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Saint-Germain, the collection that makes everyday shine before the holidays • Jacob Arabo: The Story of Jacob & Co., 40 Years of Bold Innovation and Spectacular Creations • Histoire d'Or celebrates its 40th anniversary: between heritage and elegance • Women's Christmas Gift Idea: 10 Pieces of Jewelry to Gift Her • The collection celebrating the woman on the move this autumn • Egyptian Jewelry: Symbols and Meanings • Dior Ribbon Sneaker: The Couture Sneaker by Jonathan Anderson • Saint-Germain, the collection that makes everyday shine before the holidays • Jacob Arabo: The Story of Jacob & Co., 40 Years of Bold Innovation and Spectacular Creations • Histoire d'Or celebrates its 40th anniversary: between heritage and elegance • Women's Christmas Gift Idea: 10 Pieces of Jewelry to Gift Her • The collection celebrating the woman on the move this autumn • Egyptian Jewelry: Symbols and Meanings • Dior Ribbon Sneaker: The Couture Sneaker by Jonathan Anderson •

Know what to give, know when to buy

Metals and alloys

Steel, brass, titanium, copper or tin: the everyday metals and alloys of modern jewelry, their properties, how they are worked and how to care for them.

Tungsten

Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a very dense and durable metal, renowned for its exceptional hardness and scratch resistance. Its natural metallic luster and dark gray hue make it an ideal choice for modern and masculine jewelry. It is primarily used for rings, wedding bands, and minimalist accessories.Technical Properties Density: 19.25 g/cm³, comparable to that of gold. Melting point: 3,422 °C, one of the highest among metals. Hardness: extremely hard (9 on the Mohs scale), resistant to scratches but brittle under extreme pressure. Color: naturally steel gray, with a polished or matte finish. Can be plated for other shades (black, gold). Resistance: highly resistant to corrosion, chemicals, and daily wear. Working Methods and ShapingTungsten is difficult to work with due to its exceptional hardness. Common methods include: Pressure casting: a method used to achieve complex shapes. Diamond grinding and polishing: necessary to give tungsten a smooth and brilliant finish. PVD coatings: applied to create colored finishes (black, gold, etc.). Inlays: often combined with materials such as carbon, wood, or precious stones for unique designs. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Production: the main tungsten producers are China, Russia, and Canada. Environmental impact: tungsten extraction can have a significant impact, but its durability and longevity in jewelry reduce its ecological footprint in the long term. Ethical sourcing: seek suppliers adhering to ethical standards in supply.

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Zinc

Zinc is a lightweight and versatile metal, recognized for its silvery color with a slightly bluish hue and its low cost. Often used as a base metal in alloys or for fashion jewelry, it is appreciated for its modern appearance and corrosion resistance. Although relatively soft, it offers good malleability, making it suitable for a variety of creations.Technical Properties Density: 7.14 g/cm³, light compared to other metals. Melting point: 419.5 °C, which allows easy shaping through casting. Color: naturally silvery with a slightly bluish tint, can be polished or plated. Resistance: zinc resists corrosion well but may tarnish over time. Common alloys: often alloyed with copper, aluminum, or magnesium to form more robust materials. Working and Shaping MethodsZinc is easy to handle thanks to its low melting temperature and malleability: Casting: primarily used to produce series jewelry with complex patterns. Polishing: for a smooth and brilliant finish. Plating: zinc is often plated with gold, silver, or rhodium to improve its appearance and durability. Engraving and stamping: common techniques for personalizing zinc jewelry. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Production: the main zinc producers are China, Australia, and Peru. Environmental impact: zinc extraction can have an ecological impact, but its recycling is common and reduces its environmental footprint. Ethical sourcing: prioritize responsible suppliers to limit the negative effects of mining.

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Tin

Tin is a soft, lightweight metal that is easy to work with, distinguished by its silvery-gray color. It is often used in handcrafted jewelry and vintage creations for its elegant appearance and low cost. Tin is also hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for jewelry accessible to everyone.Technical Properties Density: 7.31 g/cm³, relatively lightweight. Melting point: 231.9 °C, which allows easy shaping at low temperature. Color: silvery-gray, with a slight luster that can be polished or aged for a patinated effect. Resistance: tin is soft and prone to scratches, but it resists corrosion well. Common alloys: often alloyed with antimony, copper, or silver to improve its resistance and durability. Working and Shaping MethodsTin is appreciated for its malleability and ease of use: Casting: ideal for creating complex patterns or jewelry in series. Engraving: lends itself well to hand engravings for personalized designs. Hammering: used to add textures or patterns. Soldering: tin can be easily soldered for repairs or delicate assemblies. Patining: artificially aged to give an antique or medieval style. Durability and Ethical Sourcing Production: the main tin producers are China, Indonesia, Peru, and Bolivia. Environmental impact: tin extraction can have environmental effects, but it is widely recyclable and often used in recycled form. Ethical sourcing: opt for sources respecting sustainability and ethics standards, in particular to avoid tin from conflict zones.

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