Not all jewelry has to be “traditional”. A unique individual can really establish their own personal style and statement by pairing unique metals with classic gemstones. Consider how many different metals are now used in diamond jewelry. Today’s jewelers are using silver and gold, but they have also added stainless steel, tungsten, titanium, palladium, zirconium, rhodium, niobium, platinum and other alloys to their repertoire.
Each of these alternative metals can provide a unique look, style or statement and are well worth consideration for a custom piece of jewelry. Consider that wedding bands or engagement rings in such materials will be conversation starters for years to come! Also, an old family heirloom diamond cut in one of the less glittery or flashy ways might create a beautiful finish with an equally subdued metal.
Silver is still among jewelers’ favorite metals. This is due to its superior strength and affordability. The problem with the purest forms of the metal is its easy tarnishing which can permanently damage the jewelry. To combat this it is often mixed with alloys, but this too is not preferred because it weakens the final product. Silver therefore is usually used with semi-precious gemstones instead of precious stones like diamonds.
Gold is another metal of choice, both for its looks and value, but the metal is difficult to use in its purest form because of the softness of the final product and its exorbitantly high cost.
The alternative options listed above can allow the jeweler to create incredibly strong, non-tarnishing and entirely unique pieces. Among the top choices in modern jewelry designs is stainless steel. Its contemporary looks offer an urban chic appeal and its refusal to rust, corrode or bend gives it a lot of value to those who want to wear their jewelry on a daily basis. When it is paired with diamonds, it is often formed into the popular “dog tag” pieces worn by men, or it is formed into rings and pendants. Its resistance to rust and stains makes it the ideal metal for rings worn daily, such as diamond engagement bands.
One of the hottest metals to be used by diamond jewelry manufacturers is tungsten. It has a permanent polish when properly handled and finished. It is totally resistant to corrosion and is one of the strongest materials ever available to jewelers, which is the reason it is appearing in more and more in diamond rings. It is actually four times harder than titanium and requires no maintenance in order to retain its shiny finish. Tungsten jewelry is also scratch proof which makes it popular with those who intend to wear it daily. It is a hugely popular choice among many men because of its sleek look, but it should be noted that tungsten is an incredibly difficult material to deal with if re-sizing or emergency removal are an issue.
Titanium is not a brand new metal for diamond jewelry. In fact, after gold and platinum it is the third most popular metal for diamond rings. It is immune to corrosion, hypo-allergenic and non-magnetic. It is as strong as steel, but only half the weight and is incredibly durable. The reason titanium is losing in competition against tungsten has to do with the other metal’s permanent shine, which so many men want in their wedding jewelry. Titanium is now also available in varying shades of black and gray, and most jewelers find that this is the variety often opted for by men who cannot convince their spouse to select tungsten.
Anyone who likes white gold, but who needs a far more durable piece of jewelry, should look to palladium. It is as equally pure white in color as platinum, resembles white gold when finished and polished, but is significantly stronger and all at the same cost. It, like titanium, is hypo-allergenic and incredibly strong and less than half the weight of steel. It is a very practical choice for anyone looking for diamond jewelry with the formality of platinum, but at much less expense.
Another more modern option for metals to pair with diamonds is zirconium. This is a unique material that is finished in a black or grayish white color. It is a scratch resistant material with incredible surface strength and comes at a lesser cost than the precious metals. This is an appealing option to many men looking for daily jewelry or a unique metal for their wedding band.
Fans of platinum’s looks, but not its cost, can turn to rhodium for their diamond jewelry settings. It is a silver-white metal that is a relative to platinum. It too is strong, durable and highly reflective, the only drawback to the use of rhodium is that it is often plated over silver to provide a more durable final product and this can lead to some staining on the skin of the wearer.
Finally, one of the newest metals to make its way into the world of diamond jewelry is niobium. It is a member of both the tungsten and titanium families and is a light gray in coloration. It is adaptable to alteration and can be anodized to shades of purple, rose, yellow, blue, pink and even black. It is priced comparably to silver, but its flexibility makes it one of the most creative options for jewelers to use.