Skip to main content
Shelle Jewelers, Inc logo
  • New Arrivals
  • Engagement
    Engagement Rings
    Ready to Ship RingsShop all Engagement RingsLooking for Something Custom?
    Wedding Bands
    Ladies Wedding BandsMen’s Wedding Bands
    Bridal Designers
    A. JaffeAshiCoast DiamondCrown RingDanhovFacet BarcelonaFanaView All
    Loose Stones
    Start with a DiamondDiamond Education
    Financing
    Financing Options

    Explore All Engagement
  • Shop Jewelry
    Fashion Rings
    Diamond Fashion RingsColored Stone RingsPearl Fashion RingsGold Fashion RingsSilver Fashion Rings with StonesSilver Fashion Rings without Stones
    Earrings
    Diamond EarringsDiamond Stud EarringsColored Stone EarringsPearl EarringsGold EarringsSilver Earrings
    Bracelets
    Diamond BraceletsGold BraceletsColored Stone BraceletsSilver Bracelets
    Necklaces
    Diamond NecklacesColored Stone NecklacesPearl NecklacesGold NecklacesSilver Necklaces
    Pendants
    Diamond PendantsColored Stone PendantsPearl PendantsSilver Pendants
    Watches
    Men's WatchesWomen's Watches

    Explore All Shop Jewelry
  • Diamonds
  • Designers
    A. JaffeA. LinkAshiBeny SoferChristopher DesignsCoast DiamondCrown RingDANHOVDavid Kord
    Facer BarcelonaFanaFire and IceGabriel & Co.GurhanLuminoxLuventeMarco Dal MasoMarrika Desert Gold
    MastoloniMeira T.My Story by Jackie CohenNorman SilvermanOdeliaOra NicolePejay CreationsPesaventoRoberto Coin
    Roberto DomigleoS. Kashi & SonsSavoiaShellé SignaturesVdoraVictorinox

    Designers
  • Custom
  • Contact
  • About
    About Us
    Our StoryCharityMeet Our TeamOur ServicesReviews & Testimonials
    Stay Connected
    EventsBlogSocial Media

    Explore All About
    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
    Shelle Jewelers, Inc
    322 Skokie Blvd
    Northbrook, IL 60062-1625
    (847) 559-1155
    Store Information
    Hours
    Monday - Friday:10:00am - 5:30pm
    Saturday:10:00am - 4:00pm
    Sunday:Closed
    Designers
    • A. Jaffe
    • A. Link
    • Beny Sofer
    • Christopher Designs
    • Coast
    • Crown Ring
    • View All
    Categories
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Bands
    • Rings
    • Earrings
    • Necklaces
    • Pendants
    • Bracelets
    • Watches
    Newsletter

    Enter your email below to sign up for our newsletter.

    Follow Us
    • Buy with Affirm!

    © 2022 Shelle Jewelers, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.