materials

Materials types

Bronze

The metal alloy is not only found in the furniture industry and in mechanical engineering, but is also processed into high-quality instruments and tools. Bronze has also been used in jewelry production for some time and is particularly popular in this area. Likewise, almost all bells for churches today are cast from bronze. The gold- brown to red-brown metal consists of at least 60 Percent made of copper and has been over before 6.000 Years to arms- and jewelry making. For this reason, the material is also considered to be oldest technical alloy. 1836 became the epoch of 2200 to 800 before Christ by the prehistorian Christian Jürgensen Thomsen with the term "Bronze Age". Numerous finds from this time attest, how popular the metal alloy was back then. One of the most important contemporary witnesses is, for example, the Nebra Sky Disc, a bronze plate made in the Bronze Age with gold applications. It is considered to be the first known so far, concrete representation of the sky.

Bronze is not only characterized by its high strength, Due to its special properties, it is now also used as a contact element in electrical engineering.

Depending on the composition, a distinction is made between different types of bronze. In contrast to bronze, brass is characterized by the main alloy addition zinc. The various bronze alloys were used to mint coins over time, depending on their properties, for the production of art objects or for the production of musical instruments. In the manufacture of jewelry, the durability of the alloy is of course of great importance. As a result, the value of a piece of jewelry is preserved for a long time.

Carbon

The future of this material has only just begun. The “carbon fiber reinforced plastic” was before 10 Years and was first developed for space travel. Later it was mainly used in professional racing.

Meanwhile, the non-corrosive substance has also been used in the manufacture of drones, Electric cars, Aircraft, Skateboards, Wind turbine rotors, Musical instruments, Bridges and medical devices enforced. Lately, carbon has been, next to the classic precious metals, Thanks to its unique surface, it has also been tried and tested in jewelry production. Carbon rings, for example, are particularly popular, since they are very light, are extremely stable and comfortable to wear. Titanium, for example, is many times heavier and therefore cannot compete with carbon in jewelry production.

Carbon is particularly characterized by its stability and tensile strenght and is also extremely light. Depending on how it is processed, carbon electricity conducts heat, is extreme flexible and pronounced heat- and cold-resistant. However, a lot of energy has to be used in production, whereby this is not exactly cheap.

Surgical steel

Surgical steel is classified as a stainless steel and is designated as 316L. The material is particularly advantageous in the manufacture of earrings. The high-quality material is a must for freshly pierced ears and piercings, because inflammation is prevented, which in turn accelerates the healing process. Allergic reactions can also be ruled out. However, it should be noted, that even surgical steel earrings contain a small amount of nickel. However, this is well below the maximum value specified by the EU nickel regulation.

Surgical steel is high corrosion resistant, very stable and acid resistant. It is also easy to polish, easy to weld and not magnetizable.
In the medicine Surgical steel is also used, for example for the production of surgical implants. These implants reside in the human body for a lifetime, without any harmful side effects.

Surgical steel is also an important part of bone fixation screws, Body needles, Bone plates, Bone nails, Wires, Clamps and also from pacemaker electrodes.

Precious metal

The classic precious metals are mainly used in the manufacture of jewelry, since they only severely corrode. This means, that they can also be used in natural surroundings under environmental influences (Effects of air and water) are chemically stable. This is what makes precious metals so high-quality and extremely popular in the jewelry industry. Silver is one of the best-known precious metals, Gold and platinum. In some cases, mercury is also counted among the precious metals. In addition, however, iridium also belongs, Palladium, Rhodium, Osmium and ruthenium belong to the group of precious metals.

Precious metals hardly rust, have a high material value and are extremely resistant to most acids, whereby they were also used to make coins.

stainless steel

Stainless steel is also used as a valuable and high-quality material in the manufacture of a wide variety of pieces of jewelry. This raw material is not only special robust, but is characterized above all by its very attractive appearance. All types of steel are summarized under the term “stainless steel”, which is characterized by a special high purity distinguish. That means in this case, that certain phosphorus- and sulfur ingredients have a value of 0,025 Percent must not exceed. Stainless steel is usually perfect rustproof. However, this is not considered a general classification feature, as stainless steels can also rust under certain circumstances and non-stainless steel can also be rustproof. Instead, the proportion of alloy components is used as a precisely definable criterion for the classification of stainless steel.

