Article updated, August 2026.
We know that every new Meadowlark piece is chosen with love and consideration, so we've put together a guide on the types of metals we use to help you when deciding on that forever piece.
At Meadowlark, we offer our mainline in sterling silver, 9ct yellow gold, gold vermeil and gold plate.
Our Ceremonial pieces are available in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct yellow and white gold or platinum.
A carat is defined as 1/24 parts pure gold, which means that 24-carat gold is considered pure gold. For example, 18ct gold consists of 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts alloy.
An alloy is the mixture of a precious metal with another metal to improve its overall properties. In jewellery, this allows us to change the hardness and colour of a metal.
The purity of gold can also be defined as 'fineness,' which is the amount of gold per 1,000 parts. To calculate this, we divide the amount of pure gold by 24 and multiply the rest by 1,000. For example, 9ct gold is 375 parts pure gold out of 1,000.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is stamped with either '925' or 'STG.' The 925 means the content of the sterling silver is 925 parts of 1000 or 92.5% of 100%. The remaining 7.5% is made up of other alloys - a mixture of two (or more) elements taken from the periodic table. For sterling silver, the alloys can include zinc, copper or nickel, however at Meadowlark, our sterling silver is nickel-free.
The reason sterling silver requires the mixture of other metals is because naturally, pure silver is soft and malleable. Adding other metals to the silver increases the hardness, making it more suitable and durable for use in jewellery.
Due to the presence of the alloy, sterling silver can tarnish over time, which is why it’s important to regularly clean and maintain sterling silver jewellery. The softness of sterling silver can also make it unsuitable to use with expensive gemstone settings, this is why we use gold or platinum for our Ceremonial pieces such as engagement rings and wedding bands as these metals have more hardness and durability.
Solid Gold and 9ct to 24ct
Yellow Gold: an alloy of gold and another metal, usually copper or zinc. It's the most hypoallergenic of the three gold alloys (white, yellow and rose), making it a great choice for sensitive skin.
9ct Gold: is 37.5% pure gold or 375 parts of 1,000 and is stamped with either '375' or '9ct'. Higher-carat gold is softer, more pliable and yellow-gold in tone whilst lower-carat gold, is harder, more durable and white in tone.
14ct Gold: is 58.5% pure gold and is stamped with either '585' or '14ct.' It strikes the happy medium between durability and beauty, tarnishing less than 9ct while holding up well to scratches.
18ct Gold: is 75% pure gold and is stamped with '750' or '18ct'. One of the purest and most premium options used in modern jewellery, it's usually reserved for high-end pieces such as diamond engagement rings. 18ct gold resists tarnish beautifully, though its softness means extra care is needed to avoid scratches.
24ct Gold: is pure gold, stamped '999' or '24ct'. It boasts an inimitable colour and shine, radiating a deep yellow - but its softness makes it prone to scratching and bending, rendering it impractical for everyday jewellery.
White Gold, Rhodium Plating and Platinum
White Gold: is made up of pure yellow gold mixed with silvery-white alloy metals such as palladium and silver. Over time, white gold can be prone to yellowing due to these alloys - rhodium plating is a good option to maintain a bright, white finish.
Rhodium Plating: We love our rings to show their natural metal colours, so at Meadowlark, we choose not to rhodium plate as standard - though we can do this by request. Traditionally, white gold is covered with rhodium plating for a bright, pure white finish. Rhodium is a bright silver metal from the platinum family; it's very expensive and used only in plating solutions, never as a solid metal in its own right. As rhodium is a plating only, it's worth considering wear over time - rhodium-plated white gold can yellow and may need occasional re-plating.
Platinum: is one of the rarest and most durable precious metals, with a bright white lustre that lasts. It resists tarnishing and discolouration, never fading over time, and its purity makes it naturally hypoallergenic - ideal for sensitive skin.
Gold Plate and Vermeil
Gold plate: refers to jewellery with a thin layer of gold applied over another metal, such as silver, copper or brass. To be labelled gold plated, the gold layer must be 0.5 microns or greater - at Meadowlark, our gold plated pieces have a 2 micron layer of 23-carat yellow gold over sterling silver.
Vermeil: (pronounced ver-may) is similar to gold plating, but the term specifically applies to sterling silver pieces plated with a thicker, 2.5 micron layer of gold. Vermeil gives noticeably better durability and longevity than standard gold plate. As of 2026, Meadowlark now exclusively offers vermeil plating.