In the competitive jewelry industry, understanding materials is key for brands to offer market-ready products. Metals, gemstones, and other materials each offer unique benefits in design and consumer appeal.
This article provides an overview of common jewelry materials to help brands make strategic design and sourcing decisions. Read on!
Common Jewelry Metals
Metals form the backbone of most jewelry pieces. From luxury to fashion jewelry, the right metal choice impacts both perceived value and brand identity.
1. Gold
Gold is the most traditional and valued jewelry metal. Naturally yellow, it can be alloyed to create white or rose tones. Since pure gold is soft, jewelers commonly use 14K or 18K alloys for strength and durability. Its non-tarnishing nature and intrinsic value make it ideal for fine and bridal collections.
2. Silver
Silver offers brilliance and versatility at a more approachable price point. Sterling silver (92.5% pure silver) delivers a bright, mirror-like shine. Though it can tarnish over time, it’s easy to restore. This keeps silver popular across both classic and contemporary designs.
3. Copper
Copper provides a warm, reddish tone and forms the base for brass and bronze. Brass offers a gold-like hue ideal for fashion jewelry, while bronze brings vintage depth. These materials are suitable for heritage-inspired collections.
At Star Harvest, we use ROHS-certified C26800 copper alloy with 27% zinc for optimal strength. Our advanced manufacturing achieves 18% higher fracture resistance compared to that of stamped brass. Furthermore, our dual-phase PVD coating delivers over 8,000 hours of salt-spray resistance. It extends color stability six times longer than electroplating and exceeds EU REACH nickel safety standards by 300%.
4. Palladium
Palladium is a rare precious metal from the platinum family. It’s naturally white, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. This jewelry material offers platinum’s look at a lower cost. It is well-suited to minimalist or premium lines seeking subtle refinement.
5. Platinum
Platinum is the most precious jewelry metal. Naturally white and extremely durable, it is 30 times rarer than gold and completely hypoallergenic. Its permanence makes it a symbol of long-lasting value, perfect for heirloom and bridal collections.
6. Titanium
Renowned for its strength and light weight, titanium resonates with contemporary, performance-oriented, and men’s jewelry lines. Its resistance to scratches and corrosion allows for bold yet practical design options.
7. Stainless Steel
Modern, durable, and affordable, stainless steel offers clean aesthetics and long wearability. It resists tarnish and corrosion, making it ideal for everyday or urban-inspired collections.
With 20 years of experience, Star Harvest uses implant-grade 316L stainless steel with <0.02% nickel release to prevent skin allergies and meet REACH/RoHS standards. Our 7-layer PVD coating extends color retention over four times longer than standard electroplating through 12,000+ hours of salt-spray testing.
8. Other Alloys
Other metal alloys, such as pewter and nickel silver, balance beauty and affordability. They enable creative flexibility while maintaining appealing finishes. They are ideal for accessible luxury and fashion-forward collections.
Common Types of Jewels
Gemstones add color and brilliance to jewelry. They align collections with symbolic meaning, emotional appeal, and market tier.
1. Diamond
Diamonds are the hardest natural gem. They rank 10 on the Mohs scale and remain the benchmark of brilliance. Their enduring symbolism drives consistent demand in bridal and luxury categories.
2. Ruby
Rubies are red varieties of the mineral corundum. They’re extremely hard, scoring 9 on the Mohs scale. The best ones have a deep red “pigeon’s blood” color. They’re perfect for statement or high-end designs.
3. Sapphire
Sapphires are non-red varieties of corundum. Most often blue, they are also found in nearly every color. They generally symbolize wisdom and royalty.
4. Emeralds
Emeralds are green varieties of the mineral beryl. Known for vibrant color and natural inclusions, they align well with collections emphasizing craftsmanship and legacy.
5. Pearl
Formed by oysters, pearls represent purity and understated elegance. Cultured pearls dominate the market today, offering consistency in shape and luster for classic, romantic, or minimalist lines.
Read more about shell pearls.
6. Malachite
Known for its distinctive green banding, malachite offers natural patterning that ensures each piece is unique. It’s a popular choice for brands emphasizing artisanal design and individuality.
7. Moonstone
With its ethereal sheen and soft glow, moonstone connects strongly with feminine and bohemian aesthetics.
8. Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia provides diamond-like brilliance at a fraction of the cost. It allows brands to achieve high visual impact while maintaining accessible price points.
Other Jewelry Materials
These materials provide brands with opportunities to explore texture, sustainability, and differentiation.
1. Wood
Wood offers organic warmth and lightness. It’s often used for pendant bases, earring drops, bracelet structures, or ring outer layers.
2. Silk
Silk thread is traditionally used for stringing pearls and gemstones, valued for its flexibility and luxurious feel. It’s also common in bracelet knots and necklace threading.
3. String
These materials are widely used for bracelets, anklets, and adjustable necklaces. Their flexibility and tactile comfort make them ideal for youthful, casual, or personalized jewelry designs.
4. Glass
Glass is frequently applied in beads, pendants, or accent inlays. It is ideal for creative or art-inspired collections.
5. Leather
Leather is commonly used in bracelets, chokers, necklace bases, and men’s accessories. It brings character to contemporary, casual, or gender-neutral collections.
Star Harvest: Your Premier OEM Jewelry Manufacturing Partner
Star Harvest is a leading custom jewelry manufacturer serving jewelry brands worldwide. With 20+ years of experience, we have earned trust from 300+ brands offering tailored, professional jewelry solutions. Our advantages include:
- Advanced Manufacturing:Complete process from 3D design to quality control.
- Patented Technology:Color retention can reach 3+ years with 7 electroplating patents.
- Superior Quality:Quality German testing equipment guarantees 99%+ yield rates.
- Industry Leadership:700 new models monthly, triple industry average.
- Reliable Delivery:97% on-time delivery prevents stock-outs.
- Perfect Standards:100% inspection pass rate reduces after-sales costs.
- Certified Excellence:RJC, SGS, ISO certified with zero compliance risks.
Conclusion
Understanding the jewelry material helps brands make better decisions as material choice impacts quality, price, and customer appeal. At Star Harvest, we offer reliable OEM solutions for growing jewelry brands. Get in touch with us to discover how our expertise transforms your vision into reality.