Stainless steel can also be an alloy. Most of the time this is chrome, molybdenum, Nickel, Titanium or niobium alloy components.

Stainless steel is characterized by a high Chemical resistance It can also be processed without any problems, making it the perfect raw material for the production of high quality jewelry.

Enamel

As a synonym for enamel is also Glass flow in use. From a chemical point of view, enamel is a mixture of melts, Boraten, Silicates and fluorides of the metals potassium, sodium, Lead and aluminum. The first email work known to us is 3.500 Years old and was discovered as a burial object in Mycenaean tombs in Cyprus. The smelting mixture was also known to the Egyptians. In the Middle Ages, enamel was mainly used in goldsmithing. Enamel serves as an excellent one in the industry Protective cover of everyday objects. and various equipment. The metal is protected from rust by the melt mixture. Enamel is also often used to decorate carrier materials, like glass or metal and of course also used to make beautiful jewelry.

The French term describes a mixture of inorganic substances, which by one Melting process be merged. However, this is canceled shortly before its climax, which creates a glassy mass. Then this mass is heated a few more times and fixed on a carrier material. The protective function of enamel is a discovery of the 19. Century. Thanks to its protective function, enamel contributes significantly to the preservation of metal or glass. In these cases you are the carrier material. Enamel work is characterized above all by its high quality and artistic character. The material is therefore not only of practical use, but can also be used artistically. Colored oxides can also be used for design. This is a great advantage in jewelry making.

Glass

The Germanic term means "the shiny" or "the shimmering". The translucent and easily fragile material is often used in jewelry production and can be colored as desired. Glass is the umbrella term for numerous amorphous solids with the same or similar properties. Glass mostly consists of silicon dioxide, however, there are also glasses, which are made from organic materials. Amber or acrylic would be examples. For the production of glass are among other things silicon dioxide, Sodium oxide and other important elements required from raw materials. They are made of quartz sand, for example, Feldspar, Soda, lime, Extracted dolomite and waste glass. All of these raw materials are melted and then shaped according to their use.

Forms and application:

• Hollow glass for bottles and tableware
• Glass fibers for the manufacture of glass wool
• Flat glass and tubular glass for industrial purposes.
• Colored glass is particularly cheap to produce and, due to its appearance, is often used to implement jewelry creations.

Almost any substance can be converted from its liquid or gaseous state into a reasonably stable glass by rapid cooling.

Gold

Gold is a precious metal, which in the periodic table under the symbol "Au” (years.: aurum) can be found. (It belongs to the series of transition metals.) Gold is one of the first metals, which were processed by human hands at all. The rare precious metal is not only used to manufacture rare cult objects, but also incorporated into valuable pieces of jewelry. The name itself comes from Indo-European and means "shiny" or "yellow". For quite some time it has been mainly called Means of payment or used for jewelry processing. Because of its rarity, the Gold value largely stable. Gold is therefore particularly in demand in times of crisis.

The most common type of precious metal is the 333, 585he and 750 gold alloy, so combined with silver and copper. The number indicates the proportion of pure gold contained in the alloy of a piece of jewelry, measured in thousandths of a unit (Per mille), an. Feingold owns with 999/1.000 Gold content the highest purity. The best known and most frequently used types of gold are yellow gold, the reddish rose gold with a high copper content and the light white gold. Gold has been incorporated into ritual objects for thousands of years. Because of the fatal effects on the environment, gold mining has been heavily criticized around the world.

rubber

Not just natural precious metals, such as gold or silver are important components of unique jewelry. Other materials are also common, like rubber is involved in the production of high-quality and visually attractive pieces of jewelry. Rubber is part of numerous exclusive products, more natural and modern ornaments and is also called “Gummi elasticum” or “Elastic resin” designated. The word rubber is made up of the Indian terms "cao" which means tree and "ochu", what tear means. So the rubber is considered one Tear of the tree seen and has been around for more than 3.000 Years known. After the discovery of America, few people understood the term rubber. However, books gradually spread knowledge about this interesting material.

