Guide to Fashion Jewelry Metal Types

Guide To Fashion Jewelry Metal Types

Along with exquisite designs and dazzling gemstones, the metal used in luxury fashion jewelry is what makes these pieces truly extraordinary. When shopping for a piece to add to your or a loved one’s jewelry collection, it’s important to consider the type of metal used, both for fashion and function purposes. 

Sterling Silver

This versatile and incredibly popular metal is made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% metal alloy, often copper or nickel. The alloy makes the silver — which is naturally soft, delicate, and difficult to work with — stronger and more durable. Sterling silver is quite affordable as well as stunningly beautiful. It has an elegant, sophisticated sheen that goes well with everyday fashion. With proper care and cleaning, sterling silver will last decades. 

White Gold

White gold is similar in appearance to sterling silver, though slightly less bright in color. It is great for achieving a classic, radiant look. Yellow gold is mixed with other alloys to create the silver color in white gold, making white gold jewelry notably more valuable and thus, more expensive. Though it is incredibly resistant to scuffs and scratches, it is more susceptible to discoloration and yellowing over time. With consistent care and additional rhodium coatings, white gold pieces will last a very long time. 

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is a metal that has been one of the most valuable metals for millennia. Its warm tone is inviting and eye-catching, perfect for accenting colorful gemstones and glittering diamonds. For many countries, gold symbolizes prosperity and style. Fashion jewelry forged in this metal possesses an air of luxury, regality, and lavishness. The higher the karat, the more expensive the piece. However, the higher karat, which means a higher concentration of pure gold, also makes the piece more susceptible to scuffs and scratches that a trusted jeweler can assist you with over the years. 

Rose Gold

Rose gold is the result of a combination of pure gold and copper, creating the warm, pinkish hue it is known for. This romantic metal has seen extreme popularity in recent years and is beloved for its unique sheen. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings wrought in rose gold exude femininity and whimsy in truly show-stopping pieces. Warm-toned gemstones like rubies, citrine, and garnet are emphasized beautifully by this choice of metal while cool-toned gemstones create a contrasting beauty. 

Shop Fashion Jewelry at Saint Cross

At Saint Cross, it is our honor to serve our community with quality fashion jewelry and unsurpassed customer service from our stunning Los Angeles jewelry store. Our highly trained staff is incredibly knowledgeable and will be happy to guide you through our fashion jewelry selection, and consult with you on which metal type is the best fit for your next piece. Book an appointment to meet with us in our showroom or browse our inventory online.