Metals & stones

Our materials.

Every SilviQ piece is made from a small selection of carefully chosen materials. Here's what we use, how each one behaves, and what to expect from it over time.

Metals

We work with three precious metals across our full design range. Each has different properties, price points, and maintenance requirements.

925 Sterling Silver
Standard / Ready to ship
Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. Pure silver is too soft for jewellery use — the copper addition increases hardness while preserving workability and appearance.
All SilviQ silver pieces are rhodium-plated. Rhodium is a platinum-group metal applied in a thin layer to the surface, giving silver a brighter, whiter finish and significantly slowing tarnish. The plating will thin over time with regular wear — this is normal. Re-plating restores the original finish.
Composition92.5% silver, 7.5% copper
FinishRhodium plated
Hardness2.5–3 Mohs
Tarnish resistanceGood (with plating)
Re-platingAvailable on request
AvailabilityAll designs
Gold — 9K to 18K
Made to order
Gold jewellery is described by its karat — a measure of gold purity out of 24 parts. Higher karat means more gold content, richer colour, and a softer metal. Lower karat means more alloy, better durability, and lower cost.
We offer yellow, white, and rose gold. White gold is rhodium-plated like silver. Yellow and rose gold develop a natural patina over time and generally require less maintenance than white gold.
Available karats9K, 10K, 14K, 18K
ColoursYellow, white, rose
White gold finishRhodium plated
Tarnish resistanceExcellent
AvailabilityAny design, made to order
950 Platinum
Made to order
Platinum is a naturally white, dense precious metal. Unlike white gold, it requires no plating — the white colour is permanent. It is heavier than gold and significantly more resistant to wear over decades of use.
Platinum develops a patina (a slight matte finish) over time as the surface is displaced rather than lost — the metal doesn't wear away the way gold and silver do. Polishing restores a high shine when desired.
Composition95% platinum, 5% iridium
FinishNatural white, no plating
Hardness4–4.5 Mohs
Tarnish resistanceExcellent — does not tarnish
HypoallergenicYes
AvailabilityAny design, made to order
Karat Gold content Durability Character Best for
9K 37.5% gold Highest Lighter colour, more alloy Daily wear, active lifestyles
10K 41.7% gold Very high Similar to 9K, slightly warmer Everyday pieces, good value
14K 58.3% gold High Balanced — good colour, good durability Most popular choice for rings
18K 75% gold Moderate Richest colour, softest Special pieces, pendants, earrings

Stones

We work exclusively with lab-grown stones. Each is produced in a controlled environment and shares the same physical and chemical properties as its natural equivalent.

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Lab-Grown Diamond
Carbon crystal — identical to mined
Lab-grown diamonds are produced using HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) or CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) methods. Both replicate the conditions that form diamonds naturally and produce stones with the same crystal structure, optical properties, and hardness as mined diamonds.
The only reliable way to distinguish a lab-grown from a mined diamond is with advanced spectroscopy equipment found in gemological laboratories. Standard gemological tools, including a loupe, cannot tell the difference.
CompositionPure carbon (C)
Hardness10 Mohs
Refractive index2.42
Fire (dispersion)0.044
CertificationIGI (above 1 carat)
Colours availableWhite, fancy coloured
Full diamond guide →
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Moissanite
Silicon carbide — a distinct gemstone
Moissanite is not a diamond simulant — it is a separate gemstone with its own distinct properties. Originally discovered in a meteor crater in 1893, natural moissanite is extremely rare. All moissanite used in jewellery today is lab-created silicon carbide.
Moissanite has a higher refractive index than diamond and approximately 2.4 times more fire — the rainbow dispersion visible in direct light. In smaller sizes this is subtle; in larger stones it becomes a defining characteristic.
CompositionSilicon carbide (SiC)
Hardness9.25 Mohs
Refractive index2.65
Fire (dispersion)0.104
CertificationCertificate of authenticity
Colours availableColourless, near-colourless
Stone comparison guide →
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Lab-Grown Gemstones
Sapphires, rubies & emeralds
Lab-grown coloured gemstones share the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as their natural equivalents. Sapphires and rubies are both corundum (aluminium oxide) — the colour difference comes from trace elements. Emeralds are beryl coloured by chromium.
We source lab-grown sapphires in pink, blue, and yellow — cut by local craftspeople in Bangkok's gemstone district. Rubies and emeralds are available on request for custom orders.
Sapphire / Ruby hardness9 Mohs
Emerald hardness7.5–8 Mohs
Sapphire coloursBlue, pink, yellow
Ruby / EmeraldCustom orders only
Cut locationBangkok, Thailand
CertificationLab report on request
Stone comparison guide →

How we select our materials

We don't stock a wide range of materials — we stock a narrow range that we're confident in. Every metal and stone we use has been selected against specific criteria that matter for jewellery worn every day.

Durability
Every stone we use sits above 9 Mohs hardness — with the exception of emeralds, which we offer for custom pieces only. Every metal we use is a standard precious alloy with a documented composition and predictable behaviour over time.
Consistency
Lab-grown stones produce consistent results across batches — colour, clarity, and size are controlled within the production process. This means the stone you see in a product photo is representative of what you'll receive.
Transparency
We document what's in every piece — metal composition, stone type, carat weight, and finish. Lab-grown diamonds above 1 carat come with IGI certification. For everything else, we provide our own specifications in writing.

Have a specific material in mind?

All our designs can be made in your choice of metal. If you're looking for a specific stone, karat, or colour combination not shown in our collection, get in touch and we'll advise on what's possible.

Custom order enquiry