I mostly use GOLD-FILLED and NICKEL-FREE sterling silver in my handmade jewelry, because it is important for me to give you the best. Sometimes, I use brass — silver- or gold-plated.
The bold advantage of gold-filled and silver is the fact, that you don’t need any special care to keep looking perfect, except basic cleaning.
1 STERLING SILVER
Most cases of an allergy to silver are allergy to nickel. (I have this sensitivity to nickel myself) So, I work only with NICKEL-FREE sterling silver
2 GOLD-FILLED, also called goldfilled, goldfill, or gold layered.
Gold-filled is a material consisting of layers of two metals. The outer layer is made of karat gold, the outer layer is typically copper alloy (that’s why it’s called gold-filled — an outer layer of gold filled with cheaper metals).
The layers are baked and pressed under high pressure, which is why the gold outer layer cannot separate from the inner one. The gold layer is up to 20 microns thick (for comparison: a typical gold plating is usually about 1 micron thick). Gold-filled has the following qualities:
– Item has an appearance of solid gold, but can be purchased at a reasonable price
-Item is hypoallergenic, because the outer layer, the one touching the body, is karat gold, in my pieces predominantly 14K
– Basic cleaning returns original beauty to an item exactly as in solid gold
Gold-filled is strong and durable because the outer layer of gold is thick. You can wear gold-filled jewelry for years and it will not lose its original luster and appeal.
The color of gold-filled matches the color of gold of corresponding karat weight.
Gold-filled is a hypoallergenic metal and most people have no allergy to gold-filled. However, I have met people with severe allergies (very rarely I have met people who are allergic to the metals making up the inner part of gold-filled jewelry (in those places where an item is cut and a small cross-section of the inner layer is exposed).
If you have a concern, please don’t hesitate to ask me. Regularly, a piece can be upgraded using a safer material with minimal influence to its appearance.
On necklaces — metal parts can be replaced with non-metal parts. On earrings — hooks can be upgraded to gold (requiring extra payment). Please get in touch with me and we’ll discuss the options and costs of replacement and/or upgrades.
The part of the details is GOLD PLATED BRASS. In part of my design I use other metals elements, that may not be suitable for people with allergies.
3. Wherever possible, I prefer gold-filled to gilding, but a part of the details in GOLD-PLATED BRASS. In parts of my design, I use other metal elements which may not be suitable for people with allergies
Brass and gilding are in the category of their own serve as an alternative to gold-filled in cast elements. (Gold-filled elements are always pressed due to the technological specifications of production). Most often I use gilding twice as thick as usual throughout the jewelry industry. It’s a heavy 24K plating, which provides durability for gilding that is comparable to the durability of gold-filled. The color of this gilding corresponds with the color of 24K gold (it’s somewhat brighter than the color of the commonly used 14K gold).
I use this best kind of plating for my handmade jewelry because I want to guarantee you long-term use.
My assortment also includes more economical pieces with regular gilding (gilded or silver-plated brass). Please note that elements with regular gold-plating are always less durable in use than gold-filled. Over a certain period of time, and depending on weather conditions, means of storage and your preference of perfume, gold-plated elements may lose a portion of its surface and become darker.
