There couldn’t be fine jewellery without metals. There are so many types of jewellery available, which can be very confusing and frustrating when you’re shopping. 

Woodie Pie offers jewellery made with plated, vermeil, stainless steel, sterling silver and gold 916. Our jewellery metals guide reviews the metals most commonly used today - plated, vermeil, silver, stainless steel, gold. 

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What is Plated jewellery? 

Plated jewellery has a thin layer of silver/gold/rose gold covering a base metal, commonly copper or brass. The layer of plated is very thin, so it will wear off with time and usage. It also more prone for tarnishing when exposed to any kinds of liquids (in air, sweat, lotion, perfume, etc) or chemicals. Plated jewellery is much cheaper than the other types of jewellery. It is good option for jewellery you need for just an occasion or trying out new trends.

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What is Sterling Silver? 

Sterling Silver or Silver 925 is a mixture of pure silver and a small amount of other metals, added to make pure silver more durable and less soft for jewellery making. More often, sterling silver has a purity of 925, meaning that it contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper plus other metals (usually copper, aluminum or zinc).

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What is Vermeil? 

Vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is heavy plating (2.5 microns by US standards) over sterling silver. It doesn’t tarnish and it is hypoallergenic, so people with metal allergies can wear it safely. Vermeil is perfect for the budget- conscious who are looking for a cheaper alternative to a solid gold piece without compromising on the look, weight and value of precious metals. (although over time, some gold/ rose gold may wear off) 

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What is Stainless Steel? 

Stainless steel contains at least 10% chromium and small amount of other metals such as nickel, carbon and etc. Stainless steel jewellery is strong, durable and rust- resistant. It typically has a silver sheen, but, unlike silver, it will not corrode and it is not susceptible to scratches, dings or dents. 

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What is Gold 916 (22K)? 

Gold 916 contains 91.67% gold, 8.33% other metal. Pure gold (24K) is to soft and malleable to wear in jewellery, therefore the gold must be alloyed with other metals to give it strength and durability. Gold is great to wear everyday, won’t tarnish or fade, and is hypoallergenic. It is very expensive and not affordable to many. 

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Choosing the right metal for you 

The best type of jewelry that’s suited for you depends on a number of factors - your budget, hoe often your wear your jewelry, whether you’ll able to take good care of it and so on.