Metals, finishes & plating

Every product lists its base metal, surface finish, plating and stone separately. Manufacturer-direct: each design is made in Brass, German Silver or Copper, in a unplated metal or silver-plated finish, unless a product states otherwise.

Brass

Brass is a base-metal alloy. It is not silver or gold.

Typical composition: Copper–zinc alloy (record actual composition per batch)
Nickel: Unknown — testing required. Some brass alloys may contain trace nickel or lead; compliance testing required for intended markets.

Finishes produced: Unplated Brass · Polished Brass · Antique Brass · Silver-Plated Brass

German Silver (Nickel Silver)

German Silver (Nickel Silver) is a base-metal alloy of copper, nickel and zinc. It contains no silver and is NOT sterling or 925 silver.

Typical composition: Copper–nickel–zinc alloy (record actual composition)
Nickel: Contains nickel. German Silver / Nickel Silver contains nickel by definition. Nickel-release testing (e.g. EU REACH Annex XVII limits) required for skin-contact and pierced items before sale in regulated markets.

Finishes produced: Unplated German Silver Alloy · Polished German Silver · Antique German Silver Finish · Silver-Plated German Silver

Copper

Copper may tarnish or temporarily discolor skin; disclose care instructions.

Typical composition: Copper (record purity if known)
Nickel: Unknown — testing required. Nickel content not established; test before any nickel-related claim.

Finishes produced: Unplated Copper · Polished Copper · Oxidized Copper · Antique Copper · Silver-Plated Copper

Plated base metal (not specified)

Ready-to-ship pieces with a silver-plated finish. The underlying base metal has not been specified or tested, so we make no composition or nickel claim.

Typical composition:
Nickel: Unknown — testing required.

Finishes produced: Silver-plated

Silver plating

Every design is offered in a unplated metal finish or silver-plated over the base metal. The plating thickness has not yet been independently verified, so we don't quote a thickness. A thickness will only be published once a verification method (e.g. XRF or cross-section testing) and a supporting document are recorded for the batch.

Silver plating is a thin surface layer over brass, copper or German silver. It is not sterling silver, and like any plating it can wear with use.

We never describe products as nickel-free or hypoallergenic without reliable test evidence.