Materials

GOLD PLATING

Plating is a surface coating in which a metal is deposited on the surface to protect it from corrosion and to give it a more lustrous attractive appearance. All of our gold plated jewelry is nickel free and made using 18Kt gold over brass.

The technique used for plating all BORN TO ROCK pieces is called the Galvanic method. The first step is to prepare the piece properly prior to galvanic deposition. All pieces are carefully polished in order to eliminate porosity and to avoid any imperfection or other plating defects that may affect its surface.
In the Galvanic process the gold is deposited over the jewelry into layers of various thickness, one of which is an anti-tarnish barrier, by using electrolysis. It protects the piece from the effects of corrosion and gives the jewelry a polished and shiny look.


WHAT IS RHODIUM PLATING AND WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?

Rhodium plating is a coating process done by expert jewelers where a thin layer of rhodium is applied to a piece of jewelry to add an elegant white finish, to increase its resistance against scrapes and scratches and to protect it from tarnish. Rhodium is a noble and expensive member of the platinum group of metals and can cost two times more than gold. It’s very durable and resistant to corrosion and oxidation. This noble metal is naturally nickel-free making its plating hypoallergenic. So if you have sensitive skin and experience allergic reactions to other metals, rhodium plating is a great option and alternative for you because it helps to prevent direct contact of the base metals with your skin. Rhodium plating is more scratch-resistant than other metals. When a layer of rhodium is applied on jewelry, besides bringing a shiny reflective white finish and an anti-tarnishing layer, it helps to maintain its shine for a longer period of time, and to extend the jewelry beauty. That’s why we love using rhodium plating on some of our pieces. We’re sure you’ll love this beautiful and noble precious metal as much as we do.


HOW LONG DOES RHODIUM PLATING LAST ON JEWELRY?

There are several different factors capable of defining the duration of the rhodium plating on jewelry. Overtime, the protective layer of rhodium can wear off, making the piece of jewelry look a little dull depending on how often you wear it and on the exposure conditions in which it is worn. Different body chemistries and specific oils can also affect how long it lasts and it may vary from person to person. The thickness used in our plating process substantially increases the chances of the plating to last longer, depending on the exposure conditions then other jewelry made with thinner layers.


STERLING SILVER

Sterling silver is an alloy containing at least 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal alloys to make it stronger. Copper is considered the favorite and most common alloy to make sterling silver jewelry. When combined with silver it does not affect its color or the value of the silver. Pure silver is too soft and easy to damage. For this reason, for use in jewelry, it is combined with other metals to increase its hardness and make it more resistant and durable.
All of our sterling silver pieces are plated with rhodium to give them a high-gloss finish and a more resistant and protective layer to help prevent them from tarnish and scratching. In addition, Born to Rock sterling silver pieces are stamped with the “925” hallmark to help you identify them.
Silver will likely never go out of style but will tarnish over time as it's exposed to natural elements in the air. That's why it's so important to regularly clean your pieces and correctly store them.

STAINLESS STEEL

This silvery shiny metal with a pronounced metallic finish is durable and resistant to scratches and corrosion. It has some chromium, generally around 10.5%, which is responsible for preventing rust from appearing. Stainless steel alloys may contain low quantities of nickel. If you have nickel sensitivity we advise you to use caution when wearing it. We offer other chain metal options on our chain collection page.


LABORATORY CREATED GEMSTONES

Lab-created or lab-grown gemstones have been manufactured since the late 1800s. They are made in a laboratory rather than occurring in nature and are as stable in color and composition as the natural untreated gemstone. Laboratory-grown gemstones have essentially the same optical, chemical, and physical properties of their natural counterparts and the same internal atomic structure. The most significant difference between a synthetic and natural gemstone is the place of origin and the inclusions or impurities that natural crystals may have, compared with the ones created in a lab under controlled conditions, which tend to be flawless.

 

GEMSTONES INCLUSIONS

Please note that most of the gemstones aren't internally completely "clean", as natural gemstones are expected to have inclusions. Inclusions are any sort of irregularity or foreign material trapped inside the crystal during its formation, like other minerals, water or gas.

Dye is often used to improves natural gemstone's appearance enhancing its color. Dyed gemstones may fade overtime with exposure to the ultraviolet in sunlight, heat and/or chemicals such as acetone and alcohol.