The two basic precious metals used in church art are — gold and silver. Despite the fact that most church objects are made of silver, gold is at the top of the symbolic hierarchy. Also, if we look at ecclesiastical art as a whole, including iconography and temple architecture, it will be shown that gold is also in the first place in quantitative terms.

The first and basic value of gold is that we perceive it as light, and we can call it "the absolute metaphor of light". This symbolism is not exclusively related to Christianity, but can also be found in the ancient Greeks and ancient Slavic cultures, for whom "gold is a fire that shines in the night." On the other hand, light in Christianity is a symbol of the divine: "... that God is light, and there is no darkness in him." (I Epistle of John 1.5). Therefore, gold as — "absolute metaphor of light"; represents "absolute metaphor of God", and it can be said that light is not the essence of God, but his energy.

Светлост као духовни симбол има неколико вредности. С једне стране, то је — јасноћа, која открива суштину постојања. У Јеванђељу по Јовану каже се: «А Исус им рече: Још је мало времена свјетлост са вама; идите док свјетлост имате да вас тама не обузме; а ко иде по тами не зна куда иде» (Јован XII.35). С друге стране, светлост је блистање Божанске Славе, – „И слава Господња бјеше по виђењу као огањ који сажиже…“ (Излазак XXIV.17), светлост, од које је ослепео прогонитељ Савла и духовно прогледао апостол Павле (Дела апостолска XXII.11). Прецизно говорећи, злато у великој мери може одаслати „заслепљујући сјај“ у комбинацији са „тајанственим мраком“, што је , према учењу Дионисија Ареопагите, синоним за божанску светлост: „Ова светлост је чулима непојмива због невиђеног сјаја и уједно недостижна због богатства суштинског светла, а у тај тајанствени мрак улази онај који је успео да спозна и види Бога не видом  и сазнањем, већ онај који је ваистину успео да се уздигне изнад вида и сазнања…“.

Both properties of this light — transparent clarity and strong brilliance, expressed through the substances of glass and gold, describe the appearance of the Heavenly Jerusalem: "...and the City is pure gold, like pure glass." (Revelation XXI.18). In Christian art, these qualities materialize in the transparency of the stained glass windows of the Catholic Church and the golden glow of Byzantine mosaics and Orthodox icons. The above example reflects the fundamental difference between the theological views of the West and the East. In the Orthodox Church, the value of gold is reflected in its symbolism of Divine Unreal Light, Divine Glory. For this reason, gold is used in iconography and in church goldsmithing. Gold can also be associated specifically with angels as a personification of the Divine Glory. Byzantine engraved icons with the motif of Archangel Michael are well-known.

The next value of gold is also related to light, namely sunlight. Such symbolism is inseparable from many pre-Christian cultures. Gold was regularly associated with the Sun, and silver with the Moon. Christianity adopted this kind of symbolism, forming a new sequence of symbols: gold is a symbol of the Sun, and the Sun is a symbol of Christ. The epithet of Christ, according to the words of the prophet Malachi, is the "Sun of Righteousness" (IV.2). The sun has always been associated with worldly emperors, so it is also an imperial symbol, and gold - because of its properties as a symbol of imperial dignity. For this reason, the wise men also gave gold to the newlywed Christ as the messianic king, the "King of Glory". The regalia of the secular emperors were mostly made of gold, and most of the imperial gifts and religious objects donated to the imperial temples were made of gold.

In direct connection with gold is another precious metal - silver, whose paramount value is related to moral purity, sanctity and innocence. These values were also contributed by silver's properties of exceptional whiteness and the ability to prevent the processes of decomposition and decay. Probably because of this last feature, silver has always been attributed magical properties, and the power to ward off evil forces. Although both metals are a symbol of innocence, spiritual and physical integrity, and not a symbol of harm and harmfulness, gold and silver differ somewhat in their significance. If gold is an absolute and divine symbol, silver reflects the living nature of man to a greater extent. Therefore, silver is ideal for making individual sacred objects such as crosses, icons and similar objects that come into contact with dirt, disease, and on the spiritual plane with sin. The property of silver to darken over time symbolizes the fallen nature of Adam. The silver cross, in addition to spiritual support, will indicate health disorders in a person. Our ancestors used this property of silver to monitor the health of children. A silver cross worn on the body or a child's silver earring prevented, according to belief, the appearance of illness.

As a symbol of innocence, silver and gold symbolize virginal purity and are therefore associated with the Virgin. Moreover, silver is often the basic symbol of the Mother of God, as is gilding as a substitute for pure gold. As a reflection of the Divine Light, gilding is often present on silver. It can completely cover the object, bringing it closer to the symbolic meaning of pure gold, and it can also be present fragmentarily, creating a symbolic combination of two metals. This composition of colors is often used in representations of the Revelation, symbolizing holiness (silver), which is found in the rays of God's Glory (gold).

There is another additional symbolic value of gold and silver, which is related to the process of smelting and refining these metals. It is a symbol of transformation, enlightenment, asceticism and martyrdom. In all nations, the process of melting and casting metal has a certain magical connotation. However, in Christianity this process is deeply connected with the temptation and transformation of the human soul. On their way to shine, gold and silver pass through fire: "The smelter is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the heart is tested by the Lord," says the Old Testament (Book of Solomon's Stories XVII.3). Similar thoughts are also found in the New Testament: And to the angel of the Church in Laodicea, whose spirit is "neither cold nor hot", it is said: "I advise you to buy from me gold heated by fire, so that you may become rich;..." (Revelation III.18) .

Another meaning of silver is — a Gospel idiom, more precisely — a symbol of Truth. This is based on the verses of Psalm 11.7, and is also related to the smelting process: "The words of the Lord's words are pure, silver in the fire purified from the earth, melted seven times."