Alloy

An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements, where at least one is a metal, creating a new material with enhanced properties.

Part of speech: noun
Definition: In jewelry, alloys are crucial for enhancing the physical and aesthetic properties of metals. The process of creating an alloy involves melting and mixing a metal with one or more other elements, which can include other metals or non-metal substances. This combination can significantly improve characteristics such as strength, malleability, corrosion resistance, and color. For instance, gold, which is soft in its pure form, is often alloyed with metals like copper, silver, and zinc to increase its strength and suitability for daily wear as jewelry. Alloys enable jewelers to adjust the properties of metals to meet specific requirements for various applications, providing a balance between attractiveness and durability.