Materials

Throughout history platinum has tended to be more expensive than gold and is generally considered to be the most valuable metal of the two. This has changed in the past decade however, with gold typically higher per ounce vs platinum.

Culturally, there is a hierarchy amongst the precious metals which roughly translates into their material value. At the top of this tree sits platinum, the shiny white metal which is recognised globally as an even higher symbol of quality and value than gold. Anyone who has walked into a jewellery shop will be aware of the difference in price between platinum and gold jewellery and in the music industry the title ‘platinum’ is given to an album that has been sold more than 1 million times.

Platinum has its reputation for a number of reasons - there is less platinum in the Earth’s crust and it is also more difficult to extract. 

Platinum jewelry is very rare; in fact, 30 times more so than gold. Our platinum is 95% pure (5% iridium, palladium, ruthenium, and other alloys), and its purity makes it naturally hypoallergenic, ideal for those with sensitive skin issues

Platinum is durable. Its density is . Because platinum is a naturally white metal, re-plating is unnecessary; it will always hold its beauty. 

 Rhodium is the rarest of the 6 platinum group metals and only occur in up to one part per 200 million in the Earth's crust, Why is that? Well, because it is very rare in nature, it is only found as a by-product of mining for other metals, such as platinum. This, unfortunately, affects the price of rhodium making it very volatile as its availability is connected to platinum supply and demand.

As we’ve said, the price of rhodium has huge ups and downs. Sometimes it can rise to ten times the price of gold – usually when platinum is not mined as much because of a drop in demand. Other times, rhodium prices drop much closer to the price of gold or platinum. Because of the complexity of the situation, rhodium is not the most stable of investments. Another reason why it’s not used for much more than plating is that, when pure, it is brittle and not very malleable.

While rhodium is both too expensive and too brittle to make jewellery out of, it makes an excellent plating material. It is often used to lend a higher sheen to silver or white gold pieces. Being harder than both silver and gold, it also makes an excellent protective coat that shields jewellery from scratches.

Sterling silver is a white metal and does not need rhodium plating to acquire its color. However, sterling silver is prone to tarnish over time, which is caused by the exposure to sulfur in the air, and forms a dark silver sulfide on the surface. Since rhodium does not tarnish, it is often plated over silver in order to preserve the silvery-white look and prevent it from darkening over time. As the plating wears off, the white of the silver will come through, but will not be noticeable like gold. Those exposed sections may acquire some tarnish but this can easily be polished at home.

Because rhodium plating is hypoallergenic, you won’t get skin reactions by wearing rhodium, which is perfect for people who struggle with reactions with earrings. However, it is best to note that while rhodium itself will not cause any rashes, white gold often contains nickel in its alloys. As the plating wears off, you may well be exposed to nickel allergies as your skin comes into contact with the original base.

When it comes to affordable everyday luxury in your jewelery, lab made stones are our first choice. With their intense brilliance and unbeatable price-performance ratio, they are the ideal choice for price-conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on beauty.

What are the differences between natural and lab-Created stones?
The main difference between lab-created gemstones and natural gemstones is how they are made. Lab-created gemstones are made in a controlled environment using advanced technology. This allows for more consistent quality and color than what can be found in nature. Natural gemstones are created by nature over millions of years, subject to imperfections caused by the earth’s formation processes. In addition, the ethical concerns associated with diamond mining cannot be overlooked, as many diamonds come from conflict zones where human rights violations are commonplace.

Lab-created stones may also be referred to as “synthetic,” “artificial,” “man-made,” or “lab-grown”; however, these stones are just as genuine in their characteristics as mined ones.
During the creation process, mineral crystals that make up natural gemstones are synthesized, resulting in a stone that can have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as its natural counterpart.

Durability:
On the 10-point Mohs Hardness Scale — the industry standard test used to grade a gemstone’s hardness or durability —our stone ranks 8 to 8.5, which means it incredibly close to a real diamond. Diamonds, by comparison, score a perfect 10 on the Mohs Scale.

Lab-created stones are often made of stronger materials and have a higher resistance to wear and tear. Natural gemstones can be more fragile and may be susceptible to damage, depending on the stone.

The colorless synthetic stone developed for Sober steps in as a fine replacement for the diamond with shine and hardness. When crafted in classic cuts it is hardly distinguishable from diamonds. While lab made stones are significantly lower in price than diamonds, it is to be noted that they do not have the resale value of the latter either. 

What are they made of?
A synthetic material that is created by melting zirconiumoxide-powder with stabilizers such as calcium, magnesium and many more. As it cools, its crystals form and stabilize, creating a product that can be cut and polished to mimic natural diamonds. Please note our stone is not chemically the same as a lab grown diamond. Sober lab stones do not contain carbon, which is one of the primary chemical properties of a real diamond.

