Materials

Materials

We use 999 fine silver — the same metal Miao silversmiths 
have hand-forged for centuries. It is softer, warmer, and 
purer than the sterling silver most jewellery is made from.

This page explains what that means, and why we chose it.

────────────────────

999 FINE SILVER

Silver purity is measured in parts per thousand.

▪ 999 fine silver     99.9% pure (the silver we use)
▪ 950 silver          95.0% pure (rare in jewellery)
▪ 925 sterling silver 92.5% pure (industry standard)

The 0.1% in fine silver is trace minerals from the smelting 
process. Sterling silver, by contrast, contains 7.5% copper 
or other alloyed metals.

Both are real silver. But they wear, look, and age differently.

────────────────────

WHY WE CHOSE 999 FINE SILVER

Three reasons:

1. It is the traditional choice.
   Miao silversmiths have worked with fine silver for over a 
   thousand years. The metal is soft enough to be drawn into 
   thread thinner than hair — a foundation of Miao filigree.

2. It is gentler on skin.
   Fine silver contains no nickel and minimal alloying metals. 
   It is well tolerated by people with sensitive ears.

3. It is brighter and warmer.
   Fine silver has a softer, more luminous finish than sterling. 
   To us, it feels less industrial.

────────────────────

WHAT TO KNOW

Fine silver is softer than sterling, which means:

▪ It is slightly easier to scratch
▪ It can bend with significant force
▪ It is best for pieces worn carefully — earrings, pendants, 
  occasion pieces

For high-friction pieces (rings, bracelets worn daily), some 
of our work uses 925 sterling silver for added structural 
strength. This is noted on the product page.

Either way: no plating, no filler. What you see is what you wear, 
throughout.

────────────────────

EAR POSTS

The body of our earrings is 999 fine silver.
The ear posts (the part that goes through your ear) are 925 
sterling silver.

This is intentional. Sterling is stronger and holds its shape 
better in daily wear. Both are hypoallergenic and nickel-free.

────────────────────

OTHER MATERIALS

We occasionally work with:

▪ Indigo-dyed cotton thread (in select tassel pieces)
   Hand-dyed in Guizhou using traditional plant indigo. The 
   colour deepens with age.

▪ Natural pearls (in pearl collection pieces)
   Freshwater pearls, untreated, sourced from Zhejiang Province.

▪ Hand-woven silk cord (in adjustable necklaces)
   Mulberry silk, dyed with natural pigments.

When we use these materials, they're always sourced from 
small workshops in China, never synthetic substitutes.

────────────────────

WHAT WE DON'T USE

✗ Silver plating
✗ Nickel
✗ Resin or epoxy fillers
✗ Synthetic stones
✗ Glued components
✗ Industrial mass-production

Every piece is solid metal, hand-joined, hand-finished.

────────────────────

HOW WE SOURCE OUR SILVER

Our silver is sourced through our silversmith partners in 
Guizhou, who buy fine silver bars from licensed Chinese 
refineries.

The metal is melted, drawn, and shaped in their workshops — 
exactly as it has been for generations.

────────────────────

CARE & AGING

All silver darkens slightly over time. Fine silver tends to 
develop a softer, warmer patina than sterling.

To restore the original brightness, polish gently with a 
soft cloth. To embrace the aging, simply wear and enjoy.

See our Care Guide for details.

────────────────────

QUESTIONS

If you want to know more about how a specific piece is made, 
or what materials are used, write to us:

hello@atelierazuree.com