Any allow that can be formed and/or bent into a specific shape and that can be molded without any problems can be used for manufacturing jewelry. When you think about it, all metals are, in fact, alloys, however, different ones are often added to the base metal in order to improve its color, thickness, flexibility, as well as making it rust-resistant.
The best thing about manufacturing jewelry is the number of substances that you can operate with. Whether you love silver, gold, or using base metals, you should be aware of the options you have. And, if this is something you are interested in learning, this article might help you. Let’s take a look at some of the best alloy steel jewelry types that you could opt for:
Table of Contents
1. ‘Silver’
img source: amazon.com
Besides gold, silver is the next best metal used for manufacturing jewelry, more specifically, sterling silver. Basically, it means that it’ll have 92.5% of genuine silver, and 7.5% copper. If you desire to create bracelets, pendants, necklaces, bands, or any other form of ornaments, you might want to consider using silver.
But, there is one thing that you should definitely remember about this material – it is usually softer than other metals such as titanium, gold, and platinum. This means that the piece might tarnish if the person wearing it does not take proper care of the piece and if they do not maintain it regularly.
2. ‘Silver Coating’
img source: shopify.com
Yet another alternative that a wide range of craftsmen loves is silver coating. Now, what does this mean? Well, it means that a silver-filler wire is manufactured by utilizing warmth and force in order to implement a coat of silver to the base compound or to a material that is cheaper.
The coating is extremely thick, which means that you’ll be capable of operating deeper, polishing more, as well as engrave whatever you need without actually revealing the base material that is under it. In most cases, this mixture is used for chains and earrings. It is a more affordable option and they are more durable than some of the other options on this list.
3. ‘Gold’
img source: jewelryshoppingguide.com
Gold is most commonly a mixture of the base substance and other materials including zinc, nickel, copper, and silver. You probably know that the amount of gold is estimated in carats (ct or K) that are utilized for telling how much pure gold there is in a specific piece. The more carats it has, the more expensive it will be.
The highest content that can be in one piece is 24 carats, however, it is not suitable for creating jewelry with it since it is extremely soft. Instead, you could opt for 14 carats since it is durable, strong, and easy to transform. There are several alloys that you can choose from including:
Yellow – a mix of gold, copper, zinc, or silver,
White – a mix of gold and other white materials such as silver, nickel, and palladium,
Rose – a mix of gold and copper,
Green – a mix of yellow gold and copper.
4. ‘Base Materials’
img source: shopify.com
According to dawangcasting.com that offer alloy steel casting, the base alloys that you can choose to utilize are copper, brass, titanium, and so on. These elements could be found almost everywhere and they could oxidize easily, which means that they can rust easily if left without a coat.
This is why a wide range of jewelers choose to use a cheaper base metal and than coat it with, for instance, silver or gold. This will not only help protect the base but, it will also lower the cost of the piece since it won’t entirely be made from a precious metal that is usually quite expensive.
5. ‘Platinum’
img source: squarespace-cdn.com
If you are searching for something truly unique, you should know that platinum is one of the most valuable and unique metals around the globe. However, the price is kind of warranted since the mixture is extremely tough and long-lasting, which means that it won’t get damaged easily.
It takes a lot of heat to actually melt platinum, which means that it is perfect for wedding rings, pendants, bracelets, and in some cases, it has been used for manufacturing cuffs. Since appearance is important for jewelry, it is most commonly alloyed with other materials to give it a distinct design – which will only make it more strong.
6. ‘ Titanium’
img source: wp.com
There isn’t a metal that is stronger than titanium, in fact, it is the toughest metal known to humans, which means that it is more durable and strong than any other alloys mentioned on this list. Additionally, it is easy to change its color by adding other alloys, it is light, and it is completely resistant to dents and scratches.
What to Consider When Choosing an Alloy?
There are some things that you’ll want to consider when choosing an alloy. Firstly, the type of jewelry you want to produce. Depending on the number of details that you want to add, you should opt for an appropriate alloy that will allow you to do just that. Additionally, consider how durable you want the jewelry to be, as well as whether you should mix it with other materials in order to change the color or make it stronger.
All of these things are relevant aspects to consider, especially since choosing the wrong alloy might mean that you cannot manufacture a specific piece that you envisioned. Hence, ensure that you know what your options are and then choose a proper material for your craft.
Conclusion
img source: dhresource.com
As you can see, there is actually a wide range of steel alloys that you could choose for your jewelry. Of course, they all have their own benefits, drawbacks, and characteristics, which is one of the reasons why you should think carefully about which alloy you’ll choose.
So, now that you are aware of the things you can and most likely should choose to use, you might not waste any more of your time. Instead, choose an alloy or two, and then start browsing stores in order to find a supplier that will fit your requirements, needs, and more importantly, your budget.
