Brass Jewellery - Understated | Subtle | Cool
Before we dive into the specifics of gold, let's talk about brass jewellery. More subtle in appearance than gold, yet with a unique appeal of its own, brass is a classic material used in jewellery making. An alloy of copper and zinc, brass can be dated back to the Neolithic age, long before gold was discovered by the Ancient Egyptians. Brass is flexible and malleable and can be shaped and formed into a variety of different styles and designs, making it a versatile option for jewellery making a great metal for handcrafting beautiful brass jewellery.
Brass Jewellery is also durable and low maintenance. While brass does tarnish, especially in humid environments, it can be easily cleaned and brought back to its original shine. Brass is also one of the most inexpensive metals used in jewellery making, which is why brass jewellery is comparably affordable. If the alloy is not mixed with nickel it is also hypoallergenic making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin.
Brass jewellery has a warm and earthy look to it and appears slightly darker than gold adding a touch of vintage to it. It looks great with all colours but especially amazing on black and all types of earthy colours.
Some of our beaded and brass jewellery made by Malawian artisans
How to clean your Brass Jewellery?
Brass is sensitive to the elements such as humidity and in order prevent your brass jewellery from tarnishing you may need to clean it occasionally.
In order to clean brass jewellery, mix equal parts white vinegar and baking soda to form a paste. Apply the paste to the brass jewellery and gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse the jewellery with warm water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Another option is to use lemon juice and salt, which can be mixed together to form a paste and applied to the brass jewellery in the same manner. Be sure to rinse and dry the jewellery thoroughly afterwards.
There are also commercial brass cleaners, which can be found at most hardware or home improvement stores. With each purchase of one of our beautiful brass jewellery pieces, you will get a brass cleaning wipe to keep your brass jewellery fresh and shiny!
Gold, gold-plated and gold vermeil - What are the differences?
There are three types of jewellery using gold in in the making - solid gold jewellery, gold plated jewellery and gold vermeil jewellery. Understanding the key differences is essential when choosing the type of metal for your next piece of jewellery.
Gold Jewellery - Expensive | Timeless | Lasting
Gold is a rare and valuable metal that has been admired for centuries for its beauty and rarity. Gold jewellery is made from a mixture of gold and other metals. Pure 24K gold is too soft for jewellery, so it's usually mixed with other metals to increase its strength, resistance and durability. The gold content is expressed in karats (K), which indicates the purity of the gold.
Gold is timeless and incredibly durable. Gold jewellery unearthed from Ancient Egypt or Rome looks pretty much just like the gold jewellery you can buy today, so the material itself will survive millennia. Due to it's rarity, durability and the gold standard, a monetary system in which the standard unit of currency is a fixed quantity of gold, it's one of the most precious metals to own.
The colour of gold jewellery can range from yellow, similar to brass jewellery, to white or even rose, depending on the type and amount of alloying metals used. For example, white gold is made by mixing gold with white metals such as nickel or palladium, while rose gold is made by adding copper to the alloy.
Gold jewellery is generally hypoallergenic, unless other non hypoallergenic metals, such as nickel, are used in the alloy.
The characteristics of gold plated and vermeil - The Key Differences
Gold plated and gold vermeil have subtle differences. From the thickness of the gold, to what type of base metal both materials use, we walk you through the pros and cons of each.
Gold plated refers to jewellery that consists of a thin layer of gold that is applied over the top of another affordable metal, such as copper or brass. The process of gold plating is done through putting the economical metal in a chemical solution that contains gold and then applying an electric current to the piece. The electric current attracts the gold to the base metal, where it reacts leaving a thin gold covering.
For a piece to be labelled 'gold plated' the layer of gold must be equal to or greater than 0.5 micron.
Gold vermeil is a higher quality material to use in jewellery making. The base material is always sterling silver, as the gold holds tightest to this. For a more sustainable version recycled silver makes an excellent base.
The second key difference is that whilst gold plated has a minimum thickness of 0.5 microns, vermeil has to be a thickness of at least 2.5 microns. When it comes to gold vermeil vs gold plated, gold vermeil is at a minimum 5 times thicker than gold plating, which makes it more durable.
In summary both gold vermeil and gold plated jewellery have their own unique advantages. For those wanting higher quality jewellery that can endure frequent wear for years to come, gold vermeil is the ideal choice. Whereas for those who switch up their style more often and usually take their jewellery off outdoors or while working out, gold plated jewellery may be a better choice due to its lower price point.
How to clean Gold Plated and Vermeil Jewellery?
Cleaning gold plated jewellery can be done using simple household items. You can simply wash them in soapy warm water and dry them with a soft, lint-free cloth. Remember to be gentle when cleaning your gold plated jewelry, as harsh chemicals or abrasive materials can damage the plating.
Which type of jewellery is the most sustainable?
Overall, the most sustainable jewellery material is one that is made using environmentally friendly practices, pays the jewellery makers and artisans a fair income, reduces waste and has a minimal impact on the planet.
Besides a variety of recyclable metals, other natural and biodegradable materials such as wood, seeds or shells can be used to create a variety of jewellery pieces.
Using recycled metals such as gold, silver, brass and copper reduces the need for mining and reduces the environmental impact of extracting new metals.
As an example, fair trade gold is sourced from small-scale artisanal miners who follow strict environmental and social standards, ensuring that the mining process is sustainable and the workers are treated fairly.
One of the many great organisations we work with are YEWO Malawi and social business designing and ethically handcrafting gold plated and brass jewellery in northern Malawi. Every YEWO purchase provides in-house skill training and consistent employment for people living in rural Malawi.
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