Materials & Finishes
A Beginner's Guide to Jewellery Materials
Understand the materials behind imitation and fashion jewellery: base metals, plating and finishes, stones, pearls, beads and resin, with a simple guide to durability and care.
Materials & Finishes
Base metals, plating, stones, pearls, enamel and finishes: what they are and how they behave.
13 guides
Materials & Finishes
Brass, Copper, Zinc Alloy and Other Base Metals in Jewellery
Compare the base metals used in imitation jewellery, including brass, copper, zinc alloy, white metal and steel: properties, pros and cons, skin considerations and care.
Materials & Finishes
Stainless Steel Fashion Jewellery: Pros, Cons and Care
Learn why stainless steel is popular for fashion jewellery, what grades like 304 and 316L mean, its durability and skin considerations, PVD gold finishes and how to care for it.
Materials & Finishes
Gold-Plated Jewellery Explained: Thickness, Lifespan and Care
What gold-plated jewellery really is, how plating thickness affects wear, how it compares with gold-filled, vermeil and gold-tone, and how to make gold plating last longer.
Materials & Finishes
Silver-Plated and Rhodium-Plated Jewellery: What to Know
Learn the difference between silver-plated, rhodium-plated, sterling silver and silver-tone jewellery, why silver plating tarnishes, and how to care for white-metal finishes.
Materials & Finishes
Rose-Gold Finishes: What Gives Jewellery Its Pink Glow
Learn how rose-gold colour is created in fine and fashion jewellery, how rose-gold plating wears, which outfits and skin tones it suits, and how to care for it.
Materials & Finishes
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) Explained: The "American Diamond" Guide
What cubic zirconia is, how it compares with diamonds and glass, how CZ quality is judged, why it may cloud over time, and how to keep CZ jewellery sparkling.
Materials & Finishes
Glass and Crystal Stones in Jewellery: A Complete Guide
Understand glass and crystal stones in fashion jewellery: moulded glass, cut crystal, rhinestones, foil-backed and kundan-style stones, how to judge quality and how to protect them.
Materials & Finishes
Artificial Pearls Explained: Types, Quality and Care
Learn how artificial pearls are made, how they differ from natural and cultured pearls, how to judge coating quality, styling ideas and how to keep pearl jewellery lustrous.
Materials & Finishes
Beads, Shells and Resin in Jewellery: Materials Guide
Explore beads, shells, resin, acrylic, wood, clay and fabric in fashion jewellery: their looks, strengths, weaknesses and care, plus tips for choosing lightweight statement pieces.
Materials & Finishes
Enamel and Meenakari Finishes: Fired vs Cold Enamel
Understand enamel finishes in jewellery: fired (vitreous) enamel, cold enamel, epoxy and lacquer, how they look and wear, how to identify them and how to care for each.
Materials & Finishes
Lacquer and Oxidised Finishes: How They Protect and Style Jewellery
Learn what protective lacquer and oxidised finishes are, how they affect durability and appearance, how to recognise them, and how to care for each without damaging it.
Materials & Finishes
How Plating and Jewellery Finishes Work
An accessible explanation of jewellery electroplating, flash plating, PVD coatings, underlayers, lacquer and quality factors, plus why plating wears and what affects its lifespan.