Beaders' Guide to Jewelry Metals

Beading How-To's

Beading Resources > EncycloBEADia > Beaders' Guide to Jewelry Metals

Aluminum

Aluminum - is a pure element, commonly found with bauxite. It is a soft, durable, lightweight and non-magnetic metal that is easily shaped and resistant to corrosion.

Brass

Brass - is a metal alloy of copper and zinc, used for its long wear and bright, gold-like appearance much like bronze. Over time it may oxidize to a green color (patina).

Bronze

Bronze - is a metal alloy of copper and tin. It frequently exhibits an antiqued golden color with traces of green.

Carbon Steel

Carbon Steel - a type of steel that contains carbon, with other alloys making up a trace portion. This term is also used generically to refer to steel that's not stainless.

Copper

Copper - is a pure element. It will oxidize (or patina) over time to a green or brown color.

Fine Silver

Fine Silver - items are made from 99.9% pure silver.

Gold-Filled

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 and shape. It has a long life and can be worn by most people without allergic reactions. Our gold-filled wire is 12Kt; our gold-filled chain is 14Kt.

Gold-Finished

Silver-Finished

Copper-Finished

Nickel-Finished

Gold-Finished, Silver-Finished, Copper-Finished and Nickel-Finished - (also called Gold-, Silver-, Copper- and Nickel-Colored or ''washed'') items are electroplated with a non-standardized thickness of gold, silver, copper or nickel.

Gold-Plated

Silver-Plated

Copper-Plated

Nickel-Plated

Gold-, Silver-, Copper- and Nickel-Plated - items have an industry standard of 0.15 to 0.25 mils thickness of gold, silver, copper or nickel which is plated to the surface of the base metal.

Karat

Karat (Kt) - is the measure of fineness of gold. 24Kt is pure gold, 14Kt gold is 14 parts pure gold. The balance is alloy. 14Kt is the standard fineness used for most jewelry in the USA. Our 14Kt has a rich yellow color and has hardness and durability suitable for lasting use. Our 18Kt gold has a darker color with a deeper yellow tone.

Karat Measure	Gold/Alloy Content
24Kt	100% pure gold
18Kt	75% pure gold - 750
14Kt	58% pure gold - 580
10Kt	42% pure gold - 420
9Kt	37.5% gold - 375

Gold, White

Gold, White (KtW or Kt White) - items are made of an alloy of gold with nickel, palladium or silver and have a platinum-like color.

Gold, Rose

Gold, Rose (KtR or Kt Rose) - items are made of an alloy of gold with higher levels of copper and have a warm, rose-tinted color.

Hill Tribes Fine Silver

Hill Tribes Fine Silver - items are made from high purity silver, usually 95% to 99% pure.

Nickel Silver

Nickel Silver - items are made of an alloy, mostly containing nickel, popularized in German and Native American jewelry. Nickel silver resembles sterling silver in color, with a greyer tone.

Niobium

Niobium - items are made of a hypo-allergenic metal first engineered to protect hypersonic aerospace vehicles from extreme conditions. After manufacturing into the desired shape, such as earwires, headpins, eyepins or jumprings, the naturally grey base metal niobium is then anodized to create six signature colors. Most people who are metal-sensitive can comfortably wear niobium.

Pewter

Pewter - is an alloy of tin mixed with a small proportion of another metal, generally copper, antimony or bismuth. Silver-grey in color, it is a comparatively soft metal. It is frequently plated with silver, copper or gold.

"Pewter"

''Pewter'' - is an alloy of tin with zinc, similar in look and feel to pewter made from other pewter alloys. It is frequently plated with silver, copper or gold.

Red Bronze

Red Bronze - is an alloy of 80% copper and a blend of de-oxidizers which prevent the green verdigris coating from forming. It has a thin transparent sealant to prevent tarnishing.

Rhodium-Plated

Rhodium-Plated - items are plated with rhodium, a pure element used in the jewelry field as a whiteness protectant and anti-tarnish coating.

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel - is the generic term for grades of steel that contain more than 10% chromium. It resists corrosion, retains strength at high temperatures and is easily maintained. Two common grades are Type 304 (most common) and Type 316L.

TYPE 304 - The most common type (chromium-nickel stainless class): accounting for more than half of the stainless steel produced in the world. This grade withstands ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in typical food processing environments, and resists most chemicals. Type 304 is available in virtually all product forms and finishes, including jewelry components.
TYPE 316 - Also a chromium-nickel stainless class, 316 contains 2%-3% molybdenum (whereas 304 has none). The inclusion of molybdenum gives 316 greater resistance to various forms of deterioration.

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver - items are made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper or other alloy, proportions fixed by law. Sterling silver will "patina" over time, that is, its color will take on an antiqued look.

Sterling Silver-Filled

Sterling Silver-Filled - items are made by combining a durable outer layer of sterling silver (.925/20) surrounding a copper-alloy core. Fabrication is completed with an anti-tarnish coating to preserve the beauty. Sterling silver-filled items handle like sterling silver.

Titanium

Titanium - items are made of neutral grey, lightweight metal. Titanium can be anodized to create color, similar to niobium. Most people who are metal-sensitive can comfortably wear titanium.

Troy Ounce - the weight system used for precious metals, differs from a standard avoirdupois ounce, the weight system used for food and non-precious metal items. Only precious metal uses the troy ounce system. One troy ounce = 31.1 grams. One avoirdupois ounce = 28.4 grams.