Silver is a very valuable grey metal that is commonly used in the production of jewelry. It is abundant and cheaper than gold. It conducts heat well but is more difficult to work than gold. Beginner jewelry makers should practice on silver before moving on to gold. But once you master the skills, you can experiment with gold as well. Here are some advantages of working on silver. You can get more pieces per dollar with silver.

Metals Used in Jewelry

Titanium is a very light metal and is a great choice for making jewelry. It is silver grey and contains a small amount of nickel, but it is not toxic. Nickel is also used in alloys, and the US has yet to set a standard for the amount of nickel that can be found in jewelry components.

The European Union Nickel Directive, however, has a set limit for how much nickel can be released onto the skin in jewelry components tattoo supplies in California. The amount of nickel allowed in jewelry components is different from the percentage of nickel in alloys. The UK has adopted this standard for nickel content.

Another grey metal that is widely used in jewelry is tin. A small percentage of copper and zinc are mixed to create a silver-grey alloy called niello. This metal is extremely light, highly flexible, and hypoallergenic. While tin is the most common type of tin, there are also white versions of niello that are commonly used in jewelry. The composition of white metal and niello varies by casting foundries.