Handcrafted Jewellery Sydney
18ct Gold and Platinum are both malleable metals and will dent if hit on surfaces harder than themselves. Settings may become loose if knocked. Stones do not come loose unless knocked.
When wearing pearls, all moisturizers, perfumes and hairsprays should be applied at least 5 minutes before putting on the earrings or ring.
We strongly recommend you bring your diamond rings and earrings in to the store for assessment and refurbishment every 12 months.
If you have purchased an 18ct White Gold ring you may wish to have it polished and Rhodium plated annually (Approximately $65 per piece).
Metals used at Koukii Designs:
We use an array of metals. Below is a list of some of the metals found in our range with an explanation of their make-up.
Sterling Silver.
Is 925 sterling silver. The 925 represents as a 92.5% silver
content and a 7.5% content of other metals usually consisting of copper, zinc or platinum
which assist in strengthening the silver.
9ct Yellow Gold
18ct Yellow Gold
9ct White Gold
18ct White Gold
Platinum
Rhodium.
A member of the platinum group, rhodium is a rare silvery-white hard metal and is one
of the most expensive metals worldwide. Found in the use of jewellery, it is used as a coating on white Gold (seeing there is a yellow gold content, a slight ting yellow shows through) Rhodium is used to make the metal look whiter and diamonds sparkle brighter. it is occasionally used on sterling silver to strengthen the metal from tarnish caused by the copper contained in silver.
Special finishes explained:
White gold jewellery: White gold jewellery may be cared for in the same way as yellow gold. As most white gold products have been rhodium plated, it is important to note that rhodium plating is not permanent, it will fade or wear over time. As it wears, the original colour of the metal beneath will show through. The length of time rhodium plating will last on a piece of jewellery depends on the individual wearer. Some people may find that the plating wears quite rapidly, while others will find that the colour lasts for a long period. In order to maintain the bright white colour, jewellery may be re-rhodium plated by a jeweller, as often as desired.
Diamond textur: Being a rough finish you may find over a long period of time the surface starts to becomes flat, this ring is designed to be a dress ring only and not an everyday ring. Please brinig the piece in to the studio for re-texturing cost starts from $30 and up.
Matt finish: When a piece of jewellery has a matt finish you may find over a long period of time the surface starts to become polished. If this happens it's not a problem as we are able to re-finish the item for you.
Gold plating: Some of our fashion pieces are sterling silver with a gold plate finish. This process is achieved by microns of gold being fused to the surface of the silver. Gold plating is a surface finish so it can be susceptible to wear, but if looked after correctly signs of wearing should only occur over a long period of time and items can be re-finished.
Cleaning your jewellery once it's home:
Tarnish. Silver can tarnish, so use a non abrasive silver polish or a soft cloth.
Sparkle. To get your jewellery sparkling again (with the exception of pearls and emeralds, as these are porous) leave to soak in a bowl of warm water with a mild liquid detergent and a spoonful of cloudy Amonia, using a soft bristle toothbrush to gently clean. Avoid harder bristled brushes or new toothbrushes as these can leave scratches on the surface of the metal. Rinse the piece under running water and use a soft cloth to dry the piece. Be careful if the diamonds are in claw-settings as these may catch on certain cloths. You can also use special jewellery liquid cleaner
Pearls. The golden rule with all pearl jewellery is to put it on as the final touch - after you have dressed, styled your hair and applied your make-up. Avoid wearing your jewellery when bathing, allow all creams to soak in and perfumes to dry before putting-on any pearl jewellery - this will also keep any chains, ring shanks or earring settings which feature pearls clean. When you remove your pearl jewellery, wipe it over with a lint-free cloth. This will not only lift any surface dirt, but will also gently polish the pearls.
Pearls can be cleaned using a mild detergent and water solution, and a soft cloth. Avoid chemicals or strong soapy cleaners and abrasive cloths. Allow your pearls to air dry.
Store them in a soft bag made from leather, velvet, or the equivalent. If you wear a string of pearls regularly, make sure you have them re-strung once a year; a regular 40cm single strand can cost from $35 and up to be re-strung. Likewise, a pearl necklace which may not have been worn for sometime should be checked for any wear before being worn.
White Gold Diamond Jewellery
Gemstones that we use:
Natural Stones.
