🔱 Jewellery Materials Glossary: What You’re Really Wearing
, by Jewel Hub, 7 min reading time
Tradition Reimagined · Craft Rooted in Culture · Beauty Made Personal
From Precious Metals to Creative Alternatives · A Guide to Jewellery’s Building Blocks
At JewelHub, we believe that beauty begins with clarity. Every ring, every finish, every shimmer starts with a material—and understanding those materials is key to choosing jewellery that aligns with your values, your skin, and your story.
This glossary is your guide to the metals, textures, and innovations that shape modern jewellery. Whether you’re browsing for a gift or curating your personal collection, here’s what you need to know
🧿 Jewellery Materials Glossary
| Material | Type | Key Traits | Common Uses | Notes / Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏵️ Gold | Precious Metal | Durable, symbolic, available in various karats | Fine jewellery, heirlooms | Higher karats are softer; often alloyed |
| ⚪ White Gold/ Rose Gold | Precious Alloy | Colour variation via alloying; often rhodium-plated | Modern fine jewellery | May require re-plating over time |
| Platinum | Precious Metal | Naturally white, hypoallergenic, extremely durable | Luxury and bridal jewellery | Dense and heavy |
| Palladium | Precious Metal | Lightweight, tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic | Fine jewellery | Similar look to platinum |
| 🪙 S925 Sterling Silver | Precious Alloy | 92.5% pure silver; tarnish-prone but polishable | Rings, earrings, pendants | May oxidize; polish restores shine |
| 🤎 Copper | Base Metal | Warm-toned, affordable, antimicrobial; patinas over time | Sculptural and plated jewellery | May oxidize; plating helps preserve finish |
| Brass | Base Alloy (Copper-Zinc) | Bold golden tone; budget-friendly | Statement and costume jewellery | May cause skin reactions in sensitive wearers |
| Bronze | Base Alloy (Copper-Tin) | Antique look; rich tone; tarnishes naturally | Vintage-inspired designs | Often sealed to prevent oxidation |
| ⚙️ Zinc Alloy | Base Alloy | Lightweight, moldable, often plated | Costume jewellery | Less durable; plating may wear over time |
| 🔗 Stainless Steel | Alternative Metal | Strong, corrosion-resistant, hypoallergenic | Minimalist, wellness, aromatherapy jewellery | Low maintenance; good for sensitive skin |
| Titanium | Alternative Metal | Ultra-light, strong, hypoallergenic | Body jewellery, activewear styles | Matte finish; often anodized for colour |
| Aluminium | Alternative Metal | Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, easily coloured | Artisan and fashion jewellery | Not hypoallergenic for all; soft but versatile |
| Niobium | Alternative Metal | Hypoallergenic, anodizable for vibrant colours | Body jewellery, artisan earrings | Excellent for sensitive skin |
| 🌈 Resin | Creative Material | Durable, encapsulates botanicals/pigments | Artisan, nature-inspired jewellery | Can yellow over time if exposed to sunlight |
| Polymer Clay | Creative Material | Lightweight, colourful, hand-moldable | Trend-driven earrings, charms | Fragile if not cured properly |
| Wood | Organic Material | Warm, earthy texture; sustainable | Boho, natural designs | May absorb moisture; often sealed |
| Acrylic / Lucite | Creative Material | Bright, bold, retro aesthetic | Statement jewellery | Lightweight; prone to scratches |
| Ceramic | Wellness Material | Polished or porous; tactile and modern | Minimalist and wellness jewellery | Can chip if dropped; varies by glaze |
| Lava Stone | Wellness Material | Porous, absorbent; ideal for essential oils | Aromatherapy bracelets, grounding designs | Often paired with elastic or metal spacers |
| Glass | Creative Material | Smooth, colourful, reflective | Beads, pendants, artisan jewellery | Can be fragile; adds elegance and translucence |
🪙 Precious Metals
|
🏵️ Gold |
Available in various karats (e.g. 9K, 14K, 18K, 22K); highly valued for permanence and symbolism. |
|
🪙 Platinum |
Durable, hypoallergenic, and naturally white; excellent for luxury pieces. |
|
🪙 S925 Sterling Silver |
92.5% pure silver mixed with other metals; tarnish-prone but easily polished. |
|
⚪ White Gold/Rose Gold |
Gold alloyed with other metals like palladium or copper for colour variation. |
| 🪙 Palladium | Lightweight, tarnish-resistant, and hypoallergenic alternative to Platinum. |
🔧 Base & Alternative Metals
| 🤎 Copper | Warm-toned, affordable, antimicrobial; patinas over time, adding vintage appeal. |
| 🟡 Brass | Copper-zinc alloy; budget-friendly and bold, though may oxidize or cause reactions in sensitive skin. |
| Bronze | Copper-tin alloy; has a rich, antique look but may tarnish and require sealing. |
| ⚙️ Zinc Alloy | Common in costume jewellery; lightweight and moldable, though often plated and less durable. |
| 🔗 Stainless Steel | Strong, corrosion-resistant, and often used for modern, minimalist or wellness jewellery. |
| Titanium | Ultra-light, strong, and hypoallergenic; popular in body jewellery. |
🎨 Creative Materials
| 🌈 Resin | Versatile, durable, and ideal for encapsulating botanicals or pigments in artisan jewellery. |
| 🧱 Polymer Clay | Lightweight and colourful; perfect for playful, trend-driven earrings and charms. |
| 🌳 Wood | Offers warmth and organic texture; often used in boho or earthy designs. |
| 🔮 Acrylic/Lucite | Bright and bold; used for statement pieces and retro styles. |
| 🧊 Glass | Smooth · Reflective · Elegant Used in beads, pendants, and artisan designs Finish: Transparent, frosted, or coloured Care Tip: Fragile—handle with care Best For: Delicate accents · Light-catching pieces |
🧘♀️ Wellness-Linked Materials
| 🌋 Lava Stone | Porous and absorbent; ideal for essential oil diffusion. |
| 🏺 Ceramic | Can be polished or porous depending on finish; increasingly used in modern minimalist pieces. |
| 🔗 Stainless Steel Aromatherapy Pendants | Durable and secure vessel for wellness oils. |
