About the metal materials used in Iloriere
Iloriere's accessories mainly use three types of metal. Each material has different characteristics and care methods, so we will introduce them to you.
table of contents
1. Silver 925
■Characteristics of silver925 material
Even if it is the same silver 925 material, the characteristics of the material will differ depending on the final finishing method. It can be broadly divided into three types, A, B, and C.
A. Nickel-based coating finish
Nickel coating on the base has the advantage of preventing discoloration, but it can also cause allergies. Most people with metal allergies are allergic to nickel.
● B. Coating finish without nickel undercoat
Irolier's gold color silver 925 material is made using this finishing method. K18 is used for the coating. Since it does not contain a nickel base, it can be used by people with nickel metal allergies. Discoloration is reduced compared to the uncoated material, but it is not a finish that will completely prevent discoloration, so maintenance is required.
● C. Silver 925 without any coating
The silver color of Irolier's silver 925 material is made using this finishing method. Since the color of the silver 925 material is left as it is, it has a whitish silver color.
This material does not contain any allergenic materials, so it can be used by people with metal allergies due to nickel. Compared to coated items, this material is more likely to darken, so care is required.
[About custom nickel undercoats]
Although adding nickel improves color retention, Iloriere places importance on allergy-friendly products, so we do not add nickel undercoat to our silver 925 products. If you are allergic and would like a nickel undercoat to improve color retention, we can make it to order.
For special orders, the delivery time is 1 month to 40 days. If you have any requests, please contact us using the inquiry form.
[About anti-tarnish coating]
At Iloriere, we apply an anti-tarnish coating to the surface of silver to minimize tarnishing of silver925 materials. This coating forms an anti-sulfide film on the surface of the silver through a chemical reaction, preventing tarnishing (sulfidation). The effectiveness of the coating varies depending on the frequency of use and the environment, but it will prevent tarnishing for about six months. We can also take your beloved Iloriere items and clean them to prevent tarnishing and re-coat them to prevent tarnishing.
The fee is ¥1,100 and the delivery time is 2 to 3 weeks. If you have any requests, please contact us using the inquiry form.
■How to care for silver925
K18 coating finish (gold colored products)
[Daily care after use]
Gently wipe with a soft cloth such as a glasses cleaning cloth. Do not use abrasive cloths for silver as they will remove the coating.
[Care instructions when discoloration occurs]
If you are concerned about stains or discoloration, use a neutral detergent. Dilute the neutral detergent in lukewarm water (about 40 degrees) and soak the accessory in it. Leave it for about 5 to 10 minutes and the dirt will float to the surface, then scrub it with a soft brush. After that, rinse thoroughly and wipe off the water well. You can use any detergent you normally use at home, such as dishwashing detergent.
When storing, please place in a zipper bag to prevent discoloration.
[About K18 coating]
Depending on how and how often you use it, the K18 coating may wear off due to friction, revealing the silver base. Iloriere products can be recoated for a fee.
*Coating fees vary depending on the item. Delivery time is 2-3 weeks.
If you have any requests, please contact us using the inquiry form.
Uncoated 925 silver (silver colored products)
[Daily care after use]
After use, wipe off any dirt on the surface with a soft cloth. If it is very dirty or if sweat has adhered to it, wash off the dirt and sweat with water or lukewarm water, then press a soft cloth against it to thoroughly wipe off any moisture and dry it. When storing, store in a zipper bag to prevent discoloration.
[ Care with silver cleaning solution】
If you are concerned about discoloration (darkening) caused by sulfide, we recommend using a silver cleaning solution.
① Place the accessory in the liquid for about 10 seconds.
② Rinse thoroughly with water
3) Wipe off any moisture with a towel and dry. When storing, place in a ziplock bag to prevent discoloration.
*For accessories with stones (natural stones or pearls), the rest of the jewelry can be immersed in the liquid, but the parts with stones cannot be immersed in the liquid as it may cause the stones to deteriorate. Apply the liquid to a cotton swab or toothbrush and gently rub the area around the stones.
You can purchase silver cleaning solution here .
2.K10
■Characteristics of K10 material
K10 has a high gold content of 42% and a high alloying ratio, so it can be purchased at a reasonable price compared to K18. Because it contains less gold, it has a soft, pale gold color that blends well with the skin. K10 is harder than high-purity gold and is less prone to scratches. Although it is less likely to tarnish than uncoated silver925 material, it contains less gold than K18, so there is a risk of tarnish (sulfidation) if left on. Sweat, sebum, bath salts, hot springs, etc. can cause tarnish (sulfidation), so it is best not to leave it on as much as possible and to take care of it.
■K10 Maintenance Instructions
[Care instructions when discoloration occurs]
3. Brass, alloy (titanium posts on earrings)
■ Characteristics of brass and alloy materials
The alloy used is a lead-free tin alloy. Brass is an alloy made by mixing copper and zinc. Both are very reasonably priced compared to silver925 and K10 materials. Irolier's accessories also use this material for heavy items and items that we want to keep costs down. Both are finished with a coating (plating), but the base contains nickel, which can cause allergies. It is possible to finish with nickel-free plating, but Irolier does not use it because it discolors significantly. As for the earrings, the post and back are made of titanium (which is less likely to cause metal allergies), but some people have allergic reactions when the plated parts come into contact with the skin. If you are worried about allergies, we recommend silver925 or K10 materials. If you are not worried about allergies, we highly recommend them because they are plated in Japan, have good color retention, and are reasonably priced!
■ How to care for brass and alloys
[Care instructions when discoloration occurs]
