materials

MATERIALS

All LOLiDE rings are made from 100% recycled metal. Learn more about my commitment to ecologically produced jewelry here

There’s a lot to choose from. Below is a brief overview of the various metal characteristics and how they differ. If you have further questions, just get in touch: [email protected]

Most rings (though not all) can be made in any of the materials below. If you don’t see the metal you want listed for your choice of ring, please let me know and I’ll do my best to make it happen.

STERLIUM PLUS: This is a superior sterling silver alloy that has improved tarnish resistance so maintains a white color longer than regular sterling (much like argentium silver) All sterling silver is 92.5% silver with other metals added to give strength and other characteristics. However, this alloy is still sterling silver which is the softest of the precious metals and should not be confused with the harder, more durable metals such as 950 palladium, white gold or platinum, all of which have varying degrees of superior strength, durability and tarnish resistance than silver. Sterling silver does not contain nickel.

950 PALLADUIM: 95% palladium, a strong durable metal comparable to white gold. Palladium is greyer and cooler in tone that white gold. It is virtually hypo - allergenic (though only platinum is considered truly hypo-allergenic) and does not tarnish. Palladium prices have quadrupled in recent years, making it one of the most expensive alloys for jewelry.

PD5: While I love palladium, due to skyrocketing prices, for some PD5 is a more moderately priced alternative while still maintaining a lot of what makes 950 palladium great. PD5 is approximately 50% palladium with most of the rest of the alloy being made up of silver. Somewhat surprisingly, this actually makes the alloy a darker grey. PD5 is not as hard as 950 palladium or white gold but is far superior to sterling silver in strength and does not tarnish. It’s also a great way to add more intense color contrast to mixed metals rings like my fusion or gold stripe rings. The drawback is that PD5 is difficult to resize and most likely cannot be resized locally as most jewelers are not familiar with it.

WHITE GOLD: There are many options with white gold. White gold is a bit of a misnomer as all gold is yellow. It is made to look white by alloying it with various white metals such as nickel or palladium. “Regular” or “nickel” 10K, 14K and 18K white is made with nickel which some people, though not many, have a reaction to. I also offer palladium white gold is a nickel-free white gold option. White gold is greyer and darker than silver but lighter than 950 palladium. It also has a warmer tone to it. White gold will become more “yellow” as it ages. White gold is a very hard, durable metal as well, and the different karats refer to purity. 10K is approx.. 41%, 14K is approx. 58% gold, 18K is 75% gold, etc. The karats also have a factor in how the metal performs. Therefore, not all karats are offered in all designs. ***Please note that most white gold you may see in large jewelry stores is rhodium plated. I do not plate my gold. My items can be plated locally, however, if desired.

PALLADIUM WHITE GOLD: Palladium white gold uses palladium alloyed with the gold to create a “whiter” look. Palladium white gold is less yellow that nickel white but warmer and a bit lighter than 950 palladium. Palladium white gold tarnishes much less over time than regular nickel white, but it not as hard. Palladium white is offered in 18K or 14K as a special order. It’s a great choice for those who want gold but have a known nickel allergy, want an alloy that is warmer than palladium, or want a lower maintenance white gold.

YELLOW AND ROSE GOLD: Most people are more familiar with these alloys. They mainly differ just in color. Higher karats are a little softer but also richer and deeper in color, so 18K rose or yellow gold has a richer, deeper hue than 14K and 14K more than 10K, etc. Rose gold is also referred to as red or pink gold. In this case, copper is added to give its characteristic hue. Karat percentages are the same as for white gold.

PLATNIUM: This is the densest and at one time was the most valuable of the metals. Rhodium plated white gold was created in order to mimic platinum. Like palladium, it is 95% pure. It has a slightly whiter finish than white gold or palladium, is hypo-allergenic, and very durable and scratch resistant. Platinum does not tarnish and holds up extremely well over time with little maintenance. It's density is a large part of why it is more expensive as metals are sold by weight.