Skip to main content
FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $100
  • Make an Appointment
  • Account
  • My Wish List
  • My Cart
Valentine's Jewelry
  • Discover Diamonds
    Search Diamonds
    Round Princess Emerald Asscher Radiant
    Cushion Oval Pear Marquise Heart
    Diamond Education
    The Four Cs of DiamondsCaring for Diamond Jewelry
    Diamonds
    Antwerp DiamondsPure Grown DiamondsBellissima
    Design a Ring
    Design a Ring

    Discover Diamonds
  • Engagement
    Shop Engagement Rings
    Diamond Engagement RingsHearts on Fire Engagement RingsPlatinum Diamond Engagement RingsBrowse All Engagement Rings
    Design a Ring
    Design a Ring
    Search for Diamonds
    Search for Diamonds
    Browse all Engagement
    Browse all Engagement

    Explore All Engagement
  • Fine Jewelry
    Bracelets
    Bangle BraceletsDiamond BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver BraceletsGemstone BraceletsPearl BraceletsAlternative Metal Bracelets
    Charms & Pins
    Charms
    Children's Jewelry
    Children's BraceletsChildren's EarringsChildren's NecklaceChildren's PendantChildren's RingChildren's Watch
    Dining & Entertaining
    Baby & ChildrenDinnerwareDrinkwareFlatwareFramesGiftwareServing PiecesSpecialty
    Earrings
    Diamond EarringsGold EarringsSilver EarringsGemstone EarringsPearl EarringsEarring Jackets
    Engagement Rings
    Diamond Engagement RingsPlatinum Engagement Rings
    Fashion Rings
    Diamond Fashion RingsGold Fashion RingsSilver Fashion RingsGemstone RingsGemstone Fashion RingsPearl Fashion RingsToe Rings
    Men's Jewelry
    All Men's JewelryCufflinks
    Necklaces & Pendants
    Diamond Necklaces & PendantsGemstone Necklaces & PendantsGold Necklaces & PendantsLocketsNecklacesPearl Necklaces & PendantsPendantsSilver Necklaces & PendantsAnklets
    Other
    Loose Colored GemstonesBeads
    Rings Watches
    Men's WatchesWomen's WatchesUnisex WatchesSwiss Army Watches
    Wedding & Anniversary Bands
    Ladies BandsDiamond Wedding & Anniversary BandsMens BandWedding BandsAlternative Metal Wedding BandsAnniversary Bands
    SetsPinsSilver ChainsSilver NecklacesGold ChainsDiamond Stud EarringsGold CharmsStud EarringsGold NecklacesDiamond NecklacesHoop EarringsChainsSilver RingsSilver CharmsGold PendantsGemstone Pendants

    Fine Jewelry
  • Brands
    House DesignDiadoriHonoraLashbrook DesignsLuca by HendersonQaloEli JewelsStullerCrislu40 Nine WatchesShy Creation
    Beatriz BallRoyal ChainTrue RomanceAsherHouse DesignAdd-A-PearlViscontiFrederic SageRoman + JulesMidasTwogether
    Kiddie KraftCordovaWith YouEncoreINOXWith You LocketsEstate JewelryYvelDilamaniLeslie'sAmen
    Cat Fever / Dog FeverMark SchneiderRembrandt CharmsCherie DoriMartin FlyerHendersen CollectionVictorinoxHearts on FireCharles Garnier ParisOvernight

    Brands
  • Sale
  • Education
  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 approximately 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
Support
  • Appointments
  • Creating a Wish List
  • Jewelry Education
Education
  • Jewelry Education
  • The Four Cs of Diamonds
  • Diamond Buying Tips
  • Choosing the Ring
  • Birthstone Guide
  • Gemstone Guide
  • Precious Metals
  • Caring for Fine Jewelry
  • Diamond Cleaning
  • Gemstone Cleaning
  • Anniversary Guide
  • Gold Buying Guide
Company
  • About Valentine’s
  • Contact Us
  • Appointments
  • Store Reviews
  • Financing Options
  • Our Policies
  • Privacy Policy
  • News & Events
  • Social Media
Fine Jewelry
  • Engagement Rings
  • Wedding & Anniversary Bands
  • Pendants & Necklaces
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Fashion Rings
  • Watches
  • Men’s Jewelry
  • Pure Grown Diamonds
Designers
  • Alisa
  • Asher
  • Bridal Bells
  • Charles Garnier Paris
  • Cordova
  • Dilamani
  • Eli Jewels
  • Fana
  • Frederic Sage
  • Hearts on Fire
  • The Henderson Collection
  • Honora
  • Imperial Pearls
  • Lashbrook
  • Mark Schneider
  • Martin Flyer
  • Mixables
  • Twogether
Valentine’s Jewelry
Valentine's Jewelry
2465-2 SR 309
Dallas, PA 18612
(570) 675-6945
Store Information
Hours
Monday:Closed
Tuesday - Wednesday:10:00am - 5:30pm
Thursday:10:00am - 7:00pm
Friday:10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday:10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Gold Buying
  • American Gold Buying
Connect
  • Gemological Institute of America
  • Independent Jewelers Organization
  • Preferred Jewelers International

© 2022 Valentine's Fine Jewelry. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.