Materials Guide

The diamonds and metals we work with.

Honest materials, fully certified. Here's what each option means in practice - and when we'd recommend it.

Diamonds

Natural Diamonds

Mined and certified by GIA. We source responsibly and provide full provenance documentation on every stone.

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Chemically and visually identical to natural diamonds, certified by IGI. A growing choice for clients prioritising sustainability or scale per pound.

Silver

Sterling Silver

92.5% silver. Bright, light, and a useful starting point for first commissions and our ready-to-wear range.

Gold Karats

9K Gold

37.5% pure gold. Hardest of the karats and the most affordable. A practical choice for chains and bands that take daily wear.

14K Gold

58.5% pure gold. The most common choice in the UK for fine jewellery - a balance of colour, durability and value.

18K Gold

75% pure gold. Richer colour, softer feel. The standard for most of our bespoke commissions and all diamond settings.

Gold Colours

Yellow Gold

Pure gold alloyed with silver and copper for warmth and durability. The classic choice for signets and heritage pieces.

White Gold

Alloyed with palladium and finished with rhodium plating. A bright white finish ideal for diamond settings.

Rose Gold

Alloyed with a higher proportion of copper for a warm pink hue. Distinctive and increasingly requested.

Plating & Finishes

Gold Plated

A base metal finished with a layer of gold. Used for budget-conscious pieces and selected ready-to-wear styles - not recommended as a lifetime bespoke material.

Rhodium Plating

A bright white finish applied over white gold and silver to enhance reflectivity. Refreshed every few years to maintain the finish.

Black Rhodium

A blackened rhodium plate used for contrast settings and shadowed detail work. Typically applied as accent rather than full coverage.

Platinum

Platinum

Naturally white, denser than gold, and hypoallergenic. The standard for engagement rings where the setting must last generations.

Begin a Commission

Not sure which material is right for your piece?

Private, no obligation. In person at our London workshop, or by video call.

Talk to the Workshop