Metal Options
Our jewelry is only manufactured in the highest quality and alloys of metals based on European standards (Which are much more strict than US standards and are nickel free) with a minimal noble metal content of at least 75%*.
All of our jewelry is available in our custom alloy of surgical implant grade hypoallergenic 316L stainless steel, nickel free 18kt. gray gold, 950 palladium, 950 platinum, and a custom alloy of heat treatable hardened 950 Platinum. Upon special request we will manufacture our jewelry pieces in any alloy, karat or color of gold and sterling silver.
Special notice: you will note that we manufacture in silver only by special request. It is our position that most silver jewelry is mass produced at substandard levels. As you may or may not be aware most mass produced silver jewelry has a “blackening” process performed on the recessed areas within the pieces. This process is done to hide the imperfections of the metal inherent in these pieces such as porosity (pitting) that is so prevalent.
Silver is also very soft and misshapes, dings, scratches, dulls and scuffs way too easily. Silver is also notorious for oxidizing (tarnishing) very quickly, as well as not being able to withstand heavy ultrasonic cleaning without adverse affects on the metal surface.
*This is for our Noble Metals Silver, Gold, Palladium and Platinum.
Surface Treatments
Our jewelry is available in any finish or mixed finishes that you could desire from mirrored high polish to our hand applied silk satin finish utilizing old world European techniques and everything in between.
Surface coloration: At Atelier Gothique we do not believe in using chemical blackening processes that are applied to the recessed areas of mass produced jewelry to hide the metal imperfections. Our jewelry is manufactured to such a high level that this is not an issue. When we add surface coloration it is a design attribute to the piece. We never use enamel paints or plastics nor do we use or condone the use chemical coloring processes as this is a short lasting inferior process. Our inlay / coloration is available in all colors and is achieved in one of two ways.
1. Three Dimensionally Bonded Reinforced Hard Wearing Ceramic
2. Fine French Enameling In All Techniques
