Metal compositions are an essential part of jewelry making, determining the properties and characteristics of various materials. Brass, bronze, copper, silver, and gold are some of the most commonly used materials in the industry, each with unique combinations of elements that contribute to their overall properties.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the metal compositions of these materials, giving you a better understanding of the materials used in jewelry making. We’ll dive into the percentages of each element in these alloys and what each element brings to the table in terms of properties and appearance. Whether you’re a jewelry maker or simply someone interested in the properties of metals, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into the world of metal compositions.
Material | Platinum | Gold | Silver | Copper | Zinc | Nickel | Other | Remarks |
Platinum | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
24K Gold | 0% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
22K Gold | 0% | 91.67% | 0% | 8.33% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
21K Gold | 0% | 87.50% | 0% | 12.50% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
18K Gold | 0% | 75% | 0% | 25% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
14K Gold | 0% | 58.33% | 0% | 41.67% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
12K Gold | 0% | 50% | 0% | 50% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
10K Gold | 0% | 41.67% | 0% | 58.33% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
9K Gold | 0% | 37.50% | 0% | 62.50% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
8K Gold | 0% | 33.33% | 0% | 66.67% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
6K Gold | 0% | 25% | 0% | 75% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
4K Gold | 0% | 16.67% | 0% | 83.33% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
Yellow Gold (18K) | 0% | 75% | 0% | 25% | 0% | 0% | 0% | Typical composition for 18K Yellow Gold |
White Gold (18K) | 0% | 75% | 0% | 10-15% | 0% | 0% | 10-15% | Typical composition for 18K White Gold |
Rose Gold (18K) | 0% | 75% | 0% | 20-25% | 0% | 0% | 5-10% | Typical composition for 18K Rose Gold |
Yellow Gold (14K) | 0% | 58.33% | 0% | 41.67% | 0% | 0% | 0% | Typical composition for 14K Yellow Gold |
White Gold (14K) | 0% | 58.33% | 0% | 12-17% | 0% | 0% | 25-30% | Typical composition for 14K White Gold |
Rose Gold (14K) | 0% | 58.33% | 0% | 20-25% | 0% | 0% | 12-17% | Typical composition for 14K Rose Gold |
Silver | 0% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
Sterling Silver | 0% | 0% | 92.50% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 7.50% | |
Copper | 0% | 0% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | |
Bronze | 0% | 0% | 0% | 60-80% | 20-40% | 0% | 10% | small amounts of other metals such as lead, iron, manganese, or aluminum |
Brass | 0% | 0% | 0% | 88-95% | 5-12% | 0% | 40% | small amounts of other metals such as tin, aluminum, nickel, or zinc |
Titanium | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 100% | |
Stainless Steel | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 60% | 20% | 20% |