Skip to main content
Godwin Jewelers, Inc. logo
  • Diamonds
    • Antwerp Diamonds
    • Trade Up
    • Diamond Search
  • Collections
    • Alex and Ani
    • Ashi
    • Benchmark
    • Charles Garnier Paris
    • Citizen
    • Forge
    • Gabriel & Co
    • Jule Vos
    • Kendra Scott
    • Lafonn
    • Luminox
    • Reactor Watches
    • Samuel B.
    • Vahan
  • Showcase
    • Silver Chains
    • Samuel B
    • Romance Collection
    • Rings
      • Diamond Engagement Rings
      • Diamond Wedding Sets
      • Women's Diamond Wedding Bands
      • Men's Diamond Wedding Bands
      • Diamond Anniversary Rings
      • Cobalt Wedding Bands
      • Women's Diamond Fashion Rings
      • Diamond Semi-mount Rings
      • Women's Colored Stone Rings
      • Women's Gold Wedding Bands
      • Men's Gold Wedding Bands
      • Women's Gold Fashion Rings
      • Silver Rings Without Stones
      • Silver Rings With Stones
      • Diamond Wedding Bands - Women's
      • Diamond Wedding Bands - Men's
      • Diamond Fashion Rings - Women's
      • Colored Stone Rings - Women's
      • Pearl Rings
      • Gold Wedding Bands - Women's
      • Gold Wedding Bands - Men's
      • Gold Fashion Rings - Women's
      • Diamond Fashion Rings - Men's
    • Earrings
      • Diamond Earrings
      • Colored Stone Earrings
      • Pearl Earrings
      • Gold Earrings
      • Silver Earrings
    • Pendants
      • Diamond Pendants
      • Colored Stone Pendants
      • Pearl Pendants
    • Bracelets
      • Diamond Bracelets
      • Colored Stone Bracelets
      • Pearl Bracelets
      • Gold Bracelets
      • Silver Bracelets
      • Alwand Vahan
      • Ronaldo
    • Watches
      • Womens Watches
      • Mens Watches
      • Watches - Women
      • Watches - Men
      • Citizen Watches - Women
      • Citizen Watches - Men
      • Luminox
      • Michael Kors
      • Fossil Watches - Women
      • Fossil Watches - Men
      • Tissot Watches
    • Movado Watches
    • Lafonn
    • Alex & Ani
    • Necklaces
      • Diamond Necklaces
      • Pearl Necklace
      • Colored Stone Necklace
    • Charms
      • Gold Pendants / Charms
      • Silver Charms
    • Ronaldo Designer Jewelry
    • Luminox Watches
    • Kendra Scott Designs
    • Wedding Bands
    • Julie Vos
    • Reactor Watches
  • News
  • About
    • Our Store
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Your Master IJO Jeweler
    • Our Services
    • Custom Design
    • Financing
    • Affiliations
    • Gold Buying Guide
    • Create a Wish List
  • Contact
    • Bainbridge
    • Thomasville
  • Log in
    • Search
    • Wish List
    • Log in
    • Search
    • Wish List
    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 Russia, 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
    Godwin Jewelers, Inc. Address
    Bainbridge
    400 East Shotwell St.
    Bainbridge, GA 39819
    (229) 246-7900
    Store Information
    Thomasville
    114 N. Broad Street
    Thomasville, GA 31792
    (229) 233-8536
    Store Information
    Out Store
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Our Blog
    • Our Services
    • Custom Design
    • Affiliations
    Designers
    • Alex and Ani
    • Ashi
    • Benchmark
    • Charles Garnier Paris
    • Citizen
    • Forge
    • Gabriel & Co
    • Jule Vos
    • Kendra Scott
    • Lafonn
    • Luminox
    • Reactor Watches
    • Samuel B.
    • Vahan
    Subscribe

    Sign up for special offers and discounts

    • Gemological Institute of America
    • Independent Jewelers Organization
    • Jewelers of America
    • Jewelers Vigilance Committee
    • Retail Jewelers Organization

    © 2021 Godwin Jewelers, Inc.. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.