Materials and Care Guide | Emily Proudfoot

Materials & Care

Find the perfect piece to suit your taste and lifestyle with our guide on stones, metals and jewellery care.

18k Yellow Gold Till Death ring with a Pink Tourmaline set band. 18k Yellow gold is one of the purest carats we offer which features a deep golden yellow colour.

Let's talk about Gold

Feeling overwhelmed with choice? Explore our helpful guide below where we talk about the differences in karats and benefits of this precious metal

Did you know 40% of the world's gold is about 3 billion years old? No wonder it's been coveted throughout history, featured in myths and ancient texts. The Incas called it "The Sweat of the Sun," and Pharaohs crafted gold funerary masks for the afterlife. Gold has long symbolised wealth, status, and divine gifts.

Centuries on, gold is still highly revered because:

Gold is an extremely easy metal to maintain, it's not susceptible to tarnish like silver.
As gold is expensive per gram, it retains it's value and often increases in value over time. Historically and in many cultures today, gold jewellery has been purchased as a form of insurance to fall back on in times of financial hardship and economic instability.
Due to it's high value, gold is often the choice for heirloom pieces of jewellery made to be passed on through the generations.

The higher the karat:

the higher the purity
the softer the metal
the richer the colour

9k Gold is the lowest purity we offer but that by no means makes it an inferior option. 9K is the strongest gold alloy we offer. This is because 9k Gold has been mixed with other alloys to make it more harderwearing, meaning it is less susceptible to scratches or damage. 9k gold has a pale buttery gold colour and is a fantastic choice for every day pieces, rings with thinner bands or daintier jewellery due to it's strength and durability. As 9k is considered the entry level gold, it has a more accessible price point for heavier pieces too.

14k Gold is what we would consider the middle ground - it's a solid option in terms of durability like 9k gold but the gold content is higher and therefore the colour leans more yellow. A great choice for occaision pieces, engagement and wedding rings.

18k Gold is where we begin to get into investment and heirloom jewellery territory. With its deep rich buttery gold colour, it's a favorite for legacy jewellery, engagement rings and wedding rings. Although 18k is very durable and can last centuries, due to being a softer alloy, this means it may be easier to scratch with daily wear and tear, so care should be taken with delicate pieces.

22k Gold is the highest karat we offer and has a dark gold colour. This is a great heirloom or investment gold as it retains it's value significantly. I would not recommend this alloy for thin delicate bands to be worn every day, it's ideal for occasion rings, thicker band rings, or pendants to ensure the piece retains it's shape. This is because the golds high purity means it becomes more malleable, putting it at risk of scratches or damage if care is not taken.

The Shades Of Gold

The higher the karat of gold, the deeper and richer the colour.

See our chart below to see how this varies between karat and gold colour.

The lower carat of 9k gold features a softer and lighter gold colour, whilst the 18k gold colour appears as a brighter more saturated yellow.

Yellow Gold

9k, 14k and 18k

White Gold

9k, 14k and 18k

Rose Gold

14k and 18k

White Metals

Silver and Platinum

Silver has a soft bright colour, whilst Platinum has a deeper more rich colour.

Platinum

Just like Gold, platinum is a great heirloom metal due to it's high value and rarity. Platinum is known as a white metal, it does not tarnish, making it an ideal investment alloy for people who prefer the colour of Silver. Unlike Silver and Gold alloys below 24k (which is the highest purity), Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal due to not being mixed with any other alloys. This makes it ideal for people with severe metal allergies.

Silver

A great investment metal due to it's durability, silver jewellery dated from 1000 BC can be found in museums around the world, still as beautiful and strong as the day they were first made!

925 Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Fine silver which is 99.9% pure silver, is very soft and is only used for small accent details on pieces. We prefer to work predominantly with 925 silver to increase a designs hardness and strength.

Due to 925 Silvers copper content, the metal can tarnish over time if not maintained. Some people also may experience 'green finger' or allergies due to the copper content. This does not been that the metal is impure or lower quality, it's simply a chemical reaction to the PH level of the skin. If you suffer from issues like this, we recommend Gold or Platinum.

Slowly we are switching to Argentium silver which is a relatively modern alloy, benefiting from the high purity and harness of 925 silver with a higher tarnish resistance due to not containing any copper.

Always store your jewellery in a protective dust bag or box. This will prevent oxygen reacting with the surface of the metal.

Although you can swim and bathe in your jewellery, generally it should be avoided to preserve the lustre of your jewellery. Never use harsh chemicals whilst wearing your jewellery as this will tarnish your metal and could damage delicate stones.

Silver is very easy to restore, all you need is:

dish soap and luke warm water
a soft tootbrush
a microfibre cloth or kitchen paper
Silvo solution

Follow our guide here

Brass

Brass has been used since the Neolithic period and is still a popular alloy for jewellery to this day due to it's similar appearance to 18k yellow gold.

Brass develops a natural dark brown patina over time, this is caused by oxygen reacting with the metal and causing oxidisation.

Never wear brass whilst using strong chemicals and refrain getting Brass wet as it will dull the metal.

Always store your brass away inside it's protective packaging to prolong it's lustre.

The best way to care for brass is by using a paper towel or microfibre cloth with Brasso, buffing the surface to restore it's shine and colour.

