Our Metals

Silver has been used to make jewellery for centuries. It is durable yet easy to work with, meaning that we can achieve our signature texture and detail. Alex Monroe silver jewellery is made from 925 sterling silver, meaning that 925 of 1000 parts are pure Silver, with the remaining 75 parts often being made up of copper and zinc.

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!

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.

Our 18ct Yellow Gold contains 750 of 1000 parts gold, meaning it has a very high purity. The remaining 250 parts are known as an alloy and are a mix of silver, copper and zinc, which are used to balance the 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.

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.

Talking about recycled gold in terms of sustainability can be misleading, as like all precious metals, gold always has, and always will be reused - as it is such a valuable commodity. However, most of the 18ct Gold we use in our fine jewellery collections consists of a minimum of 70% recycled metal, and for balance - we also offer selected styles in certified Fairmined Gold.

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.

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.

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, alongside silver and zinc for strength.

The subtle warmth of 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, and it is often favoured by those with an ‘English Rose’ skin tone. Setting coloured gemstones into Rose Gold can achieve wonderfully playful results, and mixing Gold colours across your jewellery is a great way to inject personality.

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.

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 it's 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.

All Platinum is 95% pure, but the remaining 5% of alloy metals will vary in composition. The Platinum we use either has a mix of iridium, palladium and ruthenium making up the remaining 5% the incredible purity of this metal makes it hypoallergenic and ideal for anyone with very sensitive skin.

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.