Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
FREE SHIPPING IN THE U.S. | LEARN ABOUT OUR SPECIAL FINANCING
  • Toggle Search Menu
  • Call Us (412) 367-7131
Trinity Jewelers logo
  • Custom Jewelry
  • Bridal
    Engagement Rings
    Semi-Mount Engagement RingsLab Diamond Engagement RingsBridal Sets
    Wedding Bands
    Men's Wedding BandsWomen's Wedding BandsNatural Diamond Anniversary RingsLab-Grown Diamond Anniversary Rings

    Explore All Bridal
  • Diamond Jewelry
    Diamond Fashion Rings
    Diamond Earrings
    Diamond Studs
    Diamond Necklaces & Pendants
    Diamond Bracelets
    Lab Diamond Anniversary Rings
    Lab Diamond Fashion Rings
    Lab Diamond Earrings
    Lab Diamond Studs
    Lab Diamond Necklaces & Pendants
    Lab Diamond Bracelets

    Explore All Diamond Jewelry
  • Gemstone Jewelry
    Gemstone Rings
    Gemstone Earrings
    Gemstone Necklaces & Pendants
    Gemstone Bracelets
    Pearl Rings
    Pearl Earrings
    Pearl Necklaces & Pendants
    Pearl Bracelets

    Explore All Gemstone Jewelry
  • Gold Jewelry
    Women's Gold Fashion Rings
    Men's Gold Fashion Rings
    Gold Earrings
    Gold Pendants & Charms
    Gold Chains
    Gold Bracelets

    Explore All Gold Jewelry
  • Sterling Silver Jewelry
    Sterling Silver Rings
    Sterling Silver Earrings
    Sterling Silver Necklaces & Pendants
    Sterling Silver Bracelets
    Sterling Silver Charms

    Explore All Sterling Silver Jewelry
  • Estate Jewelry
    Estate Rings
    Estate Earrings
    Estate Necklaces & Pendants
    Estate Bracelets

    Explore All Estate Jewelry
  • Our Services
    • Jewelry Repair
    • Appraisals
    • Watch Batteries & Bands
  • About Us
    About Us
    Special Financing
    Latest News
    Customer Stories

    Explore All About Us
  • My AccountToggle My Account Menu
  • Toggle Search Menu
  • Toggle My Account Menu
  • Toggle My Wishlist
  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 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
Trinity Jewelers
647 Mount Nebo Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 367-7131
Store Information
Email

info@trinityjewelers.com

    Hours
    Monday:Closed
    Tues - Wed:10:00am - 5:00pm
    Thursday:10:00am - 7:00pm
    Friday:10:00am - 5:00pm
    Saturday:10:00am - 3:00pm
    Sunday:Closed
    Follow Us
    Curated Collections
    • Engagement Rings
    • Wedding Bands
    • Diamond Jewelry
    • Lab Diamond Jewelry
    • Gemstone Jewelry
    • Gold Jewelry
    • Sterling Silver Jewelry
    • Fashion Jewelry
    • Watches
    • Men's Jewelry
    • Estate Jewelry
    • Brooches
    Designers
    • Ania Haie
    • Benchmark
    • Ever & Ever
    • Gabriel Fashion & Bridal
    • Imperial Pearls
    • Lashbrook Designs
    • Poppy and Jewel
    • Trinity Jewelers
    Our Store
    • About Us
    • Custom Jewelry
    • Repair and Appraisals
    Newsletter

    Enter your email below to sign-up for our newsletter.

    © 2025 Trinity Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

    Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.