The latest solutions in jewelry are nano-ceramic accessories that attract the attention of others and arouse genuine real interest. Did you know that this material is now being used in this area? A very interesting fact is that everyone associates ceramics with dishes, tiles, and elegant, versatile and beautiful figurines. But no one could even imagine that jewelry from such material could be made to be worn on one’s own body. That is, now these products are intended not only to diversify the interior, but also to embellish a woman or man.
On the shelves of modern jewelry stores you can see extraordinary and sophisticated accessories. And even if at first glance it seems to you that this is just clay, remember that it is unusual. Fashion dictates its own trends, so be individual and form your own out-of-the-box thinking - wear ceramic jewelry and throw it into the past:
- gold;
- silver;
- gems.
This material is not suitable for everyone, but only for those people who sincerely strive to be in trend and comply with newfangled trends. These accessories can only be worn by those designers who have implemented these unconventional solutions, as well as fashion designers who want to be the best among others, bold and bright, emphasizing their own individuality and style. Moreover, these people do not even pay attention to the opinions of others, because they demonstrate that they have their own opinion.
How is jewelry ceramics made?
Those people who have never encountered accessories made of ceramic material are mistaken when they think that such jewelry is fragile and wearing them requires special care. Jewelry ceramics, due to their constituent elements, differ from those used to make kitchen products or other household items. The fact is that it is made using high-tech raw materials. And it is based on inorganic and non-metallic materials. To make jewelry, you first need to crush it, then compact it and then give it the required shape, and finally burn it, heating it in a special oven to a temperature of 1600 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the material can oxidize, and as a result of oxidation, a nano-strong and resistant material will be obtained.
As for the workpiece, after undergoing heat treatment, specialists use the following actions to create a piece of jewelry: they are adjusted to the exact size, and then they are ground and polished. Ceramics must go through about thirty processing steps in total, and the result will be a smooth and glossy surface. If you handle the item correctly, it will not lose its noble brightness and shine. The accessory will look impeccable for several decades and will delight its owner.
Ceramics: a new word in jewelry art
The combination of materials and textures that has become fashionable, the combination of the simple and the emphatically sophisticated, has elevated ceramics to the ranks of the most popular materials in jewelry. Stylish and laconic, it becomes an excellent backdrop for displaying precious and semi-precious stones and goes equally well with gold and silver.
We will tell you what will be interesting to know for any buyer of ceramic jewelry.
How ceramics are made
First and most importantly: despite the same name, ceramics for jewelry and ceramics for tiles and dishes are completely different things.
For the production of jewelry, high-tech ceramics are used, which are made from inorganic, non-metallic materials. They are crushed into powder and compacted under high pressure, acquiring the desired shape.
The resulting workpiece is fired in a special furnace at a temperature of about 1600˚C. As a result, the ceramics oxidizes, forming a durable protective coating. The product then goes through 30 processing steps, including grinding and polishing. Thanks to this, the surface of the products becomes glossy and acquires an impeccable appearance that lasts for many years.
Jewelers and watchmakers value the material for its light weight, resistance to external influences, elegance and durability.
Features of ceramic jewelry
High-tech ceramics are ideal for jewelry making and have many advantages.
Hypoallergenic
Even people who are sensitive to metals can wear this jewelry. The risk of allergic reactions to ceramic products is minimal.
Durability
Fragile at first glance, ceramics are actually a durable, wear-resistant material. The special coating that the product acquires during firing has the strength of sapphire glass. Out of 10 points on the Mohs hardness scale, the fashionable material is awarded an honorable 9 points.
This means that ceramic jewelry is unlikely to break; it is not afraid of scratches and abrasions, which metal products are not insured against.
Stylish and elegance
The discreet elegance of ceramics is often preferred to the shine of gold or silver. A wide range of shades opens up new design possibilities. And yet the black and white classic remains a favorite.
Ceramic products can be laconic and formal, organically complement everyday and business looks, or become exquisite accessories for evening dresses.
Ceramic care
As mentioned above, ceramics is a strong and durable material. This means that the jewelry will look perfect for many years if you follow the most basic rules of care.
Simply wipe the products with a damp cloth and then dry with a microfiber cloth or soft, lint-free cloth. It is also recommended to store them in a separate slot of the box so that the ceramic jewelry does not touch each other.
Ceramic products are contraindicated from exposure to high temperatures and chemicals that can damage and discolor the upper protective layer of the material. Also, you should not experiment and test the jewelry for strength: serious mechanical stress can lead to chips.
Main features of ceramic products
Jewelry made from this material is often not capable of causing an allergic reaction or irritation to the skin. To a greater extent, ceramics is considered a lightweight material, as a result of which a person can pick up some massive precious item and not be afraid that this item will pull off the skin (for example, if a woman chooses earrings).
Ceramics is also a practical and durable material, and therefore, a person needs to make special efforts to leave any scratches, chips or cracks, or abrasions on the surface. If you think that this is a fragile material, then you are mistaken, because even metal is inferior to ceramics. Another feature of such products is that when firing is done, a strong protective layer is usually formed on the workpiece. Thanks to this layer, according to the famous Mohs scale (hardness), ceramics were awarded nine out of ten maximum points. Jewelry experts compare the strength to sapphire glass.
