Jewellery Making Used In 13 Materials

Table of Contents

Introduction

Jewellery Making: Do you remember the first time you made a garland? We love creating and designing jewellery and have done so for thousands of years. The discovery of different materials by our ancestors and the methods of working with them was a breakthrough in the development of the art of jewellery making. We list the most common and less common materials used in jewellery making, with brief descriptions and the pros and cons of using them in your jewellery designs.

1.silver Jewellery Making

Silver is a precious metal. It is classified among the ancient metals: metals identified and used by man since prehistoric times. The main use of silver in the history of the world, apart from its use in minting coins, was in jewelry making and other general-purpose items, which is still the case today. Today. Today. Silver suits, necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks, belt buckles, and body jewellery.

Silver Hardness

The softness of pure silver (2.5 to 3 on the Mohs hardness scale) allows it to be alloyed with copper. In jewellery, sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

silver Jewellery Making Pros

Jewellers prefer silver because the material is soft, malleable (easy to crush), and ductile (easy to stretch).
Silver is highly reflective (previously used to attach mirrors from the rear, now aluminum)
Silver can be polished to a brilliant shine.
Cheaper than gold or platinum.
Silver has antibacterial properties, which make it suitable for things like cutlery.
Silver is durable and has a long life compared to other metals and fine jewellery.

silver Jewellery Making Cons

The softness of silver is also a disadvantage. Repeated daily use may cause scratches and creases.
Sterling silver jewellery making will tarnish. That is, it can come in black or green tones.
Silver needs regular cleaning to stay shiny.
Silver is generally sensitive to acids, corrosion, and chemicals.
Because silver contains copper, some people are allergic to it.
Learn more about silver by reading the article Silver: Precious Metals and Its Wonders.

2.Gold Jewellery Making

Pure gold is a lustrous reddish-yellow precious metal rated in carats (k). It’s an ancient metal, similar to silver, in that it was used to make coins and jewellery and minted as currency (think of the gold standard as monetary policy before 1971).

Hardness Of Gold

Pure gold (24 karats) is soft, scores between 2.5 and 3 on the Mohs hardness scale, and is rarely used in jewellery in its pure form. Jewel er. Typical gold gemstones are usually 14K, 16K, 18K, and 21K. Yellow, white, rose, and green gold can be produced using an alloying process.

Just like red lipstick, there is a shade that looks good on everyone. For example, rose gold is warmer and is preferred by fair-skinned people. Gold is popular for wedding bands, rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces in all its variations due to its stability and longevity.

Gold Jewellery Making Pros

Gold is one of the best metals used in jewellery making and is traditionally chosen for wedding rings.
Gold is one of the most malleable (easily crushed), ductile (easily stretched), and machinable metals.
Gold is resistant to most acids.
Pure gold does not tarnish, unlike 14K, 16K, and 18K, but much less than silver over a long period.
Gold is less allergenic than silver.

Gold Jewellery Making Cons

More valuable and, therefore, more expensive than silver.
Gold jewellery can scratch with daily wear.
The presence of nickel may not be suitable for people with metal allergies.

3.Platinum Jewellery Making

Platinum is a precious metal with a silver-white color, very dense and ductile. It is one of the rarest minerals worldwide, which may explain the recognition of musicians who receive a platinum record or credit card. It has become synonymous with luxury and longevity.

Platinum Hardness

Platinum has a hardness of 4 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale and is, therefore, less malleable than gold. Due to its hardness, pure platinum is frequently alloyed with other metals to make it more malleable. The most common metals associated with platinum are copper, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and titanium.

Pros

Platinum is about thirty times rarer than gold and four times stronger.
For example, the prongs holding the center stone of a platinum wedding band are less likely to break than those of a gold wedding band.
It is super durable and never fades.
Platinum is extremely resistant to corrosion and heat.
Platinum is naturally white and does not turn yellow.
It is perfect for delicate skin thanks to its hypoallergenic characteristics.

Cons

The scarcity of platinum and its density requires more of the rare metal to make a ring means that platinum jewellery is often more expensive than pure gold or white gold.
Platinum jewellery is usually heavier than gold.

What Can Platinum Be Used For?

Platinum’s durability makes it ideal for jewellery making, the automotive sector, and catalytic converters. Among the favorites: are solitaire and engagement rings, wedding rings and bracelets, watches, bracelets, and necklaces. Please read our article Platinum: A Precious Metal to learn more about platinum.

4.Titan Jewellery Making

Titanium is a shiny, very strong, silver-colored metal. The Titan was discovered in Cornwall in 1791 and was later named after Greek mythology titans.

Titanium Hardness

Titanium has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale and has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any naturally occurring metal.Also, titanium and gold produce an alloy that is sold as 24-karat gold. The resulting alloy has a hardness close to 14-karat gold and is more durable than pure 24-karat gold, making it suitable for the jewellery making trade.

