M
Materials
Annie Bennett jewellery is made from 100% recycled sterling silver and recycled 9 carat gold which is equal in quality to unrecycled precious metals. Every step of the process is ethical and sustainable so why not make ethical sourcing a key part of your jewellery making story knowing that all of Annie’s jewellery is eco-friendly.
9 carat Recycled Gold
9 carat gold is a precious metal that will not oxidise or discolour as obviously as sterling silver. It is commonly found in jewellery and is an alloy containing 37.5% pure gold, while the rest is made up of other metals. Typically, 9 carat gold is made up of 37.5% gold, 42.5% silver and 20% copper. Due to it being mixed with other metals , 9 carat gold is harder than pure gold, making it a popular choice for jewellery.
S
Sterling Silver
925 Sterling Silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and other metals, usually 7.5% copper which is very suitable to use in jewellery. The copper makes the silver harder, more durable and therefore much better to work with and use than fine silver, which is 99.9% pure silver. The copper added to sterling silver will cause it to turn black eventually (tarnish) especially in humid conditions. Fortunately, it is easy to clean and the the sterling silver underneath the tarnish will be in a great condition. Also, sterling silver will not rust with normal use.
D
Stones
Annie mainly uses cabochon gemstones in some of her designs. Cabochons are gemstones that have been shaped and polished, as opposed to faceted. The resulting form is usually a rounded obverse with a flat reverse which Annie sets in a bezel setting to add a touch of colour to some of her pieces.