Our Material Promise
Every piece we sell has a core of solid 925 sterling silver, finished in 18K gold plating. Never brass. Never zinc alloy. Never gold-coloured coating over a base metal that will show through.
This is a simple promise, and it is the one that matters most — because it is the one you cannot verify from a photograph.
Why It Matters
Most jewelry sold in this price range is brass or zinc with a few microns of gold-coloured finish. New, it is convincing. But the plating wears first at the points that rub — the underside of a ring, the back of a clasp, the inside of a bangle — and once it does, the base metal shows. Brass goes green against skin. Zinc alloys often carry nickel, which is the single most common cause of contact allergy in jewelry.
Sterling silver behaves the other way round. The plating still wears — all plating does — but what sits underneath is a precious metal. A worn piece can be cleaned and replated rather than discarded.
What "925 Sterling Silver" Means Here
- 92.5% pure silver, alloyed with copper for strength — the international standard for sterling.
- Solid throughout — the silver is the body of the piece, not a coating over something cheaper.
- Nickel-free — suitable for most people with sensitive skin and pierced ears.
What "18K Gold Plated" Means Here
A layer of 18K gold bonded to the silver core. It gives the warm tone of yellow or rose gold at a fraction of the cost of solid gold. Plating is a finish, not a permanent state: with daily wear it softens over months to years depending on skin chemistry, contact and care.
Caring for It
- Put jewelry on last — after perfume, lotion, hairspray and sunscreen.
- Take it off before showering, swimming, exercising and sleeping. Chlorine and salt water are the fastest way to strip plating.
- Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing. Skin oils and sweat are mildly acidic.
- Store pieces separately — in the pouch or box they arrived in — so they do not scratch each other.
- Do not use silver dip or abrasive polish on plated pieces. It removes the gold layer.
Tarnish
Sterling silver tarnishes. It is a reaction with sulphur in air, not a defect and not a sign of poor quality — solid silver from any maker does it. Unplated silver pieces can be brought back with a silver cloth. Gold-plated pieces should be wiped with a dry soft cloth only.