What metal is used in cheap jewellery?

The most common metals in affordable jewellery are brass, copper and aluminium. They are easy to cast, polish and colour, which is why they appear in so many fashion pieces. Stainless steel is also popular because it is strong and does not rust easily.

Many of these items are plated to look more luxurious. A thin coat of gold or silver is applied over the base metal. This gives a bright, shiny finish at a fraction of the cost of solid gold or silver.

The trade-off is durability. Plating wears away with daily use, especially on rings that rub against surfaces. The base metal may then show through or react with sweat and creams. Some people also experience skin irritation from the underlying alloy.

If you want something you can wear every day without worry, solid precious metals are a better investment. They do not flake or fade and can be resized if your finger size changes. For occasional or trend-led pieces, plated or base metal jewellery is perfectly fine.