The Best Metals for Chain and Pendant Jewellery
There are many factors to consider when choosing a metal for your jewellery. These include price, weight, how well it stands up to wear and tear, and whether you may have metal allergies.
Titanium is as strong as steel but 45% lighter, making it ideal for substantial pieces you wear daily. It also resists tarnishing and is hypoallergenic.
Stainless Steel
The most affordable and durable metal, stainless steel is excellent for everyday wear. It looks sleek and shiny, requires minimal maintenance, and won’t oxidize or corrode. It’s also hypoallergenic so it won’t bother people with metal allergies.
Sterling silver is another popular choice for chain and pendant jewellery. It’s silvery-white with cool undertones and has a beautiful lustre that doesn’t require rhodium plating or frequent polishing.
Platinum is expensive and rare, but it looks very similar to silver. It also doesn’t tarnish and can be used to make hammered disc pendants.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is a precious metal much cheaper than gold or platinum. Jewellery makers often use it for necklaces, rings, chains with pendants, and bracelets. It has a classic metallic sheen and can be shaped into intricate designs.
It is softer than titanium, gold, or platinum, though, so it can tarnish more quickly than other jewellery materials. To prevent this, it can be coated in rhodium, which gives it the look of platinum and prevents tarnishing.
Pure silver is too soft to be used in jewellery, so it’s combined with 7.5% copper to make sterling silver. This combination makes it practical for belt buckles, cuff links, earrings, and rings.
Gold
Gold is an elegant metal that has always been a symbol of luxury. It is also highly malleable and easy to work with. Solid gold is too soft for jewellery, and it’s often alloyed with other metals like zinc or copper to increase its strength.
Yellow gold is the most common, but you can also find rose and green gold. These hues are achieved by alloying pure gold with silver and copper. These alloys resist tarnish and are strong enough to hold gemstones and other detailing.
Gold is expensive and not hypoallergenic, making it less than ideal for everyday wear. It can also be softer than other metals and is less durable than titanium.
Titanium
Named after the Titans of Greek mythology, titanium has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. It is strong and a little lighter than stainless steel and resists corrosion like gold. Titanium is found in airliners and lacrosse sticks, body piercings, and medical equipment, and it’s also used in some types of jewellery.
Niobium is hypoallergenic and doesn’t rust or corrode, so it shouldn’t bother people with metal allergies. It’s a component of some alloys used in jet engines, oil rigs, and other industrial applications. Niobium can be shaped, carved, and fabricated into jewellery.
Tungsten
Tungsten is one of men’s jewellery’s most popular and durable metals. It has a cool industrial look, is super strong, is dent and bend resistant, and is hypoallergenic.
Tungsten, in its natural form, is a steel-grey to tin-white metal. It is a heavy metal with a natural heft that gives it an expensive feel.
Tungsten is mixed into alloys to make it stronger for various applications, including making drill bits and saw blades. When used for jewellery, tungsten carbide is combined with cobalt or nickel. The nickel binder protects it from rust and corrosion.
Brass
This metal is softer than gold or silver but still durable enough for rings, bracelets, and other frequently worn jewellery. It is also hypoallergenic, meaning it won’t bother people with sensitive skin.
Brass is a base metal that contains copper and zinc. It can be oxidized to create a vintage or steampunk look. It is a popular choice for jewellery casting because it is inexpensive. Brass will tarnish over time, however.
Cobalt is a newer metal that is used to make men’s rings. It is a solid and durable alloy but doesn’t have the history and romance associated with platinum, gold, and silver.
Bronze
Bronze is a durable metal that resists corrosion. It is also relatively inexpensive compared to precious metals. It was once used in armour and weapons, but it is no longer famous for this purpose because more challenging and long-lasting bronze alloys were developed.
Bronze oxidizes to produce a dark patina, a natural barrier to further corrosion. This metal is not as hard as gold or tungsten, but it still has excellent strength and can be polished to restore its shine.
Look for a reputable bronze seller with high-quality images of their products. This will help you decide whether their items are the quality you want and deserve.