Pros

Titanium is completely hypoallergenic.
Titanium is scratch resistant, lightweight, and gets dirty easily.
Titanium is highly resistant to chemicals and can be easily recycled.
It is corrosion-resistant.

Cons

Titanium is very difficult to weld unless mixed with other metals.
Titanium is not easy to crush.
Titanium is expensive and rare.

What can Titanium Be Used For?

Titanium is used to make watch parts and cases. Especially diving watches because they are resistant to corrosion. Titanium is excellent for use in harsh environments, which is why it is often used for submarine hulls, oil rig legs, airframes, and jet engine components.

Due to its lightness, titanium is widely used in the sports industry for tennis rackets, bicycles, and golf clubs. Due to its hypoallergenic properties, titanium is ideal for piercings, prosthetics, dental work, and surgical implants.

Read our Titan article for more information about titanium.

5.Common Metals

The term “base metal” is used in the jewellery industry for metals prone to oxidation, primarily in his jewellery making outfits. Significantly cheaper. In addition to copper and brass, zinc and bronze are also used in jewellery.

Buyer

A reddish-orange metal is most commonly used in copper parts for alloys, electrical equipment, and jewellery manufacturing. Copper is soft, malleable, and easily stretched.

Brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The color of brass is yellow gold, so it is used in jewellery making to resemble gold. Often used in steampunk jewellery.

The Hardness Of Common Metals.

Base metals are alloys manufactured to produce varying degrees of durability and malleability. Depending on the alloy mixture, base metals range from 2 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Pros

An affordable and economical option.
Fully stocked and in stock.
It can be used in 3D printing.
Its reactivity allows a wide range of staining techniques to be used.

Cons

Its surface tends to oxidize and discolor rapidly in the air.
More people are allergic to base metals than to precious metals.
Base metals may not have been tested or used in tested parts.
Older base metals may contain trace amounts of lead.

5.a. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, also called stainless steel, is an alloy of iron. It is durable, rust-proof, does not corrode, and does not fade or oxidize. Therefore, it is ideal for use in the jewellery industry, such as bead caps, earring parts, and watches. Many jewellery making tools are made of steel, including files, drills, saw blades, spikes, and hammers.

It is also commonly used in surgical instruments and industrial applications.

6.Pearl Jewellery Making

Pearls are formed in the soft tissue of mollusks, oysters, mussels, etc. This is extremely rare in nature and is the reason why 99% of all pearls today are cultured pearls. Pearls are usually the same color as the inside of the oyster shell, white and cream, but shades of yellow, black, and gray are very common. A pearl’s value in jewellery making is determined by its luster, color, size, and surface, Varies by the defect. Based on a combination of deficiencies and symmetry. Pearls are identified by their type: Natural or Modern Cultured Pearls: Saltwater or Freshwater Cultured. Concentric layers of deposited calcium carbonate form pearls like onions. Pearls are mainly used for necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, usually processed into pearl necklaces.

pearl Hardness

It scores between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale and is relatively soft so that it can be scratched and worn.

Pros

Pearls are organic and have a timeless and unique quality.
Pearls are soft enough to be worked with a steel bead drill or diamond ball cutter and glued into a setting with jewellery glue.
Pearls can be dyed, bleached, or lacquered.
Pearl jewellery is easy to care for, can be polished with beeswax, and with proper care, will retain its value for a lifetime.
Cultured pearls are affordable.
Organic, naturally shaped pearls are beautiful and do not need to be cut, polished, or treated before they can be made into jewellery.

Cons

Mother-of-pearl oysters wear and can lose their luster over time.
Natural pearls are very expensive.
They are soft and easily damaged.
Constant contact with the mildest acids and chlorine will erode the nacre of the pearl and cause it to lose its luster.

7.Sheath Jewellery Making

Shell beads are one of the oldest forms of jewellery, and over the years, their popularity has come and gone along with fashion trends such as cameo rings, earrings, and brooches in the 19th century. -Pearl, Kauri, Oyster, Abalone, and Puka, just to name a few. Found on the beach can be trimmed, smoothed, and filed to your specifications.

Shell Hardness

Shells vary in shape and form and can therefore vary in hardness and brittleness, as well as the degree of roughness or smoothnes

Sheath Jewellery Making Pros

Shell jewellery has been in fashion since the summer of 2018, so if you’re in the jewellery store, now is the time to get your hair done on the beach.
The shells can be easily drilled, cut, and carved with readily available craft and jewellery tools.
The sinks are easy to clean, thread and polish.
If you go to the beach, it’s free! (it is illegal to take certain shells from certain beaches, so always check first)

Cons

The shell can be fragile and, therefore, brittle, so be careful.
Some sinks are very difficult to drill and require a small diamond core bit and patience.
If you cut, drill or handle the housing, be careful not to inhale the dust as it is extremely toxic.
The shell industry harms our marine life (use only the shells you find on the beach and check with local authorities first if this is allowed)

What Can Shells Be Used For?

