • Petals Of Honor
  • Rembrandt Charms
  • Royal Chain Jewelry
  • Seiko Watches
  • Stuller Bridal, Family Jewelry
  • T.Jazelle
  • Tantalum
  • Unique Settings
Exclusive Offers

Signup for special offers and discounts.

  • Gemological Institute of America
  • Independent Jewelers Organization
  • Retail Jewelers Organization

© 2025 Ray Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.