MATERIALS MATTER
Loops is a thoughtfully sustainable jewellery brand that brings you elegant, high-quality pieces designed and handmade with mostly recycled metals. Learn a bit more about the metals and materials Jill uses, where she sources them, and why these things make a difference to the sustainability and quality of the Loops pieces you love.
I love the effortlessness of beautifully handmade and high-quality jewellery you can wear every day, and I particularly appreciate when it’s made by ethical and sustainable makers who are transparent about their sustainability practices, supply chain, and sources. As Loops’ sole designer and maker, I do my best to make sure my material sourcing matches up to my values.
In an effort to be as transparent as possible, I’ve put together some essential information about my materials, methods, and sources.
LOOPS’ MATERIALS + SOURCES
I wholeheartedly believe that creating beautiful jewellery shouldn't come at the expense of our principles, our community, or the environment. Genuine sustainability requires both thoughtful consideration and openness regarding the environmental and human consequences of my choices and sources. It’s why I opt to source high-quality, predominantly recycled metals that combined with careful crafting, will let you enjoy your favourite pieces for years to come. I make sure to source certified recycled gold and silver made from scrap or post-consumer content, which helps reduce Loops’ overall environmental impact. Regardless of each of the metals I use, though, the jewellery you’ll find in my shop will always be lead-free, nickel-free, and hypoallergenic.
Here’s some essential information about each of the specific metals I use to make Loops Jewellery, and where they come from….
14K GOLD FILLED + 14K ROSE GOLD FILLED
14k gold filled is as close as we can get to solid gold while still remaining affordable, high quality, and beautifully long lasting. When treasured and handled with care, gold filled jewelry will last for years without chipping, tarnishing, discolouring, or fading.
If you’re curious how gold filled is made and what it contains, here’s a brief primer: gold fill is a composite metal created with heat and pressure bonding a thin layer of 12- or 14-karat gold to a centre core of brass. The layers of gold are fused to one side (single-clad) or both sides (double-clad) of the substrate metal. Gold filled jewellery is 100% more gold than gold plated jewellery. It won’t wear off, turn your fingers green, or cause an allergic reaction.
Gold-filled jewelry has 100x more gold alloy than gold plated jewellery. With its stronger and thicker layer of gold, gold-filled jewellery lasts longer and resists wear and tear much more effectively and for longer than gold plated pieces. What all of that means you can cherish your favourite gold filled Loops Jewellery necklaces, earrings, rings, and more in beautiful condition for years to come. All gold pieces are made with strong, non-tarnishing, and waterproof gold or rose gold that lasts for years without flaking, tarnishing, or discolouring. No flaking, bending, or breaking like gold plated.
Our 14k rose gold filled pieces are made from a thick piece of solid 14K rose gold over a brass core. They have a warm, rosy tone that’s flattering on a range of skin tones. All of the parts and pieces I use when making Loops’ jewellery— including the chains, jump rings, and clasps—are made from gold fill or sterling silver.
STERLING SILVER JEWELLERY
Bright and shiny predominantly recycled sterling silver rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more…
Whenever possible, I use primarily recycled sterling silver produced by Rio Grande, a company that prides themselves on using safe and sustainable environmental practices. They certify and independently audit all of their suppliers to make sure they are traceable and conflict-free. I chose them for my materials because they make a point to source recycled gold and silver whenever they can, so the vast majority of the gold and silver they offer is recycled. Reducing the use of mined silver helps preserve land and water resources in silver mining regions.
Sterling silver is an alloy made from 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. The ‘925’ stamped on sterling silver denotes that the metal is made up of 92.5 percent pure silver with 7.5 percent alloys for added strength.
Natural silver tends to oxidize and darken over time, but if you prefer your jewellery bright and shiny, gently polishing it with a soft cloth will bring back the shine. Another added bonus of silver jewellery is the more you wear it, the slower it oxidizes, which keeps your favourite pieces bright and shiny or longer.
ARGENTIUM® SILVER
Victoria’s Jill Bernakevitch, Loops Jewellery’s designer and maker
I use argentium silver for pieces that I’m soldering because it’s much less likely to darken and become firestained. It’s brighter than white gold and sterling silver and has the longest-lasting shine. Argentium silver is an alloy with a minimum silver content of 93.5% (higher than traditional sterling silver), with copper and germanium as the remaining percentage. The element germanium is added to help eliminate firestain, add tarnish resistance, and heat-hardening properties.