Metal shears and jeweller’s saws are essential tools for cutting metal jewelry. Metal shears work best for straight cuts, while jeweller’s saws help create intricate shapes. Beginners should be careful, as saw blades can break. Learning to use these tools effectively improves your accuracy in jewelry making. Choosing the right cutter or shear depends on … Read more
White metal in jewelry is a term for alloys made from non-precious metals like tin, lead, and zinc. Often called pot metal, it is popular in costume jewelry due to its shiny look. White metal offers affordability and design flexibility, making it a common choice for fashion accessories. One unique quality of white metal is … Read more
Tungsten is the strongest metal for jewelry. It is four times harder than titanium and provides excellent scratch resistance. Ideal for wedding bands, tungsten balances durability and price. If you want a long-lasting, low-maintenance option, tungsten is your best choice for jewelry. When comparing metals, consider factors such as tensile strength, which measures the metal’s … Read more
Colored metallic glass jewelry includes terms like “givre stone” and “chicklet.” Givre stones are colored, semi-transparent rhinestones with swirling colors. Chicklet refers to glass stones set in metal, popular in modern jewelry. Additionally, “saphiret” has historical significance in this type of jewelry. This jewelry is highly prized for its lightweight nature, durability, and resistance to … Read more
Rainbow-colored metal jewelry mainly uses titanium and niobium. Anodizing these metals produces vibrant colors, which enhance their look. This jewelry is lightweight and durable, making it hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. It is favored for unique designs and striking visual appeal. The anodizing process plays a crucial role in achieving these vivid colors. Anodizing … Read more
Dichroic glass jewelry uses layered iridescent foil to create beautiful color shifts in different lighting. Artists, like Merrilee Harrigan, often include materials such as quartz crystal and metal oxides. Terms like “Chicklet” refer to jewelry featuring colored stones. Dragon’s Breath glass offers a vibrant metallic look, reminiscent of opaline glass. Jewelry made from dichroic glass … Read more
Rhodium is the most expensive metal for jewelry today. It is part of the platinum group and has a shiny, silver-white look. This precious metal is widely used in luxury jewelry due to its high value and excellent resistance to corrosion, making it a popular choice among jewelers. Other precious metals also hold significant value … Read more
Tungsten is the most durable metal for jewelry. It is exceptionally hard and four times harder than titanium. This metal is highly scratch-resistant, making it perfect for wedding bands. Tungsten provides durability and comfort at a reasonable price, ensuring long-lasting wear in jewelry. Next, titanium also shines as a top contender. This lightweight metal is … Read more
Rhodium is the most expensive jewelry metal. It is part of the platinum group metals and is valued for its rarity and strength. Rhodium is often used as a finish on white gold jewelry. It enhances shine and prevents tarnishing. Rhodium is found in smaller amounts with gold and silver in ore. Palladium has gained … Read more
Tampering with jewelry metals includes techniques such as “depletion gilding” and “hammering.” Depletion gilding creates a gold-like finish by removing the metal’s surface layer. Hammering adds texture to the piece. These methods improve the jewelry’s appearance while changing the properties of the underlying metals. Plating adds a thin layer of precious metal over a base … Read more