Valuable gold is a metal loved by many for its shine, durably and beautiful color. Traditionally, gold has been a top choice for jewelry-making since it’s known for being naturally soft and easy to work with. It also has a reputation for being luxurious and long-lasting.

On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness gold is 2.5–3.

Precious and rare, platinum is a bright white metal that’s durable and a great hypoallergenic choice for those with sensitive skin. Since platinum is extremely durable, it can last for generations. This is one of the reasons why it’s a favorite among those looking for timeless engagement rings and jewelry.

Platinum is recorded as being 3.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Silver has been a valuable metal for centuries – in fact, at one time it was even more valuable than gold. Today, silver happens to be one of the most affordable metals around. Since pure silver is too soft, it’s often mixed with other durable metals to create sterling silver. While sterling silver is stronger, it’s still prone to scratches over time.

Silver is 2.5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness

In addition to the popular three metals – Gold, Silver, and Platinum – there’s also plenty of alternative metals on the market to choose from. Metal plating in Titanium, Palladium, and Rhodium is popular choices among men as they appreciate them being light-weight, modern, and durable.

These metals have high scores on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness with Palladium being 5, and both Titanium and Rhodium being 6.