Alloy

A metallic material that is a combination of two or more different metals. Pure gold, for example, is too soft by itself and is mixed with alloy metals such as copper and zinc to increase its hardness.

Below is a breakdown of the percentage of pure gold in each of the popular karat weights:

  • 24 Karat: 99.9% Pure
  • 22 Karat: 91.7% Pure
  • 18 Karat: 75% Pure
  • 14 Karat: 58.3% Pure
  • 12 Karat: 50% Pure
  • 10 Karat: 41.7% Pure

Sterling Silver jewelry is an alloy that contains a mixture of 92.5% pure Silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually Copper. In order to be called Sterling Silver, the metal must possess at least 92.5% pure Silver, but the other components can vary.

Nickel Silver is actually not silver at all! Despite its name, Nickel Silver is an alloy that combines Copper, Nickel and Zinc and contains no Pure Silver.

Brass is a copper and zinc alloy that's gold color. It will tarnish and turn brown overtime

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