Gradient Alloy

Source: Taken and slightly edited from Ink Monkey Bones #4 on Eric Minton's blog.

Gradient alloys are a category of alloy defined by structure rather than substance. An object made from a gradient alloy shifts smoothly from one material at one end of the object to another material at the other end. For instance, a rod of Jade-Orichalcum gradient alloy is composed of pure Jade at one end, shading steadily through a mixed state toward pure Orichalcum at the other end.

Gradient alloys are most prevalent in advanced magitech infrastructure such as Factory Cathedrals, and throughout Autocthtonia, and are also used in more portable magitech & Alchemical Charms.