Our natural stones include diamonds, sapphires, garnet, agate (white & black), onyx, howlite, amethyst, carnelian, lapis, jadeite, chalcedony, amazonite, turquoise, chrysophrase, prenite, pearl, coral and quartz (with colours including clear, black, smoky, pink, rutilated and green tourmalinated), just to name a few.
Natural stones have a unique quality with some containing inclusions. An inclusion
is a material such as another mineral or water that is trapped during the formation
of the stone, leaving the stone with a natural and unique pattern, for example, tourmaline and rutilated quartz.
Synthetic & reconstructed stones.
Synthetic stones include cubic zirconia (CZ), which is fashioned under high temperatures
(up to 2300 degrees Celcius) and high pressure in special chamber known as a skull crucible. Special oxides of copper, titanium, iron and nickel are added during the final processes
to create various colours. Another is hydro-thermal quartz which is also produced in a chamber under high temperature and pressure but using a water base and is best described as being a 'grown' gem. A reconstructed stone is a mixture of a natural stone crushed and mixed with a strong acrylic resin creating an inexpensive alternative to its costly counterpart.There are many different gemstones, all with individual characteristics, colours, cuts and care-guides.
Below we have outlined the most popular gemstones used in the jewellery sold at Koukii Designs, and how to care for them:
Garnet - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (a service available at EC One). At home, use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Emerald - Cannot be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner, due to its brittle nature. At home, use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Opal - Cannot be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner, as opals are soft porous stones. At home, use a dry or damp cloth to clean the surface of the stone.
Peridot - Cannot be cleaned in our ultrasonic cleaner. Use a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Ruby - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (a service available at EC One). At home, use a soft toothbrush with warm, soapy water. Ammonia-based cleaners are OK to use. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Sapphire - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (available at EC One). Use a soft toothbrush with warm, soapy water, ammonia-based cleaners or rubbing alcohol. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Tanzanite - Cannot be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner. At home, use warm, soapy water and dry with a soft clean cloth.
Topaz - Cannot be cleaned using our Ultrasonic cleaner. Use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Tourmaline - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (a service available at EC One). At home, use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft clean cloth.18ct Gold and Platinum are both malleable metals and will dent if hit on surfaces harder than themselves. Settings may become loose if knocked. Stones do not come loose unless knocked.When wearing pearls, all moisturizers, perfumes and hairsprays should be applied at least 5 minutes before putting on the earrings or ring. We strongly recommend you bring your diamond rings and earrings in to the store for assessment and refurbishment every 12 months.
If you have purchased an 18ct White Gold ring you may wish to have it polished and Rhodium plated annually (Approximately $65 per piece, depending on the piece).
Metals used at Koukii Designs:
We use an array of metals. Below is a list of some of the metals found in our range with an explanation of their make-up.
Sterling Silver.
Is 925 sterling silver. The 925 represents as a 92.5% silver
content and a 7.5% content of other metals usually consisting of copper, zinc or platinum
which assist in strengthening the silver.
9ct Yellow Gold
18ct Yellow Gold
9ct White Gold
18ct White Gold
Platinum
Rhodium.
A member of the platinum group, rhodium is a rare silvery-white hard metal and is one
of the most expensive metals worldwide. Found in the use of jewellery, it is used as a coating on white Gold (seeing there is a yellow gold content, a slight ting yellow shows through) Rhodium is used to make the metal look whiter and diamonds sparkle brighter. it is occasionally used on sterling silver to strengthen the metal from tarnish caused by the copper contained in silver.
Special finishes explained:
White gold jewellery: White gold jewellery may be cared for in the same way as yellow gold. As most white gold products have been rhodium plated, it is important to note that rhodium plating is not permanent, it will fade or wear over time. As it wears, the original colour of the metal beneath will show through. The length of time rhodium plating will last on a piece of jewellery depends on the individual wearer. Some people may find that the plating wears quite rapidly, while others will find that the colour lasts for a long period. In order to maintain the bright white colour, jewellery may be re-rhodium plated by a jeweller, as often as desired.
Diamond textur: Being a rough finish you may find over a long period of time the surface starts to becomes flat, this ring is designed to be a dress ring only and not an everyday ring. Please brinig the piece in to the studio for re-texturing cost starts from $30 and up.
