Making jewellery is like making a gorgeous chocolate fudge cake- you need the best ingredients or it just doesn't taste right. (Anyone who has tried baking with "value" chocolate will know what I mean!)

Every item of handmade jewellery I produce is made with the finest quality materials, from top-of-the-range Swarovski crystals to sterling silver findings. This ensures that your product continues to sparkle for years to come, and that you get the best value for your money. ;-)

Outlined below are descriptions of the key materials I use in my jewellery making, so that you can translate "jeweller-speak" into English.

Swarovski Crystal Pearls:

Swarovski pearls are not natural pearls but are manmade and created around a crystal core. The pearl coating is then applied around the core in pearly layers. These pearls are perfectly round and are resistant to perspiration, UV rays, perfumes, scratches and washing. They feel good to the touch and offer the sensual experience valued by pearl lovers. We also use freshwater pearls in some of our creations, so be sure to check the description to see what is included. Swarovski crystal pearls come in a variety of colours, and you can personalise your jewellery to suit your colour preferences.

Swarovski Crystal Beads:

We use a number of Swarovski crystal types - round beads, rondelles and biocones. They are faceted crystals, designed to catch the light when worn and they sparkle like diamonds. Our site lets you choose the colours you would like when designing your bespoke jewellery. Swarovski is the internationally renowned Austrian crystal producer and they produce the highest quality crystals which catch the light and glitter perfectly. The colours are fixed, so will not fade or rub off on clothing. We only purchase our Swarovski crystals from reputable suppliers to ensure you get the genuine article. The best of the best in terms of quality, finish and style- a piece of jewellery with Swarovski components is worth every penny.

Sterling Silver:

Where sterling silver is stated in the product description, this is guaranteed to contain at least 92.5% pure silver, as per the legal definitions. Items over a certain weight are stamped .925, but smaller items are not required to be marked. However, we only buy our silver from reputable manufacturers to guarantee its quality.

Karen Hill Tribes Silver:

Karen Hill Tribes live in a traditional way in Thailand and continue to produce beautiful, high quality silver items that are 99.5 to 99% pure. They just add solder to complete the items, which reduces the quality slightly from 100% pure silver. Nevertheless, these items are beautiful and tend to be more delicate than Sterling Silver. Each piece is handmade by traditional craftsmen, and using their findings supports their traditional way of life for future generations.

Tibetan/ Balinese Silver:

Tends to be slightly less pure, but items are nevertheless beautifully handcrafted and excellent quality. We also use silver plate on some items, so please check the item description to establish the materials used.

Seed beads:

The tiny little beads used in my beadwork creations are classed as seed beads. There are lots of different types of seed bead, but I only use Japanese made beads manufactured by Toho. These are world-renowned and of the highest quality. Each bead is created by machine and carefully cut to size, so they are more regular in shape than cheaper imitations. These means you get the best quality finish, as each bead fits together perfectly when lined in a grid, and looks beautiful! There are literally hundreds of colours available in seed beads, and my website only shows a few to cover the most popular combinations. However, if you would like a specific colour that you can’t see here, please do let me know and I will try to source it for you – I love a challenge!

The description of the materials used is intended to help you understand the components of your uniquely customised jewellery by Emroy Jewels. However, if you have any queries at all about the make-up of an item you are interested in, or would just love to chat, please feel free to contact us as we love email!