From cameos to mosaics, earrings, rings, and pendants, shell inlays on dinnerware, antiques, artifacts, and furniture, artisans love to work with shells.

7.a. Animal Remains (Bones And Hair)

In Victorian times, mourning decorations were the order of the day. While this may sound a little weird or creepy to some, what could be more sustainable than reusing the bones and hair of dead animals, perhaps your favorite pets, as in the case of Irish jewellery artist Daniela Cardillo?

8.Seeds And Nuts

For thousands of years, seeds, nuts, and plant roots have been used to adorn the body in various cultures around the world. Popular seeds and nuts for beading or jewellery are tagua (ivory palm), betel, bodhi, rudraksha, acai, and buri.

Pros

Widely disposable.
Very cheap – try growing your own plants and drying the seeds.
Easy to cut, drill and polish.
Extremely lightweight, making it ideal for use in beading.
Many seeds grow quickly, making them a durable material.

Cons

Fragile Can break when bumped or knocked.
It’s not waterproof. Seeds and nuts can swell when they come into contact with water.

9. Tree Jewellery Making

Wooden jewellery, such as beads, bracelets, and pendants, has been popular for thousands of years…

Pros

Inexpensive, especially if you use reclaimed, driftwood, or recycled wood for jewellery making.
Wood can be easily manipulate: cut, shaped, carved, and polished.
The wood is light, making it the perfect choice for eye-catching necklaces or earrings, large pendants, chunky bracelets, or large beads.

Cons

Wood absorbs water, so don’t remove it.
It can bump, knock and fall, so be especially careful with wooden bells and rings.
The natural colors of wooden jewellery may fade over time or become darker due to natural elements.

10.Stone Jewellery Making

Semi-precious, not precious, precious. Stone, slate, pebble, brick, concrete. The number of stones, rocks, and gems used in jewellery are endless. Some of the most coveted gemstones used in jewellery are diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. The type of stone or gemstone you choose depends on what it means to you (for example, birthstone, family heirloom), what it looks like (grain, color, shape), and how it feels (the texture or energy it gives you). ). Gives). To the. Where did you get it from (found on the beach, recycled, rocks in your area) or the special memory it gives you?

Pros

Various textures, colors, and finishes are fix.
It can be carved, cut, drilled, sanded, engraved, and manipulated in many ways.
Possible investment – if the stone is precious.

Stone Jewellery Making Cons

Some stones can be affect by chemicals, lubricants, and contaminants.
Possible chips and breaks.
Special diamond tools are require to cut the stone, so it can be expensive to process.

11.Glass Jewellery Making

Glass beads, especially Venetian beads, were one of the first glass ornaments to gain historical popularity. Many forms of glass can be found in jewellery designs today, including fuse glass (dichroic and art glass), Murano glass, Murano glass (Venetian and Millefiori), and sea glass. Glass rods can be made into beads by heating them with something like lampwork. Glass can be heated and melted. Cold glass can be carved, cut, shaped, drilled, sanded, and polished. Or you can use the glass in its natural form, such as sea glass (beach glass).

Glass Jewellery Making Pros

Glass can be heat to create different shapes and forms.
available in many colors
Glass beads are easy and cheap to make and are less expensive than a crystal (leaded glass).

Glass Jewellery Making Cons

Glass is very fragile. It is very hard, but it can easily crack or break.
Glass jewellery can be heavy, so fine beads, earrings, necklaces, and pendants are best.
Cold work tools must be made with synthetic diamond grit due to the hardness of glass, which makes the tools more expensive.

11.a.Enamel Jewellery Making

Enamel is a very hard, scratch-resistant vitreous layer. It is made by fuse glass powder and metal at a high temperature. Common enamel techniques, sometimes referred to as vitreous enamel or porcelain enamel, are cloisonne, champleve, bestially, and plique à jour.

12.Acrylics, Resins, And Plastics

Acrylic beads are so affordable that they’re a great starting point for novice jewelers who want to try beads. Pour resin into a mold to make a mold. Because you need to add something to the resin as it cures, it’s extremely versatile and fun to explore.

Pros

light
It’s a great deal, especially if you buy in bulk or in bulk.
Acrylic is a great alternative to glass, lightweight yet strong and cool in hot weather.
It is durable and flexible in the sense that it can be molde into all sorts of shapes and colors.
It’s interesting and exploratory because you can add elements while the resin is being cast.

Cons

It scratches and marks easily. (but you can also easily polish it)
It melts on contact with fire.
Be careful when cutting or polishing acrylic with rotary tools, as it produces toxic fumes at high temperatures.
There is no shine like glass.

13.Clay: Ceramic, Porcelain, Porcelain.

Ceramic beads can be molde to repeat the same shape over and over again, or they can be made by hand to create a more organic look. It is very fashionable to make jewellery making with fragments of porcelain. This can be done using the organic forms found, such as carving figures and circles in pottery or ceramic plates or using earthenware found on the beach that has been wash and polish by the sea.