Options: Prefer lab made diamonds? Please email us for information on custom pieces. Currently we do not offer mined diamonds.

Sterling silver is the most common alloy mix found in jewelry. It must be at least 92.5% pure silver, but the other 7.5% can be any metal. Typically, this alloy is copper. Centuries of experimentation have shown copper to be silver’s best companion, without affecting its beautiful color. Often abbreviated as 925, sterling silver is a high-quality alloy that makes stunning jewelry for all occasions. 

What’s The Best Way To Care For Sterling Silver Jewellery from?

With proper care, your fine-quality sterling silver jewelry will last a lifetime. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your silver jewelry in either a cloth pouch or a separate compartment in your jewelry box. Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals, like bleach and ammonia or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage sterling silver. 

Clean Your Silver Jewelry Regularly

Care should also be taken to prevent silver tarnish buildup, a dulling that naturally occurs when silver reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the ambient air. To clean your silver, use a soft cloth with a polish formulated specifically to remove tarnish. You can find fine silver polishes, solutions, or cloths appropriate to remove tarnish at hardware stores or specialty craft stores. Tarnish is most easily removed when it first becomes visible, although wearing your silver jewelry often is the best way to prevent tarnish from building up. Regular cleanings of all your silver items will prevent tarnish and keep your silver bright and sparkly.

Does sterling silver tarnish?

Yes, 925 sterling silver can tarnish when it’s exposed to certain chemicals, high humidity, or sulfur. You may notice that sterling silver jewelry left in the open air on top of a dresser, in a jewelry storage box, or even in its own pouch turns a different color over time. Typically, silver will form a layer of dark coloring across the surface as it tarnishes. This layer of tarnish is a sulfide coating that can be easily removed with a quick pass using a jewelry polishing cloth. For heavily tarnished pieces, jewelers can assist with polishing silver back to its original shine. 

Titanium is a unique and strong metal with incredible value for jewelry.  With a solid foundation in the engineering and aerospace industries, titanium has a proven track record as an enduring metal. Our titanium is 100% nickel free. Titanium resists corrosion, rust, scratching, and bending. Jewelry made of titanium can be worn daily. It is a durable, lightweight and hypoallergenic metal for all types of designs. It is most commonly seen in rings or chains.

Titanium Buying Tips

As one of the more hypoallergenic jewelry types, titanium is a popular choice. When buying titanium jewelry, make sure you’re choosing the right size. It is a very sturdy metal and this sturdiness makes it difficult to resize. Ensure you are choosing the right size before making your purchase. 

To prevent your gold-plated jewellery from tarnishing, there are a few steps you can take to keep the lustre of your pieces intact.

1. Apply perfumes and moisturisers well before adding your jewellery

As tempting as it may be to spritz your perfume before you walk out the door, in reality, it can be damaging your gold-plated jewellery. Moisturisers are a main culprit too, as the chemicals within these products can contribute to tarnishing or the rubbing off of the gold plating. Instead, apply your perfumes and moisturisers well before you add your jewellery, allowing them to sink in fully.

2. Remove jewellery before bed

You might be getting your beauty sleep, but your gold-plated jewellery pieces certainly won’t be. Any tossing and turning will cause friction and potential damage to your pieces, as well as some pesky tangles!

3. Avoid wearing whilst showering, swimming or exercising

It’s best to avoid contact with water and sweat when wearing gold-plated jewellery as this can cause them to tarnish or the gold-plated coating to thin. To keep wearing your gold-plated pieces for years to come, remove them when showering, swimming or exercising.

4. Keep jewellery away from any harsh chemicals

Exposure to harsh chemicals affects the shine of your gold-plated pieces, so take care to remove your jewellery when carrying out any household cleaning.

5. Store your pieces in a cool, dry place

It’s important to keep your gold-plated jewellery in a safe place, away from any moisture. A jewellery box is a perfect place to store your favourite pieces to protect them from any damage.

There will be a time when you need to clean your gold-plated jewellery, especially if you wear them every day. With a light hand, carefully use a jewellery polishing cloth, specifically designed for cleaning gold, to clean your pieces and bring back their dazzling properties. Just be careful not to rub too hard to avoid removing the gold plating. 

Although it’s advised to keep gold-plated jewellery away from water, for gold-plated pieces that are tarnished, you can gently rub them with a soft cloth and a small amount of mild soap and water to clean them. Make sure to thoroughly dry your pieces before wearing them again. For pieces that are heavily tarnished or the gold plating has rubbed off to reveal the base metal underneath, you need professional help from a jeweller to get your pieces re-plated.