Chemically speaking, is the material one elastic polymer. It is used in the production of rubber. Round 90 Percent of natural rubber is obtained from the rubber tree. Only 10 Percent come from other tree species, for example from the balata tree, the pear apple tree or the guayule plant.
Rubber doesn't have to be obtained naturally, but can also be produced petrochemically. Meanwhile, through this procedure 60 Percent of global demand can be met.

Because rubber is a very robust and practical basic material represents, it is particularly interesting for the jewelry industry. It is mainly used in bracelets and necklaces. The durability of the piece of jewelery depends on the frequency and the different conditions, under which this is worn. Strong exposure to the sun, Salt water and other environmental influences can reduce the durability of jewelry, which contain rubber, shorten. For this reason one should also prevent, that this jewelry comes into contact with chemicals or cosmetics. The rubber piece of jewelery can be cleaned with lukewarm water.

Ceramics

The term ceramic comes from the Greek (Keramos = Töpferton) and is a collective term for all clay products made from different types of clay by firing. Already over 30.000 Years ago were artifacts, Figures and jewelry made from this material. Ceramic is a versatile material, which, due to its unique properties, is now extremely popular in the jewelry industry. Jewelery made from this material is not only nice to look at for a long time, but also have a excellent skin tolerance on. The inorganic substance can be produced from different raw materials. Today there are numerous followers, Rings and other accessories made from the by no means everyday material. The stone material is also suitable for making jewelry for allergy sufferers, there are almost no limits to the color design. Because of this, the individual pieces of jewelry extremely popular with engravings and stones made from the special material.

Rough classification of the ceramic materials:

– Irdengut
– Earthenware
– Steinzeug
– porcelain
– Special dimensions

copper

Copper is in the periodic table of the elements under the symbol "Cu" and the atomic number 29 to find. Like gold, it belongs to the series of transition metals and also to the coin metals. Copper is salmon pink in color and has a metallic appearance. The name copper comes from Latin and can literally include "The ore of Cyprus" to be translated. The metal is extremely soft, conducts heat and electricity very well and can be processed and used in many ways. The first mirrors were made from this very metal.

In alchemy, copper was considered an association of femininity and was seen as a compound of sulfur and mercury. Then as now, no great effort is required to process copper. Because of this, it could have been used by people before 10.000 Years of use. The main ovens, which are used for copper extraction, are the flame furnace and since 1980 also the flash smelting furnace. Nowadays copper is especially found in electronic fields use, whereby its high conductivity is used in pipes and components. Copper roofs are particularly popular, because the material drifts easily due to its softness and this type of roof has a very high life expectancy.

In alloys, copper is used together with gold or silver, around these precious metals in jewelry making more hardness and other shades of color to rent.

Manager

Leather has been around for almost 6.000 Years to dress the upper body, used as shoe material and of course as ornaments. Leather jewelry is still extremely modern today and is particularly popular with young people. trinket, which have a high proportion of leather, are characterized by it, that they are in a solid price range. Nevertheless, the products are always exclusive and of high quality. Leather is relatively impermeable to water, but is still breathable. A certain degree of know-how is required for the extraction and further processing, because leather is made of Animal skin, more precisely from the dermis, obtained and made durable with the help of tanning. Leather jewelry has an extremely high quality high quality and one noble character. A distinction is made between leather and fur. Are hair on the animal skin, so this is called fur.

Different types of leather can be obtained depending on the species. (Cowhide, Hide and seek, Pigskin, Nappa leather, Goatskin, Horse leather ...). Leather can also be made from the skin of reptiles. The fat- as well as the water content of the animal skin influence the properties of the leather, such as tear resistance, the elasticity or the water absorption capacity. The chemical composition of the leather depends on the respective manufacturing process.

Malachit

The well-known mineral is often used as a decorative element in different types of jewelry. Malachite is one of the carbonates and comes in numerous variants of the color green. Esotericism even writes malachites Healing powers with gynecological problems, however, this cannot be scientifically proven. Its shine is like that of a diamond, the sheen of silk or can as Glass gloss to be discribed. However, malachite can also have a matt and earthy shine. Malachites are never completely transparent, but they can be translucent. The most are completely opaque. The mineral was valued and used to make jewelry even in ancient times. It is also an important raw material for statues and other art products.

