Integral to the design and making process of each and every piece of Alex Monroe is the choice of materials that we use. We partner with only carefully selected partners to ensure that the materials we are using are of the highest standards. For our silver pieces, we use recycled solid 925 Sterling Silver, and our gold-plated jewellery uses 22ct gold exclusively from Fairmined accredited mines. Our Fine Jewellery collections are meticulously handcrafted from 18ct solid yellow, white, and rose gold, with select styles also available in platinum.
Three silver beetle castings on a jewellers bench peg ready to be finished and put on a necklace chain.
Sterling Silver

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!

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Large statement gold plated necklace being held above a jewellers bench.
22ct 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.

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Miner holding a gold nugget in front of a metal furnace.

Certified Fairmined Gold

Since 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.

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.

Learn More About Fairmined Gold
Fine chain bee drop earrings made from solid 18ct yellow gold.
18ct Yellow Gold

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.

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Solid 18ct white gold bee and leaf motif necklace and earrings.
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.

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Stack of three 18ct rose gold rings on a light grey stone with foliage behind..
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, 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.

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Three platinum rings arranged on a white glossy stone slab.
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 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.

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Bumblebee brass bottle stopper in a clear white glass bottle with green foliage and pink and purple flowers.
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.

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A small selection of wine-red, uncut sapphires held in the palm of a hand.

Gemstones

We use a beautiful array of precious and semi-precious gemstones to enhance our designs with sparkle and colour, with sapphires being one of our favourites.

We make a conscious effort to ensure that any stones we purchase are responsibly sourced, so work very closely with our main supplier Wennick Lefevre - who use responsible mining techniques, alongside paying fairly for both stones and wages. Their positive impact is furthered by planting a tree for every stone sold, to help combat deforestation caused by irresponsible practices.

Find out about the Gemstones we use

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