-Remove jewellery when participating physical activities, e.g. cleaning/gardening. 

-Avoid direct contact with perfume, body lotions, hair sprays or other chemicals

-Remove your jewellery before going to bed

-Jewellery should be stored away seperately in an air-tight jewellery box

Much like with solid gold pieces, gold-plated jewellery can tarnish over time if not properly cared for. Tarnishing is a process in which the gold reacts to air and moisture, causing it to oxidise and appear darkened. You may find that pieces start to lose their shine and appear dull over time due to a buildup of dust and dirt, as well as the natural oils on our skin, perfumes and moisturisers reacting with the gold plating and causing them to tarnish. 

Unlike other softer materials, it can withstand most daily activities without sustaining corrosion and scratches. Plus, stainless steel jewelry doesn’t tarnish so it looks good even with minimal maintenance.

It's also excellent for those who are allergic to certain metals or prefer to avoid silver and gold.

An alloy of carbon and iron, stainless steel is made up of at least 10.5% chromium and at most 1.2% carbon. This is combined with other alloys like nickel and titanium for durability and other advantageous properties.

Apart from its durability and low maintenance, stainless steel is a great material for jewelry because it can have a variety of finishes, including brushed, engraved, matte, and glossy. It’s also oftentimes used in interior design, street fixtures, and kitchen tools.

IT DOESN'T RUST

Stainless steel jewelry won’t rust as long as the protective layer of chromium on it is maintained. It also doesn't oxidize like bronze or brass so it won’t change color over time.

IT DOESN'T GET SCRATCHED EASILY

Stainless steel jewelry doesn’t get scratched or damaged easily like other metals. It also doesn't need to be polished or buffed as often as silver, gold, and platinum.

IT IS HYPOALLERGENIC

Being hypoallergenic means that it is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. It doesn't affect the body or cause any adverse effects on the skin.

IT IS RECYCLABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Stainless steel jewelry is infinitely recyclable with an almost 100% recovery rate. If it comes in contact with other elements, it remains environmentally inert and neutral without absorbing compounds that could alter its composition.

Because of this, stainless steel jewelry is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make more sustainable choices.

STAINLESS STEEL IS COMPLETELY SAFE

Stainless steel is also biocompatible, so stainless steel has no biological or chemical effects on the body.  It doesn't leach into your blood, cause any adverse effects, and won't interfere with any medications or medical procedures.

PRONE TO DENTS

This type of jewelry is particularly durable but it isn’t completely invulnerable. It can still get dented over time, especially if it comes in contact with heavy and sharp objects or abrasive surfaces.

How to Clean Your Stainless Steel Jewellery

Stainless steel isn’t likely to get scratched, corrode, or tarnish but it may become dull after some time. If you want your jewelry to maintain its new look, you should care for it properly. Here's how you can do it:

METHOD 1: SOAP AND WATER

Soap and water are excellent for removing debris and excess oils. Avoid oversaturating the jewelry in water because this will ruin it.

1. Place your stainless steel jewelry in a large bowl with warm water. Add three drops of mild soap.
2. With a soft and non-abrasive cloth, gently scrub your jewelry, following the grain and with gentle strokes.
3. To get rid of any excess dirt or grime, use a soft-bristled brush (like an old toothbrush).
4. Rinse off dirt and soap with clean water and dry your jewelry with a soft cloth.

PRO TIP: DON’T USE TOOTHPASTE, PAPER TOWELS, AND POLISHING CLOTHS. THESE CAN LEAVE MARKS AND DAMAGE THE OTHER METALS OR STONES IN YOUR JEWELRY.

METHOD 2: MICROFIBER CLOTH

Soap and water can leave behind marks on stainless steel jewelry if you don't rinse it properly. To clean your jewelry quickly, a microfiber cloth and some elbow grease go a long way.

• With a soft microfiber cloth, gently rub your jewelry along the grain to get rid of debris and dust.
• For more stubborn dirt, use a damp cloth for more cleaning power.

Although stainless steel is difficult to scratch, you should rub the microfiber cloth in the direction of its grain to avoid agitating small particles that could cause micro-abrasions to your jewelry.

Tips for Maintaining Your Stainless Steel Jewellery

Even though stainless steel is a durable material for jewelry, you should still take care of it properly if you want to keep it looking shiny and new for years to come. Here are some tips on how to care for your stainless steel jewelry:

• Try to clean your stainless steel jewelry about once a month or often if it gets dirty. Cleaning it and maintaining it often will help it last a long time.
• Keep your pieces away from chemicals like bleach and detergents. Regular exposure to them can cause discoloration
• Store your pieces in separate compartments so they don’t rub against each other during storage. This will protect them from scratches and other damage caused by abrasion and impact.