Jewellery Materials Guide

Aeternum jewellery is made in precious metals selected for permanence, structure, weight, and a lifetime of wear.

Each material is chosen for how it behaves in the finished piece: its tone, density, durability, surface finish, and suitability for the design. Sterling silver, 9ct gold, 14ct gold, 18ct gold, white gold, rose gold, platinum, gemstones, and diamonds all have distinct qualities.

All Aeternum pieces are made in sterling silver or solid gold, with selected designs available in 9ct, 14ct, or 18ct gold depending on the structure, scale, and intended use of the piece. Bespoke commissions may also be made in other precious metals, including platinum, where the design allows.

Sterling silver

Sterling silver is one of the core materials used across Aeternum jewellery.

It has a cool, pale tone and a strong visual relationship with darker, sculptural design. Its surface can hold detail well, making it suited to ear tunnels, rings, pendants, ear weights, and pieces where shape, relief, and finish are central to the design.

Sterling silver has weight and substance while remaining suitable for a wide range of jewellery forms. It is especially effective in pieces where shadow, texture, and polished surfaces are part of the final result.

Like all silver, sterling silver can naturally tarnish over time. This is a normal characteristic of the metal and can usually be managed with careful storage, regular wear, and appropriate cleaning.

Sterling silver is chosen for its clarity, strength, sculptural definition, and enduring place within precious metal jewellery.

9ct gold

9ct gold is one of the core solid gold alloys used across Aeternum jewellery.

It is valued for its strength, durability, and suitability for jewellery made to be worn regularly. Its composition gives it a resilient structure while retaining the permanence, value, and character of solid gold.

9ct yellow gold has a warm tone that remains controlled rather than overly saturated. It works well in pieces where solid gold, long-term wear, and a refined precious metal finish are central to the design.

Aeternum uses 9ct gold for made-to-order jewellery including ear tunnels, rings, pendants, and selected bespoke pieces. It is a strong material choice for customers who want solid gold jewellery with substance, durability, and permanence.

14ct gold

14ct gold has a higher gold content than 9ct gold and a richer tone while retaining strong durability.

It offers a considered balance of colour, strength, and precious metal presence. In Aeternum jewellery, 14ct gold is often selected where the design benefits from a deeper gold tone while still requiring structure, wearability, and long-term performance.

14ct yellow gold has a warmer, more saturated appearance than 9ct yellow gold, but it remains controlled and refined. It suits pieces where the metal colour is more visually present without overwhelming the sculptural form.

14ct gold may be available for selected designs or by request, depending on the scale, structure, and intended wear of the piece.

18ct gold

18ct gold has a high gold content and a deep, rich tone giving pieces a more pronounced precious metal character.

Because 18ct gold has a higher gold content, it behaves differently from 9ct and 14ct gold. The suitability of 18ct gold depends on the piece, its thickness, its setting style, and how it will be worn.

18ct gold is often best suited to bespoke commissions, selected made-to-order jewellery, and designs where the depth of the gold tone forms part of the final object.

White gold

White gold offers a pale precious metal tone.

It is suited to customers who want a cooler colour palette while retaining the density and permanence of gold. Depending on the alloy and finish, white gold can have a slightly warmer undertone than sterling silver, giving it a distinct character rather than simply imitating another metal.

White gold works well in designs where a restrained, pale metal finish is needed without losing the presence of gold. It can be particularly effective in sculptural pieces, stone-set designs, and jewellery where contrast, polish, and shadow are important.

Availability depends on the design, as white gold may require specific finishing considerations.

Rose gold

Rose gold has a warm, copper-toned appearance and a distinct material character.

It brings warmth and contrast to sculptural jewellery without making the design feel decorative or overly delicate. In Aeternum pieces, rose gold can create a strong relationship between metal colour, form, and surface.

Rose gold works especially well where the warmth of the metal is part of the intended result. It can soften heavier forms, create contrast against darker styling, and give familiar designs a different material presence.

Rose gold may be available for selected pieces or by request, depending on the design.

Platinum

Platinum may be available for bespoke commissions, depending on the design.

It is a dense, precious metal with a naturally pale tone. Platinum is known for its weight, durability, and long-term performance.

Its density gives platinum a strong physical presence. It is often chosen where material, durability, and a naturally pale precious metal finish are central to the design.

Because platinum behaves differently from silver and gold during casting, making, and finishing, it is best discussed as part of a bespoke enquiry.

Gemstones and diamonds

Some Aeternum pieces include gemstones or diamonds, while others can be adapted for stone setting by request.

Stone choice is guided by the design, setting style, scale, and intended wear of the piece. The stone must suit the structure of the jewellery, not simply the appearance of the design. This is especially important for jewellery intended for frequent wear or for body jewellery styles that need to remain comfortable, balanced, and secure.

Diamonds and gemstones can bring contrast, depth, and permanence to a design when used with restraint. The aim is not decoration for its own sake, but a considered relationship between metal, stone, setting, and form.

For bespoke work, stone options can be discussed during the design process.

Choosing the right material

The right material depends on the design, how the piece will be worn, the tone you prefer, the structure required, and the presence you want from the jewellery.

Sterling silver offers a cool precious metal tone, strong surface definition, and sculptural clarity.

9ct gold offers solid gold with strength, durability, warmth, and long-term wearability.

14ct gold offers a richer gold tone with a strong balance of colour, structure, and precious metal presence.

18ct gold offers a deep gold tone and high precious metal content.

White gold offers a pale precious metal tone with the permanence and character of solid gold.

Rose gold offers warmth, contrast, and a distinct material presence.

Platinum offers density, durability, and a naturally pale tone for selected bespoke pieces.

Each material has its own strengths. The best choice is the one that suits the design, the intended use, and the way you want the piece to sit on the body.

If you are unsure which material is right for a design, contact us before ordering.

Material availability

Not every design is available in every metal. Some pieces require a particular structure, thickness, weight, or finishing process to work properly.

Material availability is considered carefully so that the finished piece has the correct balance, durability, and wearability. If a product page does not show the material you want, it may still be possible to request it as a bespoke or custom variation.

Related guides

For information on choosing the correct ear tunnel size, see our Ear Tunnel Size Guide.

For help comparing ear tunnel styles, see our Mayan Flare vs Double Flare Ear Tunnels guide.

For commissions or custom work, see our Bespoke Jewellery page.