The creation of a new Stud Earring design in 2023 prompted me to write more about the metals and materials used in my jewellery.
It can be useful to know about metals if you have allergies or are buying for someone who does.
The most common source of skin allergies relating to metal is nickel which can be found in many metals; even sterling silver can still contain traces.
I’m regularly asked about metals at markets which has prompted me to consider a more deliberate approach to the metals I’m using.
Have a look at this video of the stud earrings, shown here in the blue and silver of the popular Ocean Collection.
The studs start with flat round discs which I paint. The silver discs are made of aluminium and the golds discs are made of raw brass.
Once the paint is dry, I use Art Resin to create a shine and bring out the colours; the resin takes 3 days to cure. After that I use a strong epoxy jewellery glue to add the earring posts.
The earring posts are made of silver and gold plated brass. Brass is made of copper and zinc. Neither aluminium nor brass contain nickel, making these less likely to cause skin irritation.
All earrings that need secured at the back have hypoallergenic clear rubber push backs.
Stud earrings are also available with earring posts made of sterling silver (or for gold studs, with gold filled earring posts) Read on for more information…
Types of Earring Hooks
Since learning more about metals I’ve decided to offer a choice of metals for the part of the earring that goes through the piercing (known as earring posts for studs and earring hooks or earring wires for dangle earrings).
Silver plated earrings now come with the option of silver plated or (for a small extra charge) sterling silver earring hooks. You can read more about sterling silver further on in the Blog.
Sterling silver earring hooks on the elegant earrings from the Ocean Collection
Gold plated earrings come with the option of gold plated or (again, for a small extra charge) gold filled earring hooks.
So what is “gold filled”?
Also known as rolled gold or bonded gold, gold filled means that
the gold coating is permanently bonded to the base metal (e.g. brass) of the earring hook
14 carat gold is used for the coating
the coating is thicker than a plated coating
Therefore gold filled is more durable than gold plate.
It’s helpful to have these options depending on personal choice or if the item is a special gift.
And, with plated earring hooks on dangle earrings, I’m happy to replace the hooks like for like, free of charge, if the need arises.
More on plated metals;
Lets take a look at pendants and chains…
Small pendant from the Forest Light Collection (this item is sold in shops)
All the plated pieces I paint onto are made of brass. The brass either has a silver or gold plating. Pendants come with chains that are made of:
sterling silver plated steel, and
22 carat gold plated steel
Sterling Silver
In 2022, I had two commissions which required Sterling Silver (read more on one of these in my Wedding Jewellery Blog). It had been thinking for a while to offer some sterling silver pieces as some people only want to wear this.
And so began some experimentation which has led to three main lines with sky and celestial themes; Dusky Sky, and Moon & Stars in deep purple and sparkly blue.
This has come with further learning about sterling silver. The pieces I paint onto are made of 925 sterling silver. So what does that mean?
Well, you’ll see a small stamp with 925 on the reverse of the painted side. This is the manufacturer’s guarantee that the piece is solid sterling silver.
Th 925 means that 92.5% of the piece is solid sterling silver. The rest will be made up of metal alloys; often including copper. Although copper doesn’t contain nickel, depending on the other metals used, there can be a trace of nickel in 925 sterling silver.
Recycled Sterling Silver
Another aspect to highlight is the increasingly availability of recycled sterling silver which I use wherever possible.
The Deep Purple Drop earrings below are painted onto discs that are made of recycled sterling silver are have a nice thickness.
The earring hooks are from a supplier that guarantees 99% of their stock is made from recycled sterling silver.
One really positive aspect about the supplier I use for sterling silver pendant chains is that they are made from 100% recycled sterling silver.
Caring for your jewellery
Last, but not least; an important point about jewellery is that regular polishing with a jewellery polishing cloth is recommended to keep it shiny. A Care Card is included with every jewellery purchase with advice on keeping your jewellery in good condition.
Polishing cloths can be found at your local jeweller or online and all Flow Creativity sterling silver jewellery and plated items from £35 upwards come with a complementary mini polishing cloth.
Thanks for reading!
Hope you’ve found this blog informative - please do get in touch if you have any questions :)