All of our rings and jewellery are available in the following alloys.
Silver, 9ct Yellow, 9ct Rose, 9ct White, 18ct Yellow, 18ct White, and Platinum
Colour differences
Shown in the image above, the colours of the metals we work in are very different to each other.
Our silver is Sterling silver and is the brightest & purest ‘white’ of the white precious metals we work with.
9ct gold (or 9ct ‘yellow’ gold) is a softer gold tone to that of 18ct gold (or 18ct ‘yellow’ gold). This is because the 18ct option contains a higher amount of pure gold.
White gold is not actually a pure white colour (unless it has been rhodium plated – please see below for more information on that). 9ct white gold is a soft colour, with a slight golden tone. 18ct white gold is a deep, metallic tone – quite similar to the colour of platinum but slightly deeper. Again, 18ct white gold contains a higher pure gold content than 9ct white gold.
We also work in 9ct rose gold (but not in 18ct rose gold). 9ct rose gold is a soft, yet warm, pink tone.
Durability
As well as being different colours, the different metals also have varied hardnesses.
Silver is the softest of the precious metals. We’re always happy to make your wedding rings from silver but you should be aware that silver wedding rings are never as hardwearing as gold rings. Wear will happen quicker and to a greater extent with silver and silver also reacts to many elements, where gold and platinum do not.
Rose gold is also a relatively soft metal in comparison to the other gold options.
18ct yellow gold is softer than 9ct yellow gold. However, 18ct white gold is harder than 9ct white gold. (These differences in hardness are due to the gold alloys as well as the quantity of pure gold contained.)
Platinum is the hardest and most durable of the precious metal options.
Sterling silver is a high quality silver but it is inevitable that it will tarnish if it’s not stored or worn correctly. This is not a reflection on the jeweller who has made your jewellery and it’s not a reflection on the quality of the silver – it is simply the nature of Sterling silver.
The best way to store your Sterling silver is in small, air tight bags.
Storing your Sterling silver in the boxes it was presented in when sold to you could lead to the glues & foams in the boxes encouraging the tarnishing process. Leaving your jewellery on wooden surfaces can also be problematic.
Be sure to allow any body lotions & perfumes to dry before you put your jewellery on and put your jewellery on after you’ve used hair spray and don’t have your jewellery lying close to where you use hairspray or any cleaning products.
Do remove silver jewellery while swimming and while using harsh cleaning chemicals. Wearing latex gloves on top of silver rings or putting silver on after applying fake tan can cause the silver to tarnish.
When wearing wide rings it’s important to thoroughly dry under the rings after washing your hands.
Most silver jewellery can be cleaned using a polishing cloth. Gold polishing cloths are perfectly suitable to use on all metals, including silver. Chains and also particularly intricate designs may require to be dipped in a silver dip. Most silver designs can be dipped but do avoid dipping oxidised or plated jewellery, pearls or any artificial stones with a coating and jewellery which has been coloured using the cold enamelling process. (Kiln fired enamel is OK to dip).
Hallmarking
All of our jewellery is hallmarked (with the exception of our samll stud earrings and wee textured rings due to their size & design) at the Assay Office in Edinburgh, so your Love from Skye jewellery is marked with the Edinburgh Castle hallmark as well as our Maker’s Mark ‘LFS’, the metal standard mark and the date stamp. We hallmark our silver rings, pendants, bracelets, charms & drop earrings even if their weight is below the legal weight requirement for hallmarking.
For larger scale visual information about hallmarking, provided by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths, please see the PDF below the follwing image:
Click here for the Hallmarking PDF image
Rhodium plating
At your request, we can have your white gold ring rhodium plated. This finish is usually applied to white gold rings and jewellery to make them very “white”, as white gold alloys in their true form have distinctive colourings. Please note that as standard we do not rhodium plate our white gold rings. The majority of white gold on the market is plated with rhodium as standard to give it a very bright, white colour. Please be aware that this plating doesn’t offer any sort of protection to the metal as some customers are lead to believe. The only purpose of rhodium plating is to change the colour / tone of the metal underneath. Non-plated 9ct white gold has a slight golden tone and 18ct white gold is a deep, gun-metal colour. Rhodium plating wears off rings and is required to be re-done every couple of years (on average) at the customer’s cost, which is why we don’t plate our rings in the first place, and also because we love the non-plated colour for rings. How regularly re-plating is required is totally dependent on wear – how often the ring is worn and how hard the wearer is on their ring. It’s worth considering that the plating may need done more often to a wide ring or a ring with a greater flat surface area. However, if you are buying one of our rings to wear beside another white gold ring then you may wish to consider requesting that we do plate your new ring for you so that the colours match, but please be aware that you will be required to have this re-done in the future. You may also wish to consider chatting with us about polishing the plating off your existing ring for less future maintenance.