A little history
The ancient Greek word keramos means "potter's clay". According to the latest data from archaeologists, obtained in 2012 after excavations on the territory of present-day Croatia, man mastered pottery 17,500 years ago. In the everyday life of ancient people, decorations made from such an accessible natural material were no less common than dishes, but then they were forgotten for a long time, remaining only part of the national costume of the Indians and some other peoples. In the 1760s, when the English managed to create porcelain similar in quality to the famous Chinese, and in 1804, after the solemn coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte, cameo-shaped medallions and brooches came into fashion. Then a surge of interest in “homemade” accessories occurred in the late 1950s thanks to the “children of the sun” - the hippies.
Ceramic jewelry in archaeological finds
Vintage Wedgwood Jewelry
Ceramic hippie jewelry
What things to combine with and how to wear ceramic jewelry correctly
Accessories made from such modern material are not only unique, but also have charm and elegance. And the range of products that are presented on the market is simply off scale with its huge selection:
- rings;
- earrings;
- bracelets;
- watch;
- pendants;
- necklaces;
- other.
To make any of the things, experts use two types of ceramics - white and black. But they clarify that, if desired, you can add any dye you like to the material, and only for this reason, jewelers experiment as best they can and create masterpieces from various different colors and shades.
You can also combine ceramics with metals, for example, gold and silver. In this case, the material serves more as a kind of background that demonstrates all the luxury of precious stones. Moreover, from a huge assortment, any person will be able to choose a piece of jewelry that can be worn during the day as an everyday accessory, or choose a product for a business meeting, or as a festive and evening look.
When choosing ceramic jewelry, you should follow some smart rules:
- Product compatibility. Not every person and not always have the opportunity to buy an already prepared whole set, where every nuance is combined and suitable. For example, if you choose earrings, it is not always possible to buy rings, bracelets or necklaces to match them. Experts recommend that you should not combine pebbles of different colors. For example, when a large stone is inserted into earrings, then this style decision should be repeated in other products. That is, there is no room for disagreement.
- Age. Some of the light and fragile accessories would be more suitable for young girls. For example, these could be delicate flowers, cute insects or hearts, bows, stars, crescents. But older women should choose something more elegant and discreet. These can be large and powerful jewelry made of dark-colored ceramics.
- Wardrobe. If you take a closer look at the black and white classics, this one will most likely suit any look. And if you decide to buy something that contains colored paints, then you need to be careful. Accessories with blue colors will be a great addition to blue and green outfits. But if you are a fan of gray and blue colors, then jewelry with beige, brown or orange colors will most likely fit organically. Grayish clothing will perfectly complement the reddish or greenish tint of jewelry. As for massive accessories, it is better to combine them with dresses of a rustic cut made of smooth fabric materials and without decor, images, or ornaments.
- Color type. As you know, women love to change their appearance with their hair. So, if you are a brunette or brown-haired woman, then most likely it is better for you to wear jewelry made of black ceramics. But for girls with blond hair, thin things are suitable, for example, even if they are dark in color, but of modest size. Accessories in snow-white colors or pastel shades will suit absolutely any person.
- Figure. Under no circumstances should you be guided by the principle of opposites. The fact is that there are luxurious young ladies who would suit some of the massive accessories, and there are thin ones who prefer to highlight their sophisticated forms. For those women who are so graceful, it is better to choose a discreet type of jewelry. The fact is that massiveness against their background will simply lose and will not make them stand out from the crowd, but on the contrary, the products will look rude and ugly. But those who are brighter, taller, larger, should think about buying bulky jewelry. Thin, long-looking chains and elegant pendants are suitable for thin girls.
Jewelry ceramics today
In the 1980s, high-tech ceramics appeared. It was used - and is still used to this day - in instrument making for the needs of the military, aerospace and automotive industries, as well as medicine. Ceramics are a new type of materials with special strength called because they are obtained by sintering various minerals at high temperatures.
“High-tech” ceramics came to the attention of jewelers in 1986, when the Swiss watch company Rado released the world’s first watch with a ceramic case and bracelet. And in 2000, the house of Chanel presented a collection of Ultra ceramic jewelry with diamonds - bracelets, earrings, rings, pendants. Thus, the material with an ancient name and innovative formula finally secured its status in fashion circles.
The main “ingredient” of jewelry ceramics is powdered zirconium oxide. The firing temperature is almost 1,500 degrees Celsius, and this process lasts at least two days. After firing, the product is polished so that it retains its smoothness and spectacular matte shine for many years. Jewelry ceramics are combined with a variety of materials: precious metals (gold, silver), precious and semi-precious stones, cubic zirconia, steel, carbon, glass, wood and genuine leather.
Etro, spring-summer 2017
Valentino, spring-summer 2021
Tory Burch, spring-summer 2016
How to properly care for accessories made from ceramics
Every owner of ceramic jewelry has probably thought more than once about how to make sure that the jewelry does not lose its glossy, beautiful shine. Experts recommend using very light techniques for caring for accessories. First, you need to apply one of the creams or lotions to your arms, neck, and décolleté. Secondly, if you want to wear a ceramic tiara, you can use hairsprays and gels. These products will not negatively affect the surface of the jewelry in any way. They will not make your products dull or unattractive, and they will not require additional cleaning.
All you need to remember is that when cleaning with powder, paste or gel for washing, cleaning or washing, you should use it with extreme caution. Such products are aggressive and belong to the chemical category, where the substances negatively affect all upper layers and can even discolor the ceramic surface. You just need to take a simple wet napkin to clean the accessories, and then a regular dry soft one. It is important not to use fabric materials with lint or microfiber cloths. These materials will not provide proper care and you will only be wasting your own time.
