Why Solid and Recycled Materials only?
Why do we only use Solid and recycled materials for our NEN.X jewelry?
At NEN.X, our goal is to produce jewelry that can last a human lifetime and be passed down to future generations, promoting a mindset of prioritizing quality over quantity when it comes to consumption.
We're not just enamoured by the look and feel of gold. Gold not only stands out as one of the most exclusive and precious materials on this planet, but is also one of the least reactive metals, generally not reacting with oxygen, water, or acids, always retaining its allure. Gold is also highly ductile and malleable. These characteristics make it the ideal material for our jewelry.
We believe that it is beautiful and emotional to gift something rare and precious that has the potential to last forever to yourself or your loved ones. These pieces can hold emotions and stories with the wearer and then be passed down to future generations.
For our products, we chose to only use recycled gold from certified German institutions.
"We believe that it is beautiful and emotional to gift something rare and precious that has the potential to last forever to yourself or your loved ones."
" These pieces can hold emotions and stories with the wearer and then be passed down to future generations."
Did you know?
Estimates suggest that if you were to gather all the pure gold ever found on the planet, it would form a cube ranging from 20x20m to 50x50m. Estimates may vary, but even if it were the 50x50m size, isn't that crazy? Additionally, did you know that most of the gold on Earth originates from meteorites from outer space? Gold is the only metal on this planet with a naturally occurring distinct color, and it has held a magical allure for humans throughout history.
Whats the difference between Solid gold and gold plated/gold filled jewerly?
When we refer to Solid Gold Jewelry, it means that the entire piece is made entirely of the same gold alloy. Solid gold jewelry is renowned for its enduring beauty and lasting value. Its inherent qualities make it naturally hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin. Solid gold pieces are likely to withstand the test of time, retaining their shine and charm for generations.
In contrast, gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry, while more affordable, consists of a base metal coated with a thin layer of gold. While these pieces may be appealing due to their price, they are less durable and can easily tarnish, fade, or even lose their gold surface over time.
From a sustainability perspective, solid gold is the only option that retains enduring value. It can be easily recycled and can always easily be sold at any time if desired.
Solid Gold Jewelry, with its timeless elegance and durability, represents a lasting investment, a cherished heritage, and a symbol of enduring love and commitment.
Which qualities of Solid Gold exist, and which ones does NEN.X use?
The purity of gold is measured in karats. 24k gold has a purity of 99.9999% pure gold, meaning all 24 parts are pure gold. However, 24k gold is very soft and not durable enough for everyday jewellery; it's easy to bend, scratch, and reshape. To increase its durability, other materials such as silver and copper are melted together with pure gold to create a gold alloy. The most commonly used types of gold for premium jewellery are 14k and 18k solid gold.
14k/585 gold has a purity of 58.5% pure gold, while 18k/750 gold has a purity of 75% pure gold.
Many jewelry brands use materials with a much lower purity of gold, to allow for lower prices.
These are mostly gold alloys such as 8k and 10k gold, which are more likely to deteriorate as they contain more than 50% of other metals and less than 50% of gold.
10k gold has a purity of 41.7% pure gold, and 8k gold has a purity of only 33.3%.
At NEN.X, we currently use only 14k and 18k recycled solid gold, as we believe they offer the best balance of longevity and exclusivity.
Why do you use Solid Silver for special editions?
While most of our jewelry is made with Solid Gold, sometimes we create special editions, where we also like to use Solid Sterling Silver. Sterling silver jewelry can also last a lifetime and even longer with the proper care.
Sterling Silver is an alloy consisting of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals such as copper. This alloy provides stability, as pure silver is less durable and prone to tarnish over time or when exposed to certain chemicals, minerals, or humidity. When not wearing your jewelry, it's best to keep it clean and dry, and it's recommended to polish it with a microfiber cloth and store it in a dry and safe bag or box.
The advantage is that even if it tarnishes over time, there are several ways to clean your sterling silver piece and restore its shine. Social media platforms are full of tutorials to help you with this topic.