Understanding Your Tilly May Jewellery
I craft each piece with care, using materials chosen for their beauty, durability, and character. My goal is to create jewellery that feels timeless and personal, something you’ll love wearing every day. This guide is here to help you understand the finishes and materials I use.
What Is Plated Jewellery?
Plated jewellery refers to pieces made with a fine layer of gold or silver applied over a brass base. This technique gives each design the look and feel of solid precious metal, while keeping it thoughtfully priced and accessible. Brass is chosen for its warm undertone and ability to hold plating beautifully, helping the finish stay smooth and luminous.
The final colour and durability of each piece depend on the karat of gold used, shaping the richness of tone and the thickness of the plating, which affects how well it wears over time.
Plated jewellery is best suited to gentle, occasional wear. With a little care, it keeps its glow and offers a radiant finish that feels both elegant and approachable.
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Composition: A layer of 14K gold, 58.3% pure gold blended with strengthening metals over a brass base.
Colour Tone: Soft, slightly lighter gold with a gentle, understated sheen.
Durability: More resistant to wear and scratches than higher-karat plating, making it ideal for everyday elegance.
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Composition: A layer of 18K gold, 75% pure gold over a brass base, offering a richer gold content.
Colour Tone: Deeper, warmer gold with a luxurious glow.
Durability: Slightly softer and more prone to surface wear but retains a vibrant colour with proper care.
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Composition: A fine layer of silver applied over a brass base, mimicking the look of solid silver.
Colour Tone: Bright, crisp silver with a polished, cool-toned finish.
Durability: Less resistant to tarnish and wear than sterling silver; best suited for occasional wear.
What Is Stainless Steel Jewellery?
Stainless steel jewellery refers to pieces made from a strong, rust-resistant metal that’s known for its clean lines and lasting shine. It’s an alloy of iron, carbon, and chromium chosen for its ability to resist tarnish, hold its shape, and stay polished through everyday wear.
Unlike softer metals, stainless steel is incredibly resilient. It doesn’t easily scratch or fade, which makes it ideal for designs that are meant to be worn often. It’s also hypoallergenic, making it a comfortable choice for sensitive skin. Whether finished with a high polish or a soft matte texture, stainless steel offers a modern, versatile look that suits both minimal and statement styles.
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Composition: Solid stainless steel, an alloy of iron, carbon, and chromium for strength and corrosion resistance.
Colour Tone: Cool-toned silver or gunmetal with a polished finish.
Durability: Extremely durable, tarnish-resistant, and hypoallergenic, perfect for daily wear and active lifestyles.
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Composition: Stainless steel base with a gold-tone finish applied using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) a high-tech coating process that enhances both durability and colour depth.
Colour Tone: Bold, warm gold with a smooth, modern shine.
Durability: Highly resistant to fading, tarnish, and scratches, ideal for long-lasting wear.
Important Note on Jewellery Appearance
When purchasing gold or silver jewellery, please be aware that the appearance of colours, finishes, and details in photographs may differ from how they appear in person. Factors such as lighting conditions during photography, camera settings, and screen calibration can create subtle variations in colour or brightness.
I strive to ensure all images accurately represent my products. However, these variations are sometimes unavoidable. Please review the product descriptions thoroughly and reach out if you have specific questions about a piece.
As a policy, refunds or exchanges cannot be offered based on colour discrepancies or finish variations that result from photographic or technological influences. I appreciate your understanding and your trust in Tilly May’s commitment to quality and transparency.