Comparing Precious Metals

We work in all precious metals and titanium. Each metal has a different colour and, in most cases, different properties. With a few exceptions, our designs can be made in any metal. When choosing your metal the two main things to think about are durability and colour. You can compare the precious metals we use side by side below to help you choose the right metal for your jewellery. 

Sandcast Precious Metals

Our sandcast collection can be made in silver and any carat of gold. When sandcast, gold takes on a more natural tone and feel due to the texture imparted by the beach sand. This shows up best when the piece has our signature matte finish. An antique polish finish makes the colour differences more subtle and gives the rings a lovely shine. 

Matte finish

Antique polish

 

Refined Precious Metals

Our Wood, Rock and Planished collections are made from refined silver, gold, palladium, platinum or titanium. This is the same as most jewellery you will have seen and can also have a matte or antique polished finish.

Matte Finish

Antique polished finish

Finishes

Don't worry too much about which finish you pick; once the piece has been worn for a while either the matte or the polished finishes will change, and after a year or so, the pieces will settle into their own finish that suits your lifestyle. We provide a polishing cloth and scouring pad with your jewellery, which you can use to easily change the finish.

Strength

From the strongest to weakest:

Titanium, platinum/palladium, 18ct/14ct white gold, 22ct gold, 18ct rose/yellow gold, 9ct golds, silver.

Titanium is by far the strongest metal we use. As such we highly recommend it for wood rings because it provides the wood inlay the most protection. Unfortunately we can’t sandcast titanium.

Palladium and platinum are about the same strength. Closely followed by 18ct and 14ct white gold, which both contain palladium. All other carats and colours of gold are on a similar par, and we recommend basing your decision on colour preference and your budget.

Silver is the softest precious metal, as such we don’t recommend it for jewellery intended to be worn everyday and forever (like wedding rings). It will inevitably wear down over time and eventually need to be replaced. This is most relevant to rings under 5mm wide. Wider rings made from silver will stand the test of time much better. As will items that are less likely to come into contact with hard surfaces, such as studs, cufflinks and pendants.

As a rule of thumb, jewellers advise matching the metal of rings worn together. This is because the harder metal will likely wear the softer metal down over time. It does depend on the design of your rings though. If you do like the idea of contrasting colours, do get in touch and we would be happy to advise you.

Colour

As you can see in the pictures above, different metals are different colours. We have a journal post that goes into details of the different colours and carats of gold here.

Allergies

None of our gold contains nickle. All of our work is hallmarked to prove its purity before we send it out, so you can be sure of the quality of the metal. Even so, occasionally some people with very sensitive skin need a non-reactive metal for their piece in order to wear it full time without a reaction. More commonly these reactions occur when in contact with metals like nickel or brass, but sometimes even silver can set off the most sensitive skin. In these cases we recommend a high carat of gold or palladium or platinum as these metals are very pure. Titanium is an inexpensive option that is extremely good for wearing against sensitive skin.

Temporary discolouration which appears when you first begin wearing the piece is likely caused by small amounts of polishing material residue and will fade within one week and has no lasting effect. Alternatively, the varying levels of acidity in our skin and the natural oils we produce can interact with the metal and cause small amounts of discolouration to begin with, but this is very rare and will quickly fade as you wear the piece in.