Preface

When customer and salesperson meet across a counter displaying jewelry and related articles, they inevitably talk about one or more of the eight precious metals, which craftsmen use in making jewelry.

This little booklet is designed to provide, in handy form, information about the precious metals. It briefly describes each precious metal in its pure elemental form, and it tells how the precious metals are combined with one another or with base metals to obtain alloys and materials used in manufacture. Information is included concerning the principal sources and the annual production of precious metals.

In addition to their use in jewelry, the precious metals serve people in many other ways. Some of these other uses are cited in the text.

A glossary of some common terms is included, at the back of the booklet.