White starfish earrings with gold, coral and pearls

These earrings are a perfect example of artistic craftsmanship, inspired by the sea and nature. The ceramic stars are modeled from clay. The entire model is cut into two halves, emptied out of excess clay, and then closed again. This delicate operation gives the earring lightness and perfect portability.

The clay, white terracotta, is fired in a ceramic kiln at 1000°C. The second firing with colors and glazes takes place at 920°C. The fringed coral is true Mediterranean coral, harvested according to specific directives that safeguard the ecosystem. Small freshwater pearls enrich the earrings with brightness.

The decoration of the starfish is “third fired” gold, 18-carat gold on ceramic. With the third firing technique, liquid gold mixed with a diluent is applied with a brush to the already-fired ceramic and fired again at 720°C. The base of the earrings is a gold-plated brass hook. The plating is 1 micron of 24-carat gold, hypoallergenic as it excludes the use of nickel in the processing phases.

Gold Plating is widely used in jewelry making. A base metal is used, usually brass, and covered with gold (between 14 and 24 carats) using an electrical or chemical process. To determine the quality of a gold-plated jewel, the thickness of the applied gold must be considered, which is measured in microns.

The minimum amount is 0.3 microns and this amount is usually referred to as flash plating. The more microns used, the greater the strength and durability of the plating. Naturewit jewels have a 1-micron 24-carat gold plating which allows them to be worn for a long time while maintaining the same brilliance. This duration is also influenced by some external factors which can be controlled with some foresight and care.

So here are some tips to keep your plated jewel perfect over time:
-Keep it in a dry place, possibly in a soft case to avoid scratches.
-Do not take a bath or shower with it.
-Remove your jewelry during a sporting activity.
-Remove your jewelry before sleeping.
-Avoid contact with cosmetic products (soaps, perfumes, creams, ...)