Metals

Looking for something different that won’t break the bank? Vermeil jewelry is the perfect choice. Made of sterling silver with a layer of 14k or 18k gold bonded to the silver, vermeil looks and feels like solid 14k or 18k gold jewelry, but with a lower price point. Vermeil shouldn’t be confused with gold-plated jewelry, as it’s significantly more durable than gold plate. Vermeil pieces don’t carry a gold karat stamp; instead they carry a silver stamp of 925.

Durable, desirable, and hard to beat, platinum is the rarest of the three precious metals used to create fine jewelry. It’s harder & more durable than gold & silver, making it great for jewelry that is worn every day. It doesn’t rust, corrode, or tarnish. It almost never causes allergic reactions, so is a great alternative for those who are allergic to the nickel found in white gold.

Durable and anticorrosive, stainless steel jewelry is often combined with other materials (such as rubber or gold) to give it a distinctive look. Its clean-line styling makes it ideal for both sporty and dressy looks, and it can be worn during water activities.

Titanium’s unusual strength and unique characteristics have made it one of the most popular metals used in contemporary men’s jewelry, like rings and bracelets. An excellent metal for an active lifestyle, it’s 40% stronger and 30% lighter than stainless steel. It’s anticorrosive, hypoallergenic, and highly resistant to salt, perspiration, and high temperatures. Titanium is not scratchproof, but it can resist deeper scratches and dents better than other metals.

Pure silver is a soft metal with a lustrous white hue. Due to its high level of softness, pure silver is too malleable to be used alone in jewelry making. Silver is typically mixed with copper to give it strength. Sterling silver jewelry does not require a lot of care.

Rhodium is part of the platinum family and known as the most expensive of all precious metals. While rhodium is both too expensive and too brittle to make jewelry out of, it makes an excellent plating material. It is often used to hide imperfections and lend a higher sheen to silver or white gold pieces. Being harder than both silver and gold, it also makes an excellent protective coat that shields jewelry from scratches. It doesn’t tarnish and requires no particular cleaning procedures.

Tungsten jewelry is known for its strength, durability, and scratch-resistance. It’s a popular choice for wedding bands and everyday jewelry. Tungsten is one of the hardest metals on Earth, second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale of hardness. This makes it very scratch-resistant and able to retain its shape over time. While tungsten is very hard, it’s also brittle and can shatter if hit against a very hard surface. Tungsten is usually hypoallergenic, so it’s a good choice for people with sensitive skin. It’s resistant to most acids and doesn’t react with many other substances. It’s also low-maintenance and can be cleaned with mild soap and water.

Tantalum is combined with a proprietary mix of other metals to form an alloy. It’s tarnish-, scratch-, and shatter-resistant with a heavy weight. But be aware it can’t be sized.