Oxidising
Some silver items, such as solid rings, can be oxidised, this leaves the lower sections black, giving a greater contrast to the item.
Because the oxidised sections of silver are not on the surface of the metal, the oxidised effect wearing away is not an issue with our Celtic rings or pendants. However, wear on the darkened mountains of our Cuillin design rings and pendants may be a concern. More information is detailed in our product listings for these designs.
Please do not dip your oxidised silver in any cleaning solutions. Please use a cleaning cloth only.
Satinising
This finish creates a frosted or matte look to your item and adds texture.
Photographed is our butterfly pendant finished with a satin-finish (left) and polished (right).
If cleaning your satin finish jewellery with a cloth, please rub it very lightly.
Your pendant or necklace will be supplied on the chain as pictured in the product listing for that design. Each item description in our product listings include details on the style and length of chain.
An 18 inch chain is considered to be an average length chain, therefore this is the length we use for most of our pendants unless the piece is designed to be worn at a different length. In which case, this will be detailed in the product description. If you would prefer a different length or style of chain, please contact us for more details.
Photographed below is a closer look at the chains we use for our pendants and necklets.
Above, our ‘spiga’ chain – used for our open work Cridhe design pendant, our small Sgiath pendant and our Skye Heart pendant.
This chain has a delicate look. The links are very close, giving the illusion of a solid chain but it is a flexible chain.
An 18 inch spiga chain is £15.00. (16″ – 24″ options range from £14.00 – £19.00).
Above, our ‘trace’ chain – used for our Gaol design pendant and our Isle of Skye pendants, as well as our standard size stag necklet and our small butterfly necklets.
This is a small, open, filed link. Light catches the filed edges really nicely.
An 18 inch trace chain is £12.50. (16″ – 22″ options range from £11.50 – £15.00).
Above, our heavier ‘trace’ chain – used for our textured oyster shell pendants, larger butterfly necklets, large stag necklet and our larger Sgiath pendant.
This chain is made up of classic, rounded links.
A Sterling silver 18 inch heavy trace chain is £29.50. (16″ – 22″ options range from £26.00 – £35.50).
Above, our heavier ‘trace’ chain with a dark plating applied – used for our darkened effect Isle of Skye pendant.
This chain is made up of classic, rounded links.
The plating will always begin to wear off plated chains once the chain starts to rub against the skin or clothing. Chains which have been darkened by plating will change to have an ‘antiqued silver’ appearance and this is normal.
The pricing for this chain option is the same as the above non plated heavier trace chain plus the additional charge of £25.00 for the plating.
Above, our ‘hayseed’ chain which is a heavier option – used for our two sided oyster shell pendant and our pearl-set oyster shell pendant.
This is a fancy link, with an overall luxurious look and feel.
A Sterling silver 18 inch hayseed chain is £41.50. (16″ – 24″ options range from £37.00 – £54.00).
Above, our finer ‘snake’ chain – used for our Orbit design pendants.
This chain is only semi flexible. Care must be taken while wearing and storing this chain. Wearing it in bed, pulling it or storing it by forcing it around box inserts is likely to kink this style of chain. Kinks in the chain cannot be removed and they also create weaknesses in the chain. Please always wear this chain with care and store it by allowing it to lie flat or by hanging it from it’s catch.
A Sterling silver 18 inch snake chain is £22.00. (16″ – 20″ options range from £20.00 – £24.00).
Above, our heavier ‘snake’ chain – used for our ‘Skye from the Sea’ design pendants and as an alternative option for our Sgurr pendant.
Although this is a snake chain, the wider gauge means that it is a more flexible chain.
A Sterling silver 18 inch medium weight snake chain is £34.50. (16″ – 24″ options range from £31.50 – £42.50).
Above, our leather option with silver fittings used for our solid or closed knot work Cridhe pendant and Triskelle pendant and is also used as an alternative option for our ‘Skye from the Sea’ pendants and our Isle of Skye pendants.
When you first unpack your pendant and put it on, the leather will not hang correctly as it needs a wee bit of time to unravel and take it’s natural shape.
Our leather option with Sterling silver fittings is £15.00.
Above, our wire option – an alternative to a chain. Classy & contemporary. We present our Sgurr pendant on a wire.
