Metals

The fittings, chains and metal beads used to make my jewelry are made of either gold-plated or rhodium-plated brass, pure stainless steel or gold-plated or finely gold-plated stainless steel.
The accessories used (e.g., clasps, domes, rings, and pins) are high-quality and hypoallergenic. They come from trusted suppliers who comply with the European REACH standard (CE No. 1907/2006) regarding nickel, lead, and cadmium content. The materials used for each piece of jewelry are listed under "Product Details."

Gold-plated elements

My suppliers guarantee a coating thickness of approximately 3 micrometers.
The color and hardness of the plating depend on the purity of the gold, defined by its karat number, as well as the alloying elements used. Pure 24-karat gold plating has an intense yellow color but is relatively soft. To achieve greater abrasion resistance, I primarily use 14- and 18-karat gold plating with a gold content of 58% and 75%, respectively. 24-karat gold is occasionally used for jewelry pieces that are subject to little wear, such as pendants.
The purity levels of the metals used can be found in the product details of each piece of jewelry.
If the thickness of the gold layer is less than 2.5 micrometers, it is called “fine gold-plated jewelry.”
Gold-plated jewelry is hypoallergenic.
Depending on the application, different gold plating techniques are used, differing in structure, durability, and color effect. Each method has its own advantages and is carefully selected based on the specific piece of jewelry.

Galvanic gold plating

Classic galvanic gold plating is applied electrochemically. It is characterized by a particularly warm, authentic gold luster that closely resembles real gold. This method is ideal for intricate designs and fine details. As with all surface gold plating, wear can occur over time with heavy use. It is therefore important to follow the care instructions, especially if the product is subject to regular skin contact or exposure to sweat, friction, or seawater.

Gold-filled (mechanically rolled gold plating)

In the gold-filled process, a thick layer of gold, usually 14-karat gold, is bonded to a base metal such as brass under pressure. Gold-filled jewelry typically contains 5 percent of gold by weight. This results in a significantly thicker and denser gold layer. A 2-millimeter-diameter pearl can have a layer of up to 30 micrometers using the gold-filled process. This technique is particularly durable and well-suited for jewelry that is worn regularly.

PVD coating

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating is applied in a vacuum. It creates a very dense, adherent layer with high resistance to abrasion, moisture, and chemicals. This method is particularly suitable for jewelry that is worn regularly or comes into contact with water. However, the color effect of PVD differs significantly from traditional gold plating. The tone often appears darker and has a slight brownish hue. This is due, among other things, to the special pretreatment of the surface, which often uses a layer of titanium carbonitride to improve the adhesion of the gold.

The main differences between the three processes lie in the composition, layer thickness, and durability. All three techniques offer high-quality solutions, from the lustrous aesthetics of electroplated gold plating to the everyday practicality of gold-filled and PVD.

Rhodium-plated elements

Rhodium is a white precious metal from the platinum family. It has excellent oxidation resistance and, unlike silver, does not lose its luster over time. For this reason, silver or gold jewelry is often rhodium-plated to prevent color changes or to intensify the shine.
The rhodium plating is also electroplated. However, due to the hardness of the material, a layer of approximately 3 micrometers is sufficient to ensure reliable protection and a shiny surface. This thickness is guaranteed for all the chains, beads, and jewelry elements I use.
Rhodium plated jewelry is hypoallergenic.

Stainless steel elements

Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy containing chromium, carbon, and other elements such as nickel, silicon, titanium, and molybdenum. The formation of a thin, protective oxide layer makes it particularly corrosion-resistant.
Stainless steel jewelry can be worn in water without any problems and is relatively insensitive to the effects of sweat or cosmetic products.
Grade 316 stainless steel, also known as surgical steel, is particularly resistant to chlorides found in seawater and swimming pools. It is also considered very skin-friendly.
Although many types of stainless steel contain nickel, they release only very small amounts.

Elements made of brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is malleable, hypoallergenic, and has good mechanical properties. I use brass exclusively as a base material because, untreated, it is not corrosion-resistant and can develop verdigris over time, which discolors the skin.