Malachite is particularly popular in modern jewelry, if it unique green colors contains. This can be compared to the grain of wood. Malachite must be processed under strict security measures, because its dust is poisonous. The production of jewelry with a malachite coating, on the other hand, is not that complicated. This jewelry often comes in the shape of a shell- or snail shells. Malachite does crystallize in the system of monoclinic crystals, however, only very rarely develops crystals, which can be seen with the naked eye.

Messing

Brass has been around for over 3.500 Years and was already used for the production of, Household, Cool- and jewelry used. Brass kettles and beakers are evidence of the long history of this material. This copper alloy, consists mainly of copper. In addition, zinc forms a second important component, this also for the bright ones, the golden yellow color of the brass. The more zinc there is in the brass, the lighter the alloy is ultimately. If the zinc content is above 36 percent, this gives the brass an extremely light color, almost white color. If the proportion is less than 20 Percent, the metal is dark and brown. Brass is one of the most common copper alloys, its base always consists of copper and zinc. In addition to the two main components, other metals can also be incorporated into the alloy in low proportions. Which metals are these, depends, which properties are desired. Nickel, for example, changes the corrosion properties. Brass is not magnetic, which is why it is ideally suited for the production of special tools. It is mainly used there, Where electric conductivity must be given.

Table brass, Gold brass, and Talmigold are still used today for the manufacture of jewelry and decorative items, as well as used in musical instrument making and for making clocks.

Nickel

This chemical element can be found in the periodic table under the symbol "Ni". The metal shimmers silvery-white. There are objects, which prove, that it already 3.400 before Christ, for example in the production of Coins, even if it wasn't always on purpose. 1754 the metal was first named with the term nickel. This name comes from the miners, who mined the ore. Since no copper could be extracted from this, despite its visual similarity to copper ore, the miners suspected a curse by the nickel, the mountain spirits.

In everyday life we ​​are constantly surrounded by nickel. It's not only found in jewelry, but also in wristwatches, Glasses frames, Kitchen appliances, cutlery, Zippers, Saucepans, Shoes, Keys, Silver coins, Doorknobs and scissors. The alloy can also be used in silver and white gold up to 20 Percent contain nickel. To prevent tarnishing, Silver alloy objects are often used nickel-plated.

Of course, nickel is also used in the jewelry industry. The metal also belongs to the transition metals. Nickel is also one of the heavy metals, can be forged and excellent superbly polished become. Nickel is mostly used in an alloy, such as in coins. These are thereby protected from rust. In the past, nickel was best known for the so-called nickel glasses, whose sockets were made of nickel. The important metal is used to refine steel, which is especially true for jewelry, Watches and glasses always pay attention to the nickel content. Many people suffer from a contact allergy caused by nickel.

Palladium

Palladium is the chemical element with the symbol “Pd” and the atomic number 46. The precious metal has a silvery-white color and looks metallic. Palladium also belongs to the category of transition metals and is often found in alloys. These alloys are of great importance in jewelry making. The name Palladium comes from its discoverer William Hyde Wollaston, which the material after Asteroid Pallas named.

One of the special properties of palladium is, for example, that it does not react with oxygen at room temperature, and the, although it is to the most reactive elements belongs to the nickel group. It keeps its glowing, metallic luster, without starting. Only at extremely high temperatures (over 400 °C) palladium turns blue. At even higher temperatures (from 800 °C) However, the surface of the precious metal wins its own shine back, because the oxide decomposes. The rare element is of course not only used in jewelry such as watches, but also applies to catalytic converters, dentures, Finest films and even used in nanotechnology. Palladium is also ideally suited for the manufacture of medical instruments.

Mother of pearl

This natural mineral also plays a major role in jewelry making. Mother-of-pearl is created, if mollusks (for example the gyratory snails, the round mouth- or the turban snails, as well as pearl oysters) produce mother-of-pearl in the formation of their shell. Build up your inner shell layer with it. Is sparkles and shimmers and is therefore part of many high-quality pieces of jewelry, Musical instruments and textiles interesting. The animals, who produce the mother-of-pearl, use its flashing and glowing effects to ward off enemies.

