Metal References
Silver/Gold/Rose Gold Plated etc
Plated metal is commonly used in fashion costume jewellery. A very fine layer of silver or another precious metal (measure in microns) is bonded onto a base metal, usually brass, copper, or zinc through a process called plating. Due to the thinness of the layer of the plated metal, over time and with excess use this layer may eventually wear away. All our plated metal findings production is compliant with EU REACH regulations where required and certified by a program of scheduled batch testing products with the assay office. This ensures compliance with the following: - EU Regulation No 1907/2006 concerning Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulates the use of nickel, lead and cadmium in jewellery products. - Entry 27 of Annex XVII of REACH concerns the EU Nickel Directive and requires compliance with British Standard BS EN 1811:2011+A1:2015.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver (or STS) is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by mass of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925. Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing functional objects; therefore, the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give it strength but preserving the ductility and beauty of the precious metal. Over the years, some countries developed systems of hallmarking silver. The purpose of hallmark application is used to indicate the purity of the silver alloy used in the manufacture or hand-crafting of the piece. UK hallmarking is required where a finished piece weighs over 7.78 grams, under this weight items will not be hallmarked but may have a 925 stamp, where the item can be stamped without compromising the product.
Gold/Rose Gold Plated Sterling Silver Vermeil
Gold Plated Sterling Silver Vermeil, is a term used to refer to jewellery or other items made of sterling silver and plated with a layer of gold. The word “vermeil” comes from French and is pronounced “ver-may.” The main difference between vermeil and gold-plated/gold-filled jewellery is that vermeil items have a base made of sterling silver, whereas plated and filled pieces can be made with a variety of metals. We endeavour to supply 1 micron thickness across our vermeil products to provide an extra durable plating, sometimes this is not possible and such items maybe denoted as 'flash gold' a flash plating is a thin layer which is susceptible to wearing quickly. Please refer to the UK assay office/Hallmarking Council for the regulations applying to Gold Plated Sterling Silver/Vermeil in the UK.
Silver Filled
Silver filled consists of a thick layer of .925 sterling silver that is bonded to a base metal core usually brass. It is a great low-cost alternative to sterling silver.
Gold Filled
Gold-filled jewellery, also known as "rolled gold" or "rolled gold plate" is composed of a solid layer of gold bonded with heat and pressure to a base metal such as brass. The classification of weight may be noted for example as 1/20 14K meaning Gold filled with 1/20th of 14 karat gold, which is 5% 14 karat gold by weight with a solid brass inner core.
9ct Gold
Gold is a dense, soft, shiny metal and the most malleable and ductile metal known. Pure gold has a bright yellow colour and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Because of the softness of pure (24k) gold, it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewellery, altering its hardness and ductility, melting point, colour and other properties. Alloys with lower caratage, typically 22k, 18k, 14k or 10k, contain higher percentages of copper, or other base metals or silver or palladium in the alloy.
Pewter
Pewter is a malleable metal alloy, traditionally 85–99% tin, with the remainder consisting of copper, antimony, bismuth and lead. Copper and antimony act as hardeners while lead is common in the lower grades of pewter, which have a bluish tint.
Copper
Copper is an elemental metal that is reddish-orange in colour. Copper is a very reactive metal,and it will darken and gain a patina over time sometimes with a greenish tint. Copper can also discolour skin, most commonly if it is worn close like a ring or tight-fitted bracelet. Copper is a soft metal and may bend easier than copper-plated findings. Unplated copper is usually called bare copper or raw copper.
