Metal

• Type: Material, Crafting Component, Currency
• Owners: N/A - As a category of raw materials, metals are owned and utilized by various individuals and races. Goblins are particularly renowned for their skill in metalworking.
• Maker: N/A - Metals are naturally occurring elements. They are forged into objects by skilled craftspeople, most notably Goblins, but also by Wizards and even Muggles.

Metals are a fundamental class of materials in the Wizarding world, valued for their durability, malleability, and ability to hold powerful enchantments. They appear in numerous forms, from the humble pewter of a first-year's cauldron to the magnificent goblin-wrought silver of the Sword of Gryffindor. The wizarding economy is based on a metallic standard, with currency consisting of gold Galleons, silver Sickles, and bronze Knuts. Important magical artifacts are frequently crafted from precious metals, reflecting their significance and power. Examples include the heavy gold of Salazar Slytherin's Locket, the small golden Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, the tarnished silver-like appearance of Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem, and the golden frame of the Mirror of Erised. Everyday objects also utilize metal, such as the brass bedsteads on the Knight Bus and the various silver instruments in Albus Dumbledore's office.

Metals are central to many branches of magic and serve a wide variety of functions, often dependent on the specific type of metal and its craftsmanship.

• Goblin-Made Metal: Metalwork forged by Goblins, particularly silver, possesses unique and powerful magical properties. It is nearly indestructible and does not require cleaning. Crucially, it imbibes only that which strengthens it. For example, the Sword of Gryffindor absorbed Basilisk venom after Harry Potter used it to slay the serpent, granting the sword the ability to destroy Horcruxes.
• Enchantment Medium: Due to their resilience, metals are an excellent medium for complex and lasting enchantments. Hermione Granger enchanted fake Galleons with a Protean Charm to serve as communicators for Dumbledore's Army. Other enchanted metal objects include the silver Deluminator, the golden Time-Turner, and the various protective wards on the metal vaults within Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
• Alchemy: The transmutation of base metals into gold is the primary goal of Alchemy. The Philosopher's Stone, created by Nicolas Flamel, was capable of performing this feat, demonstrating gold's status as the ultimate alchemical substance.
• Potion-Making: Cauldrons, the essential tool for brewing potions, are made from various metals. The standard for Hogwarts students is pewter, but more advanced or wealthier brewers might use cauldrons made of brass, copper, or even solid gold.
• Defense: Metal is used to create protective gear. While not as effective as materials like dragon hide, metal armor and shields offer physical protection. Goblin-made armor is considered to be of the highest, most magically-resistant quality.

The history of metal in the Wizarding world is deeply intertwined with the history of the Goblins. As masters of metallurgy, goblins have forged many of the most legendary metal artifacts, including the Sword of Gryffindor. Their unique understanding of metal properties led to a divergent view on ownership; goblins believe that the maker of an object is its true owner, and that payment constitutes a rental, not a sale. This cultural belief has been a source of significant conflict and misunderstanding between Wizards and Goblins for centuries, exemplified by Griphook's intense desire to reclaim the Gryffindor sword. Throughout history, powerful wizards have chosen durable metal objects to serve as their Horcruxes, trusting the material to protect the soul fragment within. Lord Voldemort used several metal artifacts for this purpose: Marvolo Gaunt's Ring (gold), Salazar Slytherin's Locket (gold), Helga Hufflepuff's Cup (gold), and Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem (unidentified white metal).

Metals, and the objects forged from them, are critical to the narrative of the *Harry Potter* series. The pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone in the first book is driven by its ability to produce gold. The primary plot of the final book revolves around the destruction of metal Horcruxes. The unique properties of goblin-made metal make the Sword of Gryffindor one of the few instruments capable of this task, turning it into a pivotal object in the fight against Lord Voldemort. The conflict over the sword's ownership between Harry Potter and Griphook highlights the deep-seated cultural divisions that complicate the war effort. Furthermore, simple enchanted metal objects play key roles, such as the D.A. Galleons facilitating secret communication under the tyrannical rule of Dolores Umbridge, and the golden Time-Turner enabling the rescue of Sirius Black and Buckbeak.

In traditional folklore, silver is often attributed with properties of purity and is famously used as a weapon against dark creatures such as werewolves. While the original novels do not explicitly state that silver harms werewolves, the wizarding world's use of silver in powerful, light-magic artifacts like the Deluminator may be an allusion to these folkloric traditions. The film adaptations provide detailed and intricate designs for many of the key metal objects, such as the locket, cup, and diadem Horcruxes, giving them a distinct visual identity (film).