When use the metal my clients provide me in order to create a bespoken piece I melt their prices metal by melting it. Otherwise most of time I use Ecosilver 100% Recycled Silver and Fair Trade Gold.

Type of metals:

Silver
–Fine .999 silver It is highly resistant to tarnish but can scratch and dent easily.
–Sterling .925 Silver- shiny and bright but can tarnish quickly.
–Argentium/Non-tarnish alloys- 92.5% silver with copper and germanium. More resistant to tarnish and harder. Much less maintenance than sterling but more expensive.
–Silver-filled. Has sterling silver on the surface. It contains about 5-10% silver.
–Silver-plated– A very thin layer of silver plating.
–Nickel Silver– This is not silver but a base metal alloy. It is made of copper with smaller amounts of zinc and/or nickel.
–Tribal or Tibetan Silver– Many contain no silver and are instead a base metal alloy. They are usually only silver in appearance.
–Bali, Mexican or Thai Silver– Silver coming from these areas can be high-quality.

Gold Alloys
Color of Gold Alloy Composition
Yellow Gold (22K). Gold 91.67% Silver 5%Copper 2%
Zinc 1.33%
Red Gold (18K) Gold 75% Copper 25%
Rose Gold (18K) Gold 75% Copper 22.25% Silver 2.75%
Pink Gold (18K) Gold 75% Copper 20% Silver 5%
White Gold (18K) Gold 75% Platinum or Palladium 25%
White Gold (18K) Gold 75% Palladium 10% Nickel 10%
Zinc 5%
Gray-White Gold (18K) Gold 75% Iron 17% Copper 8%
Soft Green Gold (18K) Gold 75% Silver 25%
Light Green Gold (18K) Gold 75% Copper 23% Cadmium 2%
Green Gold (18K) Gold 75% Silver 20% Copper 5%
Deep Green Gold (18K) Gold 75% Silver 15% Copper 6%
Cadmium 4%
Blue-White or Blue Gold (18K) Gold 75% Iron 25%
Purple Gold Gold 80% Aluminum 20%