Gemstone Guide

Not all gemstones are created equal, each one has it's own special characteristics and rules on how to care and maintain them. Discover our guide so you can find the right stone for the occasion.

Garnet - January

Colour: You can get it in Raspberry Red, Deep Crimson, Orange and even Green!

Symbolism: Represents protection, strength, and friendship. Garnet is also associated with love and vitality.

Hardness: Hardwearing and Durable

Amethyst - February

Colour: Amethyst showcases a stunning violet-purple hue, ranging from soft pale pink-purple to deep, rich dark purple tones

Symbolism: Associated with peace, clarity, and protection. Historically believed to promote calmness and prevent intoxication.

Hardness: Hardwearing and Durable

Aquamarine - March

Colour: Light blue to bluish-green, reminiscent of the sea.

Symbolism: Represents tranquility, courage, and clarity.

Hardness: Hardwearing and Durable

Diamond - April

Colour: Typically clear or colorless, though they can also come in a variety of colors, including champagne, brown, pink, blue, and even black.

Symbolism: Represents strength, purity, and eternal love. Often associated with invincibility due to its exceptional hardness.

Hardness: The hardest natural material on Earth and highly durable for jewellery.

Emerald - May

Colour: A rich green hue, ranging from vibrant grass-green to deep forest-green. High-quality emeralds have an intense, vivid color.

Symbolism: Represents rebirth, fertility, and love. It is also associated with wisdom, growth, and good fortune.

Hardness: Durable however care required for rings as the natural inclusions in Emerald can make it prone to chipping.

Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite - June

Pearl Colour: Typically white or cream, but can also be found in shades of pink, gold, gray, and black.

Symbolism: Represents purity, elegance, and wisdom.

Hardness: Softer and requiring special care.

Moonstone Colour: Opalescent, with a soft, milky glow often exhibiting a shimmer called adularescence. Colors include white, gray, peach, and blue.

Symbolism: Associated with intuition, femininity, and balance.

Hardness: Moderately durable, avoid cleaning in ultrasonic cleaners or using near harsh chemicals.

Alexandrite Colour: A rare, color-changing gemstone that shifts from green in daylight to reddish-purple in incandescent light.

Symbolism: Represents luck, prosperity, and creativity.

Hardness: Hard and durable

Ruby - July

Colour: A rich red hue, ranging from pinkish-red to deep blood-red, with the most prized being a vibrant "pigeon blood" red.

Symbolism: Represents love, passion, courage, and vitality. Rubies have historically been associated with power and protection.

Hardness: Highly durable for everyday wear however avoid ultrasonic cleaners with stones that have heavy inclusions

Peridot - August

Colour: A vibrant green hue, ranging from yellow-green to olive green, with the most prized being a bright, lime green.

Symbolism: Represents strength, prosperity, and good health. It is believed to bring positive energy and ward off evil spirits.

Hardness: Durable but still susceptible to scratching by harder materials.

Sapphires - September

Colour: Traditionally deep blue, but sapphires also come in a variety of other colors, including pink, yellow, green, and even colorless (except for red, which is classified as ruby).

Symbolism: Represents wisdom, loyalty, nobility, and truth. Historically, sapphires have been believed to bring protection and good fortune.

Hardness: Mohs rating of 9, making it one of the hardest gemstones and highly durable for everyday wear.

Opal and Tourmaline - October

Opal colour: Known for its mesmerizing play-of-color, opals can display a rainbow of hues, with white, black, and fire opals being the most common varieties.

Symbolism: Represents hope, creativity, and passion. Its shifting colors are believed to inspire imagination and spontaneity.

Hardness: Delicate and requiring careful handling. Avoid wearing with harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners.

Tourmaline Colour: Comes in a wide range of colors, with pink and green being the most popular for October. Some stones even display multiple colors in one crystal, like watermelon tourmaline.

Symbolism: Associated with healing, protection, and balance.

Hardness: Hardwearing if taken care of.

Topaz and Citrine - November

Topaz Colour: Commonly golden yellow or amber, though it also comes in a variety of colors, including blue, pink, and colorless.

Symbolism: Represents love, affection, and strength. It is believed to bring clarity, warmth, and protection to the wearer.

Hardness: Hardwearing and durable

Citrine Colour: A warm yellow to orange hue, resembling sunlight.

Symbolism: Associated with prosperity, abundance, and energy. Often referred to as the "merchant's stone" for its believed ability to attract wealth.

Hardness: Durable enough for most jewellery but can be scratched by harder materials

Tanzanite and Zircon - December

Tanzanite Color: A striking blue to violet hue, sometimes with flashes of burgundy. Found only in Tanzania.

Symbolism: Associated with transformation, intuition, and spiritual awareness.

Hardness: Durable but prone to scratches if not taken care of

Zircon Color: Available in a variety of shades, but blue zircon is most popular for December.

Symbolism: Represents wisdom, wealth, and peace. Its brilliance rivals that of diamonds.

Hardness: Durable but prone to scratches if not taken care of

Find Your Combination

Looking for inspiration? Find your perfect colour combination of metal and stones with our easy comparison slider.

Want to clean your jewellery at home?

READ OUR HELPFUL CARE GUIDE

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Materials & Care

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