These wires are only semi flexible. Care must be taken while wearing and storing wires. Wearing in bed, pulling it or storing it by forcing it around box inserts is will kink this style of chain. Kinks in the chain cannot be removed and they also create weaknesses in the rest of the wire. Please always wear this wire with care and store it by allowing it to lie flat or by hanging it from it’s catch.
A Sterling silver 18 inch wire is £38.50. (A 16″ wire is £35.50).
You can select for your drop earrings to be made with either ‘hook’ fittings (left) or ‘post & butterfly’ fittings (right).
You can select your choice of gemstone from the selection we work with. As photographed, these are (clockwise) London Blue Topaz, Peridot, Garnet, Swiss Blue Topaz, Cubic Zirconia (CZ), Citrine and Amethyst (centre). Alternatively, please contact us if you would like details of any other gemstones.
The diamonds we use in our rings and jewellery are of G-H VS/1-2 quality, in sizes 1/8, 1/5 and 1/4ct, please get in touch if you would like to request a different size, shape, colour or quality of diamond.
We source our diamonds and gemstones from reputable dealers with assurances that these stones are not from mines and places around the world involved in conflict.
Textured rings
Silver is a soft metal so textured surfaces will begin to rub smooth eventually, over time. The best way to care for textured rings is to wear them and enjoy them but take them off to do anything which will be hard wearing on your ring – things like gardening or climbing.
Oxidised rings
When silver is oxidised on the surface of the ring’s metal then it is best to remove the ring for anything hard wearing (as mentioned above), when using cleaning products / chemicals or when swimming in a pool.
Tarnished jewellery / rings
Our silver is Sterling silver which is a high quality silver but unfortunately it does tarnish. Silver tarnishing is not anything to do with the way the jewellery has been made and it doesn’t mean that it’s not good quality silver, it is simply the nature of silver. Customers in our shop sometimes ask for advice and tell us about jewellery that this has happened to in a way which implies they feel disappointed by this or that it’s the jeweller’s fault. It really isn’t, it’s just how silver behaves.
To try to avoid your Sterling silver tarnishing, let any perfumes or lotions dry before you put your jewellery on. If you are storing your jewellery rather than wearing it, how you store it is really important. Don’t keep it stored away in the boxes we package your jewellery in because the glue and foam in the boxes can encourage the tarnishing process. The best way to store it is in wee air tight bags. If you need to clean your jewellery, a jewellery cleaning cloth is usually enough. If your jewellery has become really heavily tarnished or you need to clean silver chains then you may need a silver dip.
Things not to do with cloths or dips…….! Don’t rub matt finish or plated jewellery too heavily with a cloth. Don’t put pearls in a dip. (We don’t work with opals or emeralds as part of our collection but, if you have any, don’t dip those either. We don’t work with enamel either but if you have jewellery which has been given a splash of colour using the ‘cold enamelling’ process then don’t dip it.)
We sell cleaning products in our shop but if you don’t live locally, you can pick them up in hardware shops or supermarkets. We also offer a professional cleaning and polishing service which takes your jewellery back to looking like new! This service is much more thorough than using a cloth or a dip. You can see more about this service, including prices, on our workshop services page.
Resurfacing Cuillin rings
Resurfacing (re-hammering & re-oxidising) our textured & darkened silver Cuillin Ridge rings is much more complex and we do therefore need to charge to do this as it is a very time consuming process. This service is charged at £40.00.
Please be aware that this can only be done once or twice after you’ve purchased your ring. (Each time metal is hammered, it stretches a little. Eventually it becomes impossible to hammer it again without affecting the design and whether it can be done depends on how much surface wear the ring has received as well as how many times it has been re-hammered).
Reactions
Silver can occasionally create reactions which can be rather worrying if you don’t realise what’s happened and it can, understandably, cause the customer to worry that the piece they’ve bought hasn’t been made from high quality silver. This isn’t the case and although Sterling silver is a high standard of silver, one of the unfortunate properties of all silver is that it does react with different elements. It’s not common but it can happen, probably more than you would think. Discolouration can happen between silver and the skin when a contact reaction is caused by certain elements. The list of elements which can cause this reaction is a really long list but the most common culprits are probably cleaning chemicals, fake tan and latex gloves. Reactions can be more common in people who haven’t worn silver rings before and can also be more common when the ring is a wide design. Ensuring you dry underneath a wide ring after washing your hands can help. If your ring becomes discoloured due to a reaction then it will need to be professionally cleaned. Usually once a ring has been cleaned and the customer is aware of what factors to avoid, it doesn’t tend to happen again.
We’re always happy to offer specific advice to help you care for your Love from Skye jewellery.