Material

Along with typical crafting materials like iron, Dragon Age features several exotic and mystical materials with which to make armor and weapons.

Materials are rated from Tier 1 to Tier 7. Higher level materials can do more damage, protect againt more damage, have have more special qualities. They also require higher levels of strength, dextarity, or magic to use, and higher tier materials can accept more runes.

Leather
Light armors and helmets are made from leather
 * Tier 1 - Rough Hide
 * Tier 2 - Cured Hide
 * Tier 3 - Leather
 * Tier 4 - Hardened Leather
 * Tier 5 - Reinforced Leather
 * Tier 6 - Inscribed Leather
 * Tier 7 - Drakescale Leather

Metals
Metals are used to craft axes, battleaxes, daggers, greatswords, longswords, maces, mauls, and staves. Medium, heavy, and massive armor is made from metal, as well as some shields.
 * Tier 1 - Iron
 * Tier 2 - Grey Iron
 * Tier 3 - Steel
 * Tier 4 - Veridium
 * Tier 5 - Red Steel
 * Tier 6 - Silverite
 * Tier 7 - '''Dragonbone

Woods
Woods are used to craft crossbows, longbows, and shortbows. Shields are also made from wood.
 * Tier 1 - Horn
 * Tier 2 - Ash
 * Tier 3 - Yew
 * Tier 4 - Whitewood
 * Tier 5 - Ironbark - a wood crafted by the Dalish. It is stronger than steel.
 * Tier 6 - Sylvanwood
 * Tier 7 - Dragonthorn

Resources
David Gaider

Georg Zoller

Dragon Age: Origins - PRIMA Official Strategy Guide