While there are many metals to choose from, jewelry is typically made with precious, high lustre metals such as platinum, gold and silver. Several non-precious metals are gaining popularity in contemporary jewelry to provide everything from durability to originality. We’re happy to help you find the perfect fit.
Gold is a dense, malleable precious metal that is bright yellow in color and can be polished to a high luster. In its pure form, 24 karat, it is extremely soft. While most gold jewelry is 14 or 18 karat, the designers featured at Fox’s typically use 18, 22, or 24 karat. Gold is commonly mixed with other metals or alloys to create a wide range of color variations and working properties.
Weight:Medium
Scratch Resistance: Shows scratches. Can be polished. Over time, polishing removes a thin layer of gold and reduces the weight of the gold.
Color Variety: Yellow, White, Rose.
Re-sizable: Yes
Hypoallergenic: No. Most white gold is alloyed with nickel. For custom pieces from Fox’s, we use palladium almost exclusively.
Platinum is a dense, malleable metal that is white in color with cool undertones. It’s almost always used in its purest form in 95 percent of jewelry. Platinum is substantial in weight. Comparatively, a ring in platinum will weight almost 60 percent more than the same ring in 14 karat gold.
Weight:Heavy
Scratch Resistance: Resistant to wear, shows scratches, dulls to satin finish over time. Polishing rearranges the molecules but does not reduce the weight or remove a layer. Can polish as much as wanted.
Color Variety: White with a cool undertone.
Re-sizable: Yes
Hypoallergenic:Yes
Palladium is a member of the platinum metal group and is a soft, silvery-white color with slightly grey undertones. It is also used in an almost pure form in 95 percent of jewelry. It is more difficult to work with than platinum or gold, and weighs much less.
Weight:Light/Medium
Scratch Resistance: Resistant to wear, shows scratches, dulls to satin finish over time.
Color Variety:Silvery-white with grey undertone.
Re-sizable: Yes
Hypoallergenic:Yes
Silver is a soft, lustrous metal that is very malleable and is silvery-white in color. Sterling silver is a common alloy comprised of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper.
Weight:Medium
Scratch Resistance: Shows scratches, polishes as worn, tarnishes. Much of the silver jewelry at Fox’s is oxidized or plated with rhodium so it does not tarnish.
Color Variety:Silvery-white with a slight pink undertone.
Re-sizable: Yes
Hypoallergenic:No
Titanium is a strong, low-density, highly corrosion-resistant and lustrous white natural element. It’s the hardest natural metal in the world. It’s highly durable and is mainly used to alloy aircraft metals. It is also a popular choice for piercing jewelry because of its hypoallergenic properties. It’s lightweight and shatterproof.
Weight:Light
Scratch Resistance:Will show signs of wear, but can be polished.
Color Variety:Grey
Re-sizable:No
Hypoallergenic:Yes
Tungsten is a steel-gray metal with strength and a high melting point that makes it a favorite of the metal fabrication industry. Metallic tungsten is harder than gold alloys and is hypoallergenic, making it useful for rings that will resist scratching, especially in designs with a brushed finish.
Weight:Heavy
Scratch Resistance:Will remain polished with no maintenance.
Color Variety:Grey
Re-sizable:No
Hypoallergenic:Yes
Stainless Steel is a contemporary metal containing chromium and/or nickel – that is resistant to tarnish and rust. Because most stainless steel jewelry is not plated, it is an excellent alternative for wearers with allergies and sensitivity to base metals such as copper or brass.
Weight:Medium
Scratch Resistance:Will show signs of wear but can be polished.
Color Variety:Grey
Re-sizable:No
Hypoallergenic:Yes
