A Guide to Precious Metals
At Alex Monroe we use 925 Sterling Silver in the majority of our jewellery, and this will usually have the option of being plated with Fairmined Gold.
We use the term ‘Fine Jewellery’ to refer to pieces we make from solid, precious metals such as 18ct Yellow, White and Rose Gold, and occasionally Platinum.
Fairmined Gold
From September 2021 every new piece of Gold-plated Alex Monroe jewellery made, is done so with licensed Fairmined Gold. This global, accredited standard means that the Gold used in the plating of our collections has been exclusively sourced from responsibly managed community mines - and can be traced accordingly.
Created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining, Fairmined is an assurance label that certifies Gold from responsible, artisanal and small-scale mining organisations. The mining of Gold can traditionally be a very poverty-driven and destructive industry, so for us, using Fairmined is a proactive way of both empowering social development and supporting better environmental practices.
Fairmined Gold
Gold-Plated Silver
We love the warmth of Gold, but it is a very expensive metal, so we have always offered Gold-Plated versions of our Silver pieces as a more affordable option. Although Gold-Plate is not measured in carats as solid Gold is, we refer to our Yellow Gold Plated pieces as 22ct - to reflect the rich colour used to bring out the detail of our pieces.
We also offer certain styles from our collection in Rose Gold-Plate, which lends a slightly nostalgic or antique feel. Gold-Plating is measured in Microns, and our plating is a thickness of 2 Microns as standard.
Silver
Silver has been used to make jewellery for centuries, as it is durable yet easy to work with, meaning that we can achieve our signature texture and detail. Our ‘main’ Alex Monroe collections are made in 925 sterling silver, meaning that 925 of 1000 parts are pure Silver, with the remaining 75 parts often being made up of copper. In terms of sustainability, Silver always has, and always will be reused and recycled, and the Silver we use to make our pieces is 100% recycled.
We do not Hallmark our Silver pieces unless they weigh above the legally required weight. Although we have every respect for the important tradition of Hallmarking - it is an additional process and expense that we would rather not have to pass on to our customers. Silver polishes to a wonderful shine, but does naturally tarnish - please see our Care Guide for tips on keeping your pieces looking their best!
18ct Yellow Gold
Pure Gold is naturally a very rich yellow, but the colour of 18ct Gold is subtle enough to happily suit every skin tone, and highlight the intricate details and textures of our designs - making it a very popular choice.
All 18ct Gold contains 750 of 1000 parts gold, meaning it has a very high purity. The remaining 250 parts are a mix of alloy metals, to balance or achieve a certain colour, and to toughen up the metal. The high purity of 18ct Gold means that it is a wonderful metal to work with, allowing us to create such delicate designs - whilst the composition of the metal ensures our pieces remain strong and durable. All Alex Monroe Fine Jewellery will carry a British hallmark - often discretely achieved by laser, so as not to interrupt the delicate flow of our designs.
In terms of sustainability, Gold always has, and always will be reused and recycled as it is such a precious metal. The 18ct Gold we use to make our pieces consists of a minimum of 70% recycled metal.
18ct White Gold
18ct White Gold, contains 750 of 1000 parts gold, and the remaining 250 parts are a mix of alloy metals such as palladium and silver carefully balanced to achieve a more silvery-white hue - although the colour will never be as 'bright' as these metals. Because of this, many jewellers choose to plate over their white gold with rhodium to achieve a brighter finish. We do not plate our solid gold jewellery, which is why Alex Monroe 18ct white gold pieces may appear a little darker than other white gold you may have seen. We prefer to respect the natural colour of the metal and retain its signature warmth. All Alex Monroe Fine Jewellery will carry a British hallmark - often discretely achieved by laser, so as not to interrupt the delicate flow of our designs.
In terms of sustainability, Gold always has, and always will be reused and recycled as it is such a precious metal. The 18ct Gold we use to make our pieces consists of a minimum of 70% recycled metal.
18ct Rose Gold
18ct Rose Gold also contains 750 of 1000 parts gold and among the remaining 250 parts you will find copper working its magic to achieve a distinct soft pink hue, and its subtle warmth means that it is often favoured by those with an ‘English Rose’ skin tone. Rose Gold first became popular in the Victorian era, which is perhaps why it has such a wonderfully nostalgic feel, especially when paired with bright white diamonds. Setting coloured gemstones into Rose Gold can achieve gorgeously playful results, and mixing Gold colours across your jewellery is a great way to reflect your personality - perhaps a rose gold engagement ring paired with a White Gold wedding band? All Alex Monroe Fine Jewellery will carry a British hallmark - often discretely achieved by laser, so as not to interrupt the delicate flow of our designs.
In terms of sustainability, Gold always has, and always will be reused and recycled as it is such a precious metal. The 18ct Gold we use to make our pieces consists of a minimum of 70% recycled metal.
Platinum
Platinum is an extremely hard-wearing metal and a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands which generally receive constant wear. It has a more 'steel-y' appearance than 18ct White Gold, but its naturally bright white colour makes it perfect when paired with sparkly diamonds! The density of platinum means that it is heavier than 18ct Gold, and its strength means that it will often be used to build ‘mounts’ - the intricate constructions which precious gemstones will then be set into. Platinum is 95% pure, with iridium, palladium and ruthenium making up the remaining 5% This incredible purity makes it hypoallergenic and ideal for anyone with very sensitive skin. All Alex Monroe Fine Jewellery will carry a British hallmark - often discretely achieved by laser, so as not to interrupt the delicate flow of our designs.
Brass
Whilst we do not use Brass in our Jewellery, it is the perfect metal for our homeware! Durability, resistance to corrosion and its warm, gold-like colour means that Brass has long been a popular choice for decorative, but functional items around the home. Our hooks, handles and knobs are all made especially for Alex Monroe in Devon, England and the Brass is sourced largely from reclaimed scrap metal from manufacturing and construction industries.
