A Guide to Our Materials

Jewelry shopping shouldn't require a chemistry degree. Here's a plain-language guide to the materials we use, so you know exactly what you're buying and how to look after it.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is the brightest of all the precious metals - nothing else has quite the same shine. It's made from 92.5% pure silver (that's where "925" comes from, if you ever see it stamped on a piece).

The trade-off: sterling silver needs a bit more care than gold. It will tarnish over time with air exposure, so it needs to be cleaned and polished more regularly than gold-filled jewelry. The upside is that with that care, a sterling silver piece will last a lifetime. We include a polishing cloth at no extra cost with sterling silver pieces, so you're set up to keep it looking new.

Gold-Filled

Gold-filled jewelry isn't the same as gold-plated, and the difference matters. Gold-filled pieces contain roughly 100% more gold alloy than gold-plated ones, and that layer is mechanically bonded rather than just coated on. Because the gold layer is thicker, gold-filled jewelry resists wear and tarnish far better than plated pieces, and needs less maintenance day to day.

Bottom line: if you want the look of gold with lower upkeep than sterling silver, gold-filled is the middle ground between plated jewelry and solid gold.

Austrian Crystal

Austria has led the world in precision-cut crystal production for generations, and that craftsmanship shows up far beyond jewelry in fashion, architecture, lighting, and interior design. When we use Austrian crystal, we're using a material with a genuine reputation for precision cutting, not a generic glass substitute.

Natural Gemstones

A "natural gemstone" is exactly what it sounds like: formed by nature, with no human interference. If a stone is identified as natural, it hasn't been treated, enhanced, or artificially altered in any way. These stones are mined, cut, faceted, and polished — but what you're seeing is what the earth actually made, not a lab recreation or a chemically enhanced version of a lower-grade stone.

Fossils & Rocks & Fossils Collection

Pieces in our Rocks & Fossils collection are sourced from genuine fossil and mineral specimens many self-sourced, cut, and polished in-house. Each piece carries its own natural history; no two are identical.

Quick Comparison

Material Durability Maintenance Best For
Sterling Silver High (with care) Regular polishing needed Those who love silver's brightness and don't mind occasional upkeep
Gold-Filled High Low Gold look with less maintenance than silver
Austrian Crystal High Minimal Precision sparkle at accessible pricing
Natural Gemstones Varies by stone Varies by stone Anyone wanting an untreated, one-of-a-kind natural piece

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