Precious Metal Gold 18K vs Silver 925
Precious Metal · grade comparison
Precious Metal Gold 18K and Silver 925 are both precious metal grades, both jewelry precious metal. Gold 18K is the stronger of the two: yield strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Silver 925, about 167% more; tensile strength follows at 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 280 MPa (40.6 ksi). Gold 18K is harder — 140 HB against 58 HB for Silver 925 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Silver 925 is lighter (10.36 g/cm³ vs 15.5 g/cm³ for Gold 18K) and Gold 18K runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, Gold 18K welds better (excellent vs good).
Gold 18KChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Silver 925Choose it when weight is the constraint.
Gold 18K vs Silver 925: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all precious metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all precious metal grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Same in both: Elongation at Break 40%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every precious metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Gold 18K | Silver 925 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | O | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Gold 18K vs Silver 925 — frequently asked
Is Gold 18K stronger than Silver 925?
Yes. Gold 18K has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for Silver 925 — about 167% more. Tensile strength is 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) vs 280 MPa (40.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Gold 18K or Silver 925?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Gold 18K or Silver 925?
Gold 18K, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for Silver 925; for welding the order is Gold 18K first (excellent, 85/100) then Silver 925 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Gold 18K and Silver 925 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.