Jewellery Materials

When a jeweller is making a decision about a piece of jewellery, it's important to consider the types of materials suited for the purpose of the jewellery. For example, long-lasting jewellery requires premium jewellery material and craftsmanship, but with casual jewellery, price may be a more important factor. Let’s explore some of the more common materials a jewellery maker might use.

Gold

Gold in its true form is too soft to be used for jewellery making purposes, which is why it is combined with other metals to be used in jewellery.

Platinum

Platinum is widely used in jewellery making due to it being an extremely hard material in its natural state. Because of its hardness and versatility, platinum is used predominately in the jewellery industry to create the mounts for other precious gemstones such as diamonds. Platinum’s colour also tends to enhance a stones beauty.

Silver

Silver, like gold, is too soft in its natural state to make jewellery. This is why it is alloyed with other metals to give it more strength and durability. Because of the cheaper price of silver and its availability, it is used in a large number of different jewellery products.

It is also extremely popular within the jewellery industry due to it being extremely reflective. Silver is mixed with copper to produce sterling silver, which together is much harder than pure silver by itself.

White Gold

A white metal is mixed with gold to produce what is termed white gold and it is measured in carats the same as yellow gold. White gold is generally given a coating of rhodium, which gives it the same shine as platinum or silver.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is made up of gold and copper, which is usually used in specialised jewellery. Because of the reddish colour of copper, rose gold generally has a reddish tinge to the finished product and as such is used to make special jewellery.

Gemstones are used in many different forms of jewellery making such as rings and earrings. Depending on the gemstones used, they can vary greatly in price. It is important when choosing a gemstone that you make sure you match it with other metals as some work very well together and others can make the gemstone look very dull and unappealing.

It is also important to note that some gemstones are much lighter than others are and must be given a more protective covering as they can be more susceptible to knocks or scratches. With diamonds being the hardest gemstone, it can be given a much less protective covering as scratches or knocks will not affect the stone.

To find out more about jewellery materials, contact a jewellery maker from JewelleryMaker.com.au.