Our Material

Our material philosophy

We make emotional jewelry meant to be lived in. That means balancing beauty, durability, and value: trend-forward base metals for playful pieces, sterling for classic shine, gold-filled and solid gold for heirloom quality. Whatever you choose, we hand-finish each piece for the 1/9 Studio signature — sculptural, tactile, slightly mysterious.

Stainless Steel

  • Base & Finish: Marine-grade stainless steel, highly polished or plated for a mirror finish.

  • Benefits: Extremely strong, corrosion-resistant, hypoallergenic (nickel-free grades), water-safe, and low maintenance.

  • Limitations: Heavier than brass or silver; more difficult to resize or reshape; not easily soldered for extensive repairs.

  • Care: Wipe with a soft cloth after wear. For cleaning, use mild soap and water. Avoid strong acids/bleaches. Store in a dry place.

Brass with 925 Sterling Silver or 18K White-Gold Plating

  • Base & Finish: High-purity brass core electroplated with a thin layer of 925 sterling silver or 18K white gold.

  • Benefits: Economical; delivers a bright, luxe white-metal look at accessible price points; plated top layer can be hypoallergenic while intact.

  • Limitations: Plating is thin and will eventually wear in high-friction areas, revealing the brass beneath; plating may need re-finish over time.

  • Care: Remove before showering/sweating; keep away from perfumes and lotions; clean gently with a soft cloth; consider re-plating when finish shows wear.

925 Sterling Silver

  • Composition & Finish: 92.5% silver with alloyed metal for strength; polishes to a high mirror finish.

  • Benefits: True precious metal with classic luster; resists corrosion and can be professionally polished and repaired; ideal for sculptural forms and intricate work.

  • Limitations: Silver will develop a natural patina or tarnish over time when exposed to air, sulfur, or moisture (this is reversible through polishing).

  • Care: Store in an anti-tarnish pouch; clean with silver polishing cloth or mild silver cleaner when needed; avoid chlorinated water.

Stainless Steel with 18K Gold (Gold-Filled)

  • Base & Finish: Marine-grade stainless core with a mechanically bonded layer of 18K gold (gold-filled).

  • Benefits: Gold-filled has a thick, bonded gold layer that won’t flake or peel like plating; highly durable, water- and sweat-resistant — excellent for everyday wear that needs a gold look without the full gold price. Often hypoallergenic.

  • Limitations: Heavier and usually more expensive than plated pieces; while durable, overly rough resizing requires specialist tools.

  • Care: Gentle soap and water cleaning; dry thoroughly; occasional soft polishing keeps the surface bright.

925 Sterling Silver with 18K Gold Plating

  • Base & Finish: Genuine 925 silver base with a thin electroplated layer of 18K gold.

  • Benefits: Authentic silver underneath with a warm gold surface — more affordable than solid gold while giving a true gold appearance. Great for refined, gold-tone designs.

  • Limitations: Plating thickness varies (commonly ~0.5–2µm) and will thin with prolonged wear; the plated surface can be re-plated by a jeweler.

  • Care: Avoid scrubbing; remove before swimming or applying creams/perfume; store separately to avoid abrasion.

Solid Gold — 18K & 24K

Composition & Qualities:

  • 18K Gold: 75% pure gold alloyed for hardness (commonly mixed with copper, silver, or palladium). Balance of durability and rich color; widely used for fine jewelry and wedding rings.

  • 24K Gold: 99–99.9% pure gold, very soft and very yellow. Luxurious, highly lustrous, but prone to scratches and deformation if used in thin forms.

  • Benefits: Unmatched longevity; resizable and repairable by jewelers; natural hypoallergenic qualities (especially in higher-karat golds); enduring value and heirloom potential.

  • Limitations: Cost is significantly higher; 24K is very soft (not ideal for thin bands or high-impact daily wear); 18K is the typical best-practice compromise for durability + purity.

  • Care: Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush; professional polishing for scratches; store wrapped to avoid surface marring.

Quick practical guidance — which to pick?

  • Everyday, low-maintenance pieces: Stainless steel or gold-filled over stainless — durable, water-safe, ideal for daily layering.

  • Mid-tier, luxe look at value price: 925 sterling silver or 925 silver with 18K gold plating — great shine, repairable, moderate care.

  • Statement & heirloom pieces/wedding rings/lifetime keepsakes: 18K or 24K solid gold (18K recommended for balance of durability and color).

  • Trend/seasonal pieces: Brass with plating — lightweight, budget-friendly, replaceable, and perfect for fast styles.