From time to time we find that our customers approach us with a question about which jewelry materials they should buy. It is often the question whether it is worth sacrificing a few extra kroner on jewelry materials of e.g. steel or sterling silver rather than brass.

Have you had the same thoughts? - So let me tell you what we tell our other customers.

The price of the materials you buy is related to the quality of the piece of jewellery. This also means that the more expensive materials you buy, the more durable and resistant your jewelery will be. Shortly said.

"Buy more expensive, save the hassle"

When you invest in quality materials like steel or sterling silver, you get:

• Long-lasting durability: Jewelry that can withstand everyday wear and tear.
• Less maintenance: Materials that don’t become unattractive over time.
• Better allergy friendliness: Ideal for people with sensitive skin.

But cheaper materials like brass can also be a good start – especially with the right coating. Let's look at the three most popular materials.

Brass is a good choice for beginners or those who want to experiment with DIY jewelry. But brass has some limitations:

Durability challenges: Brass tends to lose its finish over time, especially if exposed to sweat, body oils, or cleaning agents.

Benefits of coating: If you choose brass with long-lasting gold plating, you get a more durable surface that lasts longer.

Perfect for earrings: Our ear hooks and hoop earrings in brass are designed to hold up well, as they are exposed to less wear than, for example, bracelets and necklaces.

But what does this mean for you as a jewelry maker?

Before we move on to the benefits of steel and sterling silver, it is important to understand how your skin type, daily use, and your choice of materials affect the durability of your jewelry.

We want you to be satisfied with your jewelry and have realistic expectations about the materials you choose. Therefore, it is important to know that:

• Skin type plays a role: Your skin type can affect the durability of materials. People with more acidic skin (pH) may experience that gold plating or coatings wear off faster.
• Daily use matters: Jewelry exposed to a lot of body contact, sweat, moisture, or perfume will typically have a shorter lifespan, especially if made of brass.
• Higher quality = longer lifespan: Materials like steel and sterling silver are more resistant to everyday effects and require less maintenance.

Our advice: If you want jewelry that lasts longer, we recommend investing in materials like steel or sterling silver. Also remember to take off your jewelry when washing hands, using perfume, or exercising.

Steel is a fantastic alternative for those who want more durability without the price getting out of control. Here are the advantages of steel:

• Resistant: Withstands water, moisture, and daily use without becoming ugly.
• Ideal for sensitive skin: Many experience fewer allergic reactions with steel.
• Long-lasting gold plating: The gold plating on steel is more solid than on brass, making it a popular choice among our customers.

Our experience: Many customers return and say that their steel materials have exceeded their expectations. That is why it is our most recommended material for daily use.

If you are looking for jewelry materials that last a lifetime, sterling silver is the answer. As a precious metal, sterling silver is both beautiful and extremely durable.

Advantages:

• Lifelong durability.
• Completely hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.
• Timeless design and easy to maintain.

Perfect for resale: Jewelers can benefit from the higher value when selling jewelry made of sterling silver.

Pro tip: Look for the "925" stamp to ensure the material is genuine sterling silver.

We understand that everyone has different needs and budgets. Therefore, we offer materials for every jeweler, from beginners to those who want jewelry that lasts a lifetime.

• Start with brass if you want to try your hand at DIY jewelry.
• Upgrade to steel if you want a durable and budget-friendly choice.
• Invest in sterling silver if you want jewelry of the highest quality.