aluminium /ˌæljʊˈmɪniəm/ (aluminum /əˈluːmɪnəm/ in American English) aluminio: aluminium window frames ^ aluminium foil

brass /brɑːs/ latón: a brass plaque ^ a brass buckle ^ The brass band gives regular concerts.

bronze /brɒnz/ bronce: He won a bronze medal.

caesium /ˈsiːziəm/ (cesium in American English) cesio: Caesium is the most reactive metal, and one of the softest. It occurs in minute quantities in the Earth's crust.

cobalt /ˈkəʊbɔːlt, -bɒlt/ cobalto: Cobalt is used especially for heat-resistant and magnetic alloys.

copper cobre: He worked in a copper mine. ^ Copper wire is being stolen all the time.

chrome / chromium cromo: There are rich deposits of chromium in the nearby hills.

gold oro gold plate baño de oro gold-plated chapado,-da en oro: a gold watch/ring/bracelet

iron hierro: Iron is the most used and cheapest metal. ^ During the Iron Age, this metal for the most part replaced bronze in implements and weapons.

lead /led/ plomo: The heavy lead container was lifted into the cargo bay of the aircraft.

mercury mercurio: Through the years, doctors began to recognize the poisonous side effects of the mercury used in many medical treatments and in industrial procedures.

nickel /ˈnɪkəl/ níquel: The Earth's core is made of metals ‒ mostly iron and nickel.

palladium /pəˈleɪdiəm/ paladio: Only a few corners of the planet produce palladium, platinum's lesser-known relative.

platinum /ˈplætɪnəm/ platino: rich veins of platinum and palladium

plutonium /pluːˈtəʊniəm/ plutonio: There are few peaceful uses for plutonium. ^ a plutonium rod

rubidium /ruːˈbɪdiəm, rʊ-/ rubidio: In 1860, Bunsen along with Kirchoff discovered the elements caesium and rubidium.

silver plata sterling silver plata de ley solid silver plata maciza silver plate baño de plata silver-plated plateado,-da: He won a silver medal. ^ a silver-plated ring

tin estaño: a low shack with a tin roof

titanium /tɪˈteɪniəm, taɪ-/ titanio: He had a titanium rod inserted in one leg.

zinc /zɪŋk/ zinc: Copper, lead and zinc were mined in the centre and north of the country.

IDIOMS

a golden age/opportunity/rule una edad/oportunidad/regla de oro: Thames police are offering a golden opportunity to improve your driving.

all that glitters is not gold (saying) no es oro todo lo que reluce: She quickly became a member of Hollywood's elites. But in show business, all that glitters is not gold.

an iron fist/hand (in a velvet glove) mano de hierro (en un guante de terciopelo): Like an iron fist in a velvet glove, you charmingly but determinedly get what you want. ^ He ran the place with an iron fist.

as bold as brass (British English, informal) con más cara que espaldas: She marched into his big library as bold as brass, and stood in front of his favourite chair.

a/your golden wedding (British English) las bodas de oro: They celebrated their golden wedding on Tuesday. ^ a golden wedding anniversary

speech is silver, silence is golden (saying) calladito,-ta estás más guapo,-pa: Early in my childhood, it was imprinted that silence is golden.

strike while the iron is hot (saying) la ocasión la pintan calva: She looks pretty available to me. I'd strike while the iron is hot.

the top brass (British English, informal) los de arriba, los jefes: He moved in important circles, and occasionally with the top brass.

be a gold mine ser una mina: Magazines are a gold mine for freelance writers.

be as good as gold portarse como un ángel, ser más bueno,-na que el pan [a child]: Maggie is as good as gold.

be born with a silver spoon in you mouth (saying) nacer de pie: You weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Your mama worked 2 or 3 jobs.

be like gold dust ser muy difícil de conseguir: Tickets for the final are like gold dust. ^ This kind of watch is like gold dust these days.

get down to brass tacks (informal) ir al grano: I think we have to get down to brass tacks. ^ Let's get down to brass tacks, gentlemen.

go down like a lead balloon (informal) caer en picado, irse a pique; ser muy mal recibido,-da: I'm afraid the idea went down like a lead balloon.

have a tin ear no tener oído (para la música): He seems to have a tin ear for music.

have several/many/etc. irons in the fire tener varios/muchos/etc. asuntos entre manos: The one problem that he has is he's got too many irons in the fire, and he hasn't done enough to implement the ideas.

pump iron (informal) hacer pesas: When you tell them that they need to go to the gym and pump iron, some think that they will end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

rule (somebody/something) with a rod of iron/with an iron hand (informal) gobernar con mano dura: He ruled with a rod of iron, and I think that was what was needed.

swing the lead (British English, informal, old-fashioned) hacerse el remolón,-na, escaquearse, tener mucho cuento: “Where's David ?” “Swinging the lead, as usual.”