Materials & allergy information

The materials I use for MALT Jewellery, from the jewellery itself to the packaging, is carefully and consciously chosen according to MALT's ethical policy:

Recycled gold and silver
Ethically produced (in terms of labour practices)
Recycled or FSC-certified card and paper that's recyclable and biodegradable
Locally made packaging with zero plastic*

Read on below for a full list of the materials used.

METAL ALLERGY INFORMATION

Everyone should be able to wear jewellery they love and I take pride in making my jewellery as accessible as possible. Most of time, when someone is allergic to jewellery, it's because of a nickel allergy, or sometimes another metal used to make sterling silver. All of the silver and gold I use is REACH-compliant nickel-free.

In addition, I only use Argentium silver ear wires/posts and earring backs as it has a higher pure silver content and is hypoallergenic. Customers who have been unable to wear sterling silver earrings due to allergic reactions have had success with Argentium silver earrings. Read below for detailed information on Argentium silver.

I also only use Argentium silver for piercing jewellery, as it has superior tarnish-resistance than sterling silver. For information on wearing silver in piercings, see my blog here.

In rare cases, some people can be allergic to pure silver itself, in which case I am happy to apply 18ct gold ear posts/wires to ensure they won't cause a reaction. The additional cost of the 18ct gold is usually around £60 for studs (including 18ct butterfly backs) and £65 for drop earrings. Please contact me here to request this.

MATERIALS INFORMATION

RECYCLED STERLING SILVER

For ethical reasons, I use 100% recycled sterling silver in all of my jewellery. Recycled silver is the same quality as freshly mined silver.

Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, including copper, which make the alloy harder and more durable. Pure silver is typically too soft to be used in jewellery.

Through the process of oxidation, silver tarnishes over time. In the first stages of tarnishing, the silver takes on a slightly yellow hue. More advanced tarnishing involves the metal turning dull and dark.

The best way to prevent jewellery from tarnishing is to wear it regularly! The friction of skin and clothing rubbing against jewellery will keep it bright and tarnish-free! All MALT jewellery also comes with a silver polishing cloth, and regular use will help keep your jewellery from tarnishing.

By law in the UK, any single silver item weighing more than 7.78 g must be hallmarked. For more information on hallmarking, see here.

ARGENTIUM SILVER

Argentium silver is a relatively new silver alloy with a higher pure silver content than sterling silver (94% or 96%). Recycled silver is alloyed with germanium, a byproduct of zinc ore processing, to create a silver alloy that is brighter and more tarnish-resistant than traditional sterling silver.

I use Argentium for all ear posts and wire, earring backs and piercing jewellery, because it is antibacterial, hypoallergenic (people who have been allergic to silver in the past can often wear Argentium silver without any problems) and resistant to tarnishing, making it safer for use in piercings.

Refining Argentium silver also requires fewer chemicals than sterling silver, so it is kinder on the environment.

RECYCLED 9CT AND 18CT GOLD

For ethical reasons, I use 100% recycled 9ct or 18ct gold in all of my jewellery. Recycled gold is the same quality as freshly mined silver.

9ct gold is made up of 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% other metals, including copper, silver and zinc, which make the alloy harder and more durable. 9ct is a pale yellow colour.

18ct gold is composed of 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. The higher gold content makes 18ct softer than 9ct gold, but also gives it a brighter yellow hue. 18ct gold, due to its lower ratio of non-gold content, is hypoallergic and therefore an excellent option for those with metal sensitivities and for use in piercings. You can request 18ct gold ear posts/wires and back on any pair of gold or silver earrings from MALT.

Pure (24ct) gold does not tarnish, but the other base metals added to gold alloys do. This means 9ct gold is the most prone to tarnishing (turning dark through a process called oxidation), and 18ct is more tarnish-resistant.

The best way to prevent jewellery from tarnishing is to wear it regularly! The friction of skin and clothing rubbing against jewellery will keep it bright and tarnish-free! All MALT jewellery also comes with a polishing cloth, and regular use will help keep your jewellery from tarnishing.

By law in the UK, any single silver item weighing more than 1 g must be hallmarked. For more information on hallmarking, see here.

PART-RECYCLED BRASS

Brass is a metal alloy composed of copper and zinc. It has a bright yellow colour, very similar to gold. Brass isn't a precious metal, but it is beautiful and has a rich history. It has been used to make jewellery for millennia, with surviving pieces dating from as far back as Ancient Egypt.

The brass I usually use is part-recycled. I use brass as an accent only; no brass will ever come into contact with your ears as it may not be suitable for those with metal sensitivities.

Brass tarnishes (turns dull and dark) through a process of oxidation. The best way to prevent jewellery from tarnishing is to wear it regularly! The friction of skin and clothing rubbing against jewellery will keep it bright and tarnish-free! All MALT jewellery also comes with a polishing cloth, and regular use will help keep your jewellery from tarnishing.

PACKAGING

All the packaging, gift wrap and stationery I use is proudly plastic* and acid-free. It is all either recycled, part-recycled or FSC-certified as well as being biodegradable and recyclable. Everything is locally sourced where possible.

MALT's jewellery boxes are made in the UK from card and include a recycled jewellery card and hand-stitched cotton pouch.

My stationery is either printed by me at home or by a local independent company with strong environmental principles.

GET IN TOUCH

If you have any questions or suggestions about any of the topics mentioned here – or anything else – please contact me. I'd love to hear from you!