Matt finish: When a piece of jewellery has a matt finish you may find over a long period of time the surface starts to become polished. If this happens it's not a problem as we are able to re-finish the item for you.
Gold plating: Some of our fashion pieces are sterling silver with a gold plate finish. This process is achieved by microns of gold being fused to the surface of the silver. Gold plating is a surface finish so it can be susceptible to wear, but if looked after correctly signs of wearing should only occur over a long period of time and items can be re-finished.
Cleaning your jewellery once it's home:
Tarnish. Silver can tarnish, so use a non abrasive silver polish or a soft cloth.
Sparkle. To get your jewellery sparkling again (with the exception of pearls and emeralds, as these are porous) leave to soak in a bowl of warm water with a mild liquid detergent and a spoonful of cloudy Amonia, using a soft bristle toothbrush to gently clean. Avoid harder bristled brushes or new toothbrushes as these can leave scratches on the surface of the metal. Rinse the piece under running water and use a soft cloth to dry the piece. Be careful if the diamonds are in claw-settings as these may catch on certain cloths. You can also use special jewellery liquid cleaner
Pearls. The golden rule with all pearl jewellery is to put it on as the final touch - after you have dressed, styled your hair and applied your make-up. Avoid wearing your jewellery when bathing, allow all creams to soak in and perfumes to dry before putting-on any pearl jewellery - this will also keep any chains, ring shanks or earring settings which feature pearls clean. When you remove your pearl jewellery, wipe it over with a lint-free cloth. This will not only lift any surface dirt, but will also gently polish the pearls.
Pearls can be cleaned using a mild detergent and water solution, and a soft cloth. Avoid chemicals or strong soapy cleaners and abrasive cloths. Allow your pearls to air dry.
Store them in a soft bag made from leather, velvet, or the equivalent. If you wear a string of pearls regularly, make sure you have them re-strung once a year; a regular 40cm single strand can cost from $35 and up to be re-strung. Likewise, a pearl necklace which may not have been worn for sometime should be checked for any wear before being worn.
White Gold Diamond Jewellery
Gemstones that we use:
Natural Stones.
Our natural stones include diamonds, sapphires, garnet, agate (white & black), onyx, howlite, amethyst, carnelian, lapis, jadeite, chalcedony, amazonite, turquoise, chrysophrase, prenite, pearl, coral and quartz (with colours including clear, black, smoky, pink, rutilated and green tourmalinated), just to name a few.
Natural stones have a unique quality with some containing inclusions. An inclusion
is a material such as another mineral or water that is trapped during the formation
of the stone, leaving the stone with a natural and unique pattern, for example, tourmaline and rutilated quartz.
Synthetic & reconstructed stones.
Synthetic stones include cubic zirconia (CZ), which is fashioned under high temperatures
(up to 2300 degrees Celcius) and high pressure in special chamber known as a skull crucible. Special oxides of copper, titanium, iron and nickel are added during the final processes
to create various colours. Another is hydro-thermal quartz which is also produced in a chamber under high temperature and pressure but using a water base and is best described as being a 'grown' gem. A reconstructed stone is a mixture of a natural stone crushed and mixed with a strong acrylic resin creating an inexpensive alternative to its costly counterpart.There are many different gemstones, all with individual characteristics, colours, cuts and care-guides.
Below we have outlined the most popular gemstones used in the jewellery sold at Koukii Designs, and how to care for them:
Garnet - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (a service available at EC One). At home, use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Emerald - Cannot be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner, due to its brittle nature. At home, use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Opal - Cannot be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner, as opals are soft porous stones. At home, use a dry or damp cloth to clean the surface of the stone.
Peridot - Cannot be cleaned in our ultrasonic cleaner. Use a soft toothbrush and warm soapy water. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Ruby - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (a service available at EC One). At home, use a soft toothbrush with warm, soapy water. Ammonia-based cleaners are OK to use. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Sapphire - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (available at EC One). Use a soft toothbrush with warm, soapy water, ammonia-based cleaners or rubbing alcohol. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Tanzanite - Cannot be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner. At home, use warm, soapy water and dry with a soft clean cloth.
Topaz - Cannot be cleaned using our Ultrasonic cleaner. Use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Tourmaline - Can be cleaned in our Ultrasonic cleaner (a service available at EC One). At home, use a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water. Dry with a soft clean cloth.