Since it is a natural fabric acts, its appearance always depends on the respective animal and its geographic location. From a chemical point of view, mother-of-pearl consists of a combination of calcium carbonate and other organic substances. The biological material consists of several layers that correspond in size to the wavelength of the light. For this reason, the incident white light is also passed on to each layer and also reflected. This overlay creates the dazzling play of colors of mother-of-pearl, when the perspective on it is varied.

platinum

This element is in the periodic table under the atomic number 78 and can be found under the symbol "Pt". It also belongs to the category of transition metals and is a heavy metal. The gray-white metal, the one darker shade than silver hat, is soft and extremely elastic. In contrast, platinum is also very resistant to environmental influences. The heavy metal is also very corrosion-resistant and, thanks to its softness, can be forged extremely well. It works particularly well in alloys polishing. The name comes from Spanish. The word "platina" means something like "worse silver".

Platinum is extremely popular in jewelry making, since it is so high-quality and versatile is. The metal also has special properties. In the past, the value of platinum was often underestimated and even used to adulterate gold. The heavy metal is extremely stable at high temperatures. Acids, like aqua regia, However, hydrochloric acid and nitric acid can attack platinum, if oxygen is also available. Platinum is considered that most valuable precious metal, because it is even rarer and therefore more valuable than gold. So it's not a surprise, that the element is used to produce high quality jewelry. Incidentally is to be mentioned, that platinum is much more robust and harder than gold. Platinum is also used in the construction of chemical apparatus, Catalysts, in analysis devices, in crucibles, used in pacemakers or thermocouples.

The gray-white metal is optically a little darker than silver.

Rhodium

This chemical element belongs to the category of transition metals. The silvery-white one, metallic coloring makes this fabric absolutely unique. The precious metal is under the symbol "Rh" and under the ordinal number 45 can be found in the periodic table. Above all, rhodium is characterized by its extreme hardness and high reactivity. Rhodium is very difficult to extract and therefore has its price. The The hardness of rhodium even exceeds that of gold and platinum. However, the precious metal is just as tough, that it can be processed easily by mechanical means.

One can compare rhodium with other platinum metals, because it has the same appearance and the same properties. The metal has extremely good catalytic properties and can therefore be used in a variety of ways. Rhodium alloys are found in vehicle catalytic converters, for example. For the jewelry industry, rhodium is very important as a coating, high-quality jewelry, To refine glasses frames and watches. The coating prevents tarnishing of the metal, which unfortunately often happens with silver jewelry. Is the element used in this context, so one speaks of rhodium plating.

silver

This chemical element, the one with the symbol “Ag” (years. Argentum) is recorded in the periodic table, is also counted among the transition metals. It can be deformed well, but can still be in a stable and permanent Form to be brought. This is precisely why it is so popular in the jewelry industry. In fact, it is one of the most common materials used in jewelry making. This is not only due to the flexibility of the silver, also on his beautiful bright optics. Of all the elements known so far, silver has the highest conductivity and can also be the highest of all metals thermal conductivity delight. The high-quality metal is extracted from silver ores, from lead ores and from copper ores.

The white, shiny precious metal is rarely used as pure silver for jewelry. Numerous alloys are used much more frequently for this purpose. The most important alloys are copper-silver alloys. The ingredients make the silver harder, without it becoming brittle. The material is classified according to the fineness of the silver in the alloy. A distinction is therefore made between 800s, 835is, 925he or 935 silver. Silver is that Heavy metal with the highest electrical conductivity of all known elements, at least in the unmodified state. The most important silver deposits are in North America (Mexico, USA and Canada) and in South America (Peru and Bolivia) localized. With approximately 30 Percent was Peru 2009 the world's largest silver producer. 2015 Mexico co-produced 5.370 Tonnes of the most silver in the world, followed by Peru with 3.850 metric tons.

Silver works in finest form bactericidal, so slightly toxic, In the living organism, however, silver ions are usually bound to sulfur extremely quickly and are thus eliminated from the material cycle as dark silver sulfide. The precious metal is considered the only metal in many fairy tales and legends, which can kill werewolves and other mythological beings. This property is often taken up in modern fantasy novels and films.

