EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT
OUR PRECIOUS METALS
At ŌKAN STUDIO, we like to create beauty that lasts by working with the most ethical materials possible. If the term "Vermeil" means nothing to you, this article is for you!
Solid SILVER / SILVER 925
A recyclable and reinforced alloy
You will find on all our sculptures to wear in Sterling Silver carry the hallmark "Ag925". Because pure silver is a malleable and ductile precious metal, it is reinforced with an alloy of stronger metals.
Sterling silver, also called 925 silver, is therefore made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals such as copper or zinc. This technique makes it more resistant and less sensitive to scratches.
To protect your jewel from premature oxidation, we also cover all our pieces with a thick layer of pure silver.
The workshop is supplied with silver granules from the reprocessing of jewelry waste. All metals used are traced and sourced with certification.
Gold and Silver are two hypoallergenic metals: they pose no risk to the skin.
the vermeil
The Roll's Royce of gold-plated jewellery.
Vermeil does not correspond to a color but to a particular alloy: a 925 Silver core covered with a thick 18-carat gold plating at least 5 microns thick. Impossible to be wrong: all our Vermeil pieces bear the hallmarks: "Ag925" and "V".
The pieces to be gilded (in yellow or pink gold) are immersed in a bath through which a direct electric current passes. The gold suspended in the solution will settle on the negatively charged object to create a thick layer of metal. 10 minutes = 1 micron of gold. So to make vermeil pieces, 50 minutes minimum are necessary.
GOLDEN BRASS
Brass is also one of our metals of choice: composed of copper and zinc - in varying proportions - it is both malleable, resistant & hypoallergenic.
Once the pieces have been meticulously melted, polished & engraved by the workshop, they are then immersed for at least 30 minutes in a bath of yellow gold or pink gold so that they are covered with a layer of 18-carat gold (yellow or pink) of 3 microns minimum.
They thus bear the title of Gold (or Silver) plated pieces according to French legislation.
All of our jewelry should be treated (with love and) with care. Discover all our practical advice below!
