Jewellery Material Guide
Which material is right for me?
Our jewellery is made with sterling silver, titanium or stainless steel base metals, plated with pure 14-18 karat gold, rhodium or platinum. This guide compares the materials you will find across our collections so you can choose with confidence, especially if you have sensitive ears. Every product listing indicates which metals a piece is made of.
At a glance
| Material | Sensitive ears | Tarnish resistance | Water exposure | Care | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium | Hypoallergenic | Tarnish resistant | Stands up to daily exposure to water | Low maintenance; hard metal that resists scratches and dents | ★ |
| Stainless steel | Hypoallergenic | Tarnish and rust resistant | Stands up to daily exposure to water | Low maintenance; hard metal that resists scratches and dents | ★ |
| Sterling silver | Might not always be suitable for people with nickel sensitivity | Highly tarnish resistant, but can tarnish over time | Safe to wear in the shower; avoid prolonged exposure to chemicals | Polish lightly with a jewellery cloth and store away from air when not worn | ★★ |
| Gold plating | Depends on the base metal; check each product listing | Plated finish should be looked after to prolong its lustre | Avoid prolonged exposure to sea water and highly chlorinated water, which can erode the plated layer | Remove when sleeping or when hands are in water, soaps or lotions | Varies by piece |
Prices vary widely within every collection, so the piece itself matters more than the material when it comes to price. Browse each collection below to compare.
Titanium
Titanium is hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant, so you should not experience a reaction to the metal or skin going green from wearing it. It is a very hard metal, making it more scratch and dent resistant than most other metals used for jewellery making, and it stands up to daily exposure to water while resisting rust and tarnishing. Gold plated titanium pieces should still be looked after correctly to prolong their lustre and finish.
Stainless steel
Like titanium, stainless steel is hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant, and it stands up to daily exposure to water. It is a very hard metal, so it resists scratches and dents better than most other jewellery metals. Gold plated stainless steel pieces should be looked after correctly to prolong their lustre and finish.
Sterling silver
Sterling silver is highly tarnish resistant, but it can be prone to tarnishing over time; this is a natural feature of silver. Items made from sterling silver might not always be suitable for people with nickel sensitivity, so please check each product listing. A light polish with a jewellery cloth and storage that prevents exposure to air will keep it shining while you are not wearing it. The more you wear silver, the less prone it is to tarnishing, because your skin forms a natural layer of oil on the metal that shields it against chemical reactions.
Gold plating
Gold plated pieces use sterling silver, titanium or stainless steel base metals plated with pure 14-18 karat gold. A plated finish should always be looked after correctly to prolong its lustre: avoid prolonged exposure to sea water and highly chlorinated water (jacuzzis, gym pools and similar), which can erode the plated layer over time. Removing plated jewellery when you sleep, or when doing work where your hands are in contact with water, soaps, lotions or soil, helps the finish last longer.
Frequently asked questions
Is "hypoallergenic" reliable?
We do not use reaction-prone metals and alloys such as brass or zinc in our jewellery. Titanium and stainless steel are both hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant, so you should not experience a reaction to the metal or skin going green from wearing them. Sterling silver pieces might not always be suitable for people with nickel sensitivity. Because every product listing indicates which metals a piece is made of, check the listing if you have a known sensitivity.
Titanium or sterling silver: which should I choose?
If sensitive ears are your main concern, titanium is hypoallergenic and very hard, so it resists scratches and dents and stands up to daily water exposure with little maintenance. Sterling silver is a fine jewellery metal that is highly tarnish resistant, but it can tarnish over time and might not always suit people with nickel sensitivity; it rewards a little care with a light polish and careful storage.
Can I wear my jewellery in water?
Our jewellery is safe to wear in the shower or at the gym, and titanium and stainless steel stand up to daily exposure to water. Avoid prolonged exposure to sea water and highly chlorinated water such as jacuzzis and gym pools, which can erode the gold plated layer over time.
How do I care for my jewellery?
Store your jewellery in the anti-tarnish pouch it is shipped in, or in a box, pouch or jewellery roll when you are not wearing it. Polish sterling silver lightly with a jewellery cloth, and remove plated pieces when you sleep or when your hands are in water, soaps or lotions. Your jewellery is strong but not indestructible: avoid pulling it or hitting it against hard objects, especially pieces with beads, pearls, elastic strings and finer link chains.
For full care instructions, see our Jewellery Care page.
