MATERIALS & CARE

WE ONLY WORK WITH SILVER & GOLD!!

At Pawnshop the quality of our jewellery is paramount to us. We only work with high-quality fine metals -certified 100% recycled 925 sterling silver & 9-24K gold. We work hard to ensure that every piece is made to the highest standard.

We are committed to ensuring all our metals & stones are responsibly sourced. Our factories are ethically audited several times per year by independent auditors such as SGS, Intertek & Elevate.

We used 100% recycled sterling silver sourced from suppliers certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. We use London Bullion Market Association certified gold suppliers. Nickel is not added to any of our silver or gold alloys. Pawnshop jewellery is made to EU Nickel Directive (REACH) guidelines.

All our stones are ethically and responsibly sourced from conflict-free zones. All diamonds are sourced in line with the Kimberly Act.

MATERIALS

100% CERTIFIED RECYCLED STERLING SILVER

Our Pawnshop signature range is produced from 100% certified recycled sterling silver.

Sterling Silver is an extremely durable material that does not easily oxidise or discolour.

Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure Silver and 7.5% Copper. Mixing silver with other metals makes the silver more durable. All sterling silver over 7.78g is hallmarked to 925.

We test and hallmark our pieces at the Assay office as required by UK law.

24K GOLD VERMEIL ON 100% CERTIFIED RECYCLED STERLING SILVER/ VINTAGE PLATED

Gold vermeil is a thick layer of gold over sterling silver. Our Pawnshop signature range uses 24K gold over 100% certified recycled sterling silver. We then treat all our jewellery with ant-tarnish to help with durability. It is natural, however for the gold to fade and

wear down over time- by caring for your jewellery you can keep it looking brighter for longer. We also stock a range of vintage plated jewellery- which is 9K gold over sterling silver.

By plating our jewellery, we can offer fine jewellery at a lower price point.

We test and hallmark our pieces at the Assay office as required by UK law.

GOLD

Solid gold is an extremely durable material that does not easily oxidise or discolour. Gold is mixed with percentages of other metals to make it more durable. The purity of gold is measured in karats. 9 karat gold is most used for its affordability & durability. We use 37.5% gold alloy mixed with Copper, Zinc & Silver. All 9kt gold over 1g is hallmarked to 375. We use recycled gold or source vintage where possible.

VINTAGE JEWELLERY

We source our vintage sterling silver & gold jewellery from markets and dealers within the UK.

As these items are vintage, we have limited information on metal combinations- but test all diamonds and read and state all hallmarks where possible. Every piece is weighed. We carefully clean each piece and only select the best quality in terms of wear, material, stones, and setting.

CARE GUIDE

Jewellery is delicate and needs to be looked after carefully to ensure its durability.

Tarnishing can be avoided, and plating maintained longer with care. We provide a polishing cloth with every order, use this to brighten up your jewellery.

GOLD/ STERLING SILVER & VINTAGE

· Durable for daily wear.

· Will keep tarnish-free through wear.

· Can be cleaned with warm water, soap, soft small brush- e.g., a toothbrush, in addition to polished with a lint-free cloth.

· Take care when wearing gemstones as these are particularly delicate and could chip/shatter/ become loose on impact with hard surfaces.

24K GOLD VERMEIL ON STERLING SILVER/ VINTAGE PLATED

If cared for correctly your plated jewellery will have longer-lasting colour. We are unable to accurately predict the durability of gold plating. Rings are exposed to more wear and tear, so we plate these thicker than standard.

The plating will eventually wear over time depending on usage and care. Follow our jewellery care guidelines to delay this.

· Avoid contact with water: this includes swimming, showering & washing hands.

· Avoid contact with chemicals: this includes chlorine, sun lotion, hand sanitiser, cosmetics, hair products & perfumes.

· Avoid extreme heat, cold sunlight & damp conditions.

· Remove jewellery before bed, exercise & sunbathing.

· Store your jewellery carefully in a cool dry place, e.g., pouch/ box to avoid scratching and/ or tangling. Keep your chains fastened to further avoid tangling.

· Avoid using force when opening & closing clasps. Do not bend or pull your earrings/chains/ rings as your jewellery may break.

· Take care when wearing gemstones as these are particularly delicate and could chip/shatter/ become loose on impact with hard surfaces.

If your piece needs to be professionally repaired or repolished or if you have any other questions about the care/ material of your jewellery please email us at

hello@pawnlondon.com.