Our Materials
925 Sterling Silver
925 Sterling Silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metals. It excludes nickel and is compatible for those with sensitive skin.
To ensure the durability and strength of silver jewellery, it is generally mixed with other metals ensuring your favourite pieces last for a long time.
All 925 Sterling Silver come with a stamp, "925" or "S925" mark. Our pieces are coated with 14K and 18K gold to create a desirable finish, giving it lustre and shine, while increasing durability. Every order with Sterling Silver jewellery is packed with an anti-tarnish polishing cloth to help you upkeep shine on your pieces.
Solid Gold
Solid Gold jewellery is a term to describe various designations of karat gold. It often sold in Karats (K) and can be set in 9K, 14K, 18K, 22K and 24K gold. The higher the number, the higher content of gold. The purest form of gold is 24 karats but is too soft to create jewellery for daily wear. To strengthen the material, gold is mixed with other metals.
At Justine Jewellery, most of our fine jewellery is available in 9K (37.5% gold), 14K (58.5% gold) or 18K (75% gold). We curate our fine jewellery with everyday wear in mind.
Solid Gold it is costlier than Gold Vermeil or Gold Plated jewellery as it is more durable, valuable and is the least likely to cause skin allergies.
Moreover, Solid Gold Jewellery can be worn daily, is sweat and shower proof and can maintain its shine for a very long time with proper care.
Individuals with sensitive ears or skin should look towards purchasing 14K solid gold and above as jewellery below 14K solid gold may contain small traces of nickel.
We generally do not set jewellery in 22K or 24K solid gold as a higher gold content is 'softer' due to a lesser mix of metals, making it more prone to bends and scratches.
Gold Plating
Gold Plated & Gold Vermeil
Our demi-fine pieces are a mixture of 14 - 18K Gold Plated and Gold Vermeil (veh-may).
The key difference between Gold Vermeil and Gold-Plated jewellery is that Gold Vermeil can only be done on 925 Sterling Silver while Gold Plating can be done over base materials such as brass, steel or alloys.
Gold Vermeil is a significantly thicker layer (at least 2.5 microns or five times more gold plating) of gold over 925 Sterling Silver which gives it a longer lasting shine while Gold Plated jewellery. It is also more resistant to tarnish thanks to its thicker gold plating.
Gemstones
Moissanite
Known as gem from the stars, moissanite ("moy-suh-nite"), were first founded by French scientist Henri Moissan in 1893. His first sample of moissanite was found on the inside of a meteorite crater. Today, natural moissanite are extremely rare and since the 1990s, gem scientists have perfected the creation of these gemstones in a lab, making it a sustainable option for conscious collectors. Moissanite is a 9.25 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, making it the second hardest gemstone behind a diamond (10 on the Mohs scale).
The Moissanite we use in our jewellery are D-coloured, VVS clarity, giving them an unparalleled fire and brilliance. Thanks to its hardness, the gemstone does not dull or change colour over time, making it perfect for daily wear.
Moissanite is created with silicon and carbon, through a combination of pressure and heat. What makes them different from diamonds (made from 99.95% carbon) is its chemical make up and specific features. One way to spot this is to use a loupe to look through the top, or the crown of the stone. You will see two slightly blurred lines that indicates a double refraction, a quality of moissanite.
The most notable difference between moissanite and diamonds is the price. This can be attributed by several reasons,
- A naturally higher supply and demand for diamonds
- Diamonds are mostly natural rather than lab created (with the exceptions of lab created diamonds), this can vary hugely in price, value and quality.
- A diamond's price varies depending on its cut, clarity, carat and colour
Lab diamonds
Lab diamonds are just as real as mined diamonds from the earth. In our pieces, we generally use DEF VS clarity lab diamonds unless otherwise stated. Other clarities can also be requested. We opt for lab diamonds as it is a more sustainable option.
Both natural and lab grown diamonds have similar physical and chemical properties and generally come with diamond certifications.
The difference in lab and mined diamonds are not visible to the naked eye. The only way to tell is under a microscope where gemologists can spot tiny inclusions on the stones indicating how the diamond was being formed.
While the capital costs between lab and mined diamonds are similar, lab diamonds are more attainable in terms of pricing thanks to its shorter supply chain (which excludes mining). Moreover, there is a finite supply as gem scientists have perfected the creation of lab diamonds.
Nonetheless, we do offer the option of mined diamonds. If you're looking to curate a piece with mined diamonds, please reach out to us at hello@justinejewellery.com
Topaz
Topaz if often used in jewellery as it is available in a wide range of colours, is of good hardness (8 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale), making it ideal for everyday wear. We use lab topazes in our jewellery.
Other lab gemstones
We use a wide range of gemstones in our jewellery depending on the design requirements. We opt for lab created gemstones as these stones have a lesser carbon footprint.
Moreover as these gemstones are made in controlled environments in laboratories, this allows for consistent quality and colour in comparison to stones that can be found in nature.
Nonetheless, we do offer natural gemstones. If you're looking to curate a piece with natural gemstones, please reach out to us at hello@justinejewellery.com