Gold, silver, and platinum are the major metals used today in jewelry making. Platinum is an extremely durable metal that was popular in jewelry until the early 20th century. While platinum is beautiful and lasts for generations, it is often mixed with other metals of its family to make ornaments. Silver is a soft metal that is usually mixed with copper when used in jewelry to strengthen it, but it is prone to tarnishing. Gold remains the most traditional and popular choice for jewelry like earrings and necklaces due to its beauty and softness, though pure gold is too soft and often mixed with other metals like copper.