And

Velvet has been a material that has been known for ages, which is characterized by its high quality character. What very few people know, is the fact, that velvet is also used in jewelry making. Velvet used to be known under the term "velvet". The very special type of fabric, in which a thread pile is incorporated, was already worn with pleasure by the aristocrats.

The clothes of kings were made from exactly this textile. The pile, more precisely its length, is also crucial for the classification of And, Velor and plush. The pile of velvet is the shortest, it is maximum 3 Millimeter long. This keeps the velvet soft and gentle, but is the hardest compared to the other two substances. In addition to real velvet, there is also fake velvet. This can be recognized by the flocking stuck to the base fabric. In the jewelry industry, the high-quality material is mainly used for collars and bracelets.

Titan

Due to its properties, titanium is ideal for making jewelry, even if this industry is currently dominated by gold and silver. Titanium is listed under the element symbol "Ti" in the periodic table of the elements and belongs to the category of transition metals. Its color is white and shiny, whereby the material is of great importance for the jewelry industry. Titan doesn't just look pretty, the jewelry made from it is also extremely convenient. On top of that comes, that the metal is resistant, yet it is elastic and timeless.

Titanium can be processed extremely well. In addition, titanium is extremely resistant to corrosion, even at extreme temperatures. The production of titanium is extremely cumbersome. The metal is made from ilmenite and rutile and is therefore significantly more expensive than other common steel alloys. Titanium is a basic material for all kinds of jewelry such as glasses frames, Clocks, Call, Chains and so on. The metal is mainly used as a micro-alloy component or in systems, with Sea water in contact come built-in (Ship propeller, Anodes, …) Also in space travel and medicine (with. B. with dental implants) or in coins, titanium is a commonly used metal.

Wolfram

Tungsten is a shiny white heavy metal that is brittle in its pure state. The fabric has a very high density and can be found in the periodic table of the elements under the symbol "W". The high density is very unusual for a base metal. Of all pure metals, tungsten has the highest enamel- and boiling point. In its pure state, tungsten is an extreme well malleable metal. That is why it is most often used as a filament in incandescent lamps.

The chemical element belongs to the transition metals, as well as silver and titanium. Due to its properties, tungsten is ideal for the production of high-quality and attractive jewelry. Tungsten has a white sheen and is quite in its pure state brittle. In addition to its main use in the lighting industry, tungsten is also used to shield radiation. Because of its density, the is almost as high as that of gold, tungsten is a popular material, to implement additional weights (with. B. in racing).

In the jewelry sector, the heavy metal is mainly used in rings, because its gray color makes it an interesting raw material. Combined with carbon, tungsten carbide is produced, a special crystal phase, which, along with diamonds, is one of the hardest known materials. This connection is also popular in the manufacture of sturdy, high-quality jewelry.

Tungsten carbide

Tungsten carbide is a ceramic, which does not oxidize. This ceramic is made from the chemical elements tungsten and carbon. It is an intercalation solid solution, the absolutely scratch-resistant and particularly hard are. The hardness of tungsten carbide is almost as high, like that of a diamond. For this reason it is mainly used for the production of tools or for the production of scratch-resistant watch cases. Tungsten carbide is gray and odorless. The crystalline solid is also practically insoluble in water. This special ceramic forms the main component of many types of carbide, which are used to manufacture cutting tools and as a material for highly stressed components (Printing blocks or forming tools) can be used. Hugo Lohmann discovered 1914 the numerous possible uses of tungsten carbide for the first time, which resulted from the binding of the substance with metals of the iron group using powder metallurgical working methods.

For a few years now, tungsten carbide has also been processed into jewelry. However, this one is named "Tungsten jewelry" designated. In watchmaking, tungsten carbide is used in the case for the first time in the DiaStar model. However, handling the hard metal requires special protective measures, because tungsten carbide-cobalt dust can trigger pulmonary fibrosis. A carcinogenic effect is also suspected. This is due to the cobalt. However, the acute toxicity of tungsten carbide is extremely low.

Xylonit

Xylonite is the first known semi-synthetic nitrocellulose-based plastic. He was around 1860 discovered by the English chemist Alexander Parkes. Before that, Xylonite was under the name Parkensin known. Among other things, it was used to manufacture material for ornaments, Knife handles and cuffs used.