Materials

At Oceans Etch, we are committed to creating jewellery that feels meaningful, durable, and consciously made. Every material is chosen with intention, balancing beauty, longevity, and responsible craftsmanship.

We focus on high-quality foundational metals and protective finishes designed to extend the life of each piece, supporting our philosophy of jewellery that is worn, loved, and kept.

925 Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is at the core of many Ocean Setch pieces.

We use 925 sterling silver, which is made up of:

92.5% pure silver
7.5% alloy metals (used to strengthen durability)

Pure silver is naturally too soft for everyday wear, so this alloy creates a stronger, more wearable material while maintaining its natural shine and beauty.

Sterling silver is also:

long-lasting when cared for properly
recyclable
suitable for everyday wear
able to be restored and polished over time

It is a timeless foundation metal that aligns with our commitment to longevity over disposability.

18k Gold Plating (2 Micron)

Our gold-plated pieces are finished with 18k gold plating at a 2 micron thickness.

A micron refers to the thickness of the gold layer applied to the surface of the jewellery. At 2 microns, our plating is significantly thicker than standard fashion jewellery plating, which is often only a fraction of a micron.

This means:

improved durability for everyday wear
a richer, longer-lasting gold tone
better resistance to fading with proper care
a higher quality finish compared to standard plated jewellery

Our goal is not disposable shine — but a warm, lasting finish designed to be worn repeatedly over time.

Nano-E Coating

To further protect our pieces, many designs are finished with a nano-e coating.

This ultra-thin protective layer is applied over the metal surface to help:

slow down natural tarnishing
reduce exposure to moisture and oils
extend the life of both silver and gold-plated finishes
maintain the appearance of the jewellery for longer

While no coating can make jewellery permanent, this additional layer supports longevity and helps your pieces stay closer to their original finish with mindful wear.

Natural Shell Fragments & Sea Glass

Some Oceans Etch pieces incorporate handpicked seashell fragments and sea glass, collected with care from natural coastal environments.

Our approach is intentional and respectful:

Seashell fragments are hand collected from local beaches, only when naturally broken or already detached on shore
Sea glass is gathered from pieces shaped and softened over time, including fragments originating from human-made materials returned to the ocean

These materials reflect transformation, from ocean, to time, to change, and finally into jewellery.

Each fragment carries its own imperfections, textures, and colour variations, making every piece completely unique. These natural markings are what give them depth, character, and meaning.

They are reminders that beauty often comes from change, and that even what was once discarded or broken can be reimagined into something meaningful.

Designed for Longevity

We design with the understanding that all jewellery naturally evolves over time.

Factors like:

skin chemistry
moisture
perfumes and lotions
everyday wear

will naturally influence how pieces age.

Our materials and finishes are chosen to slow this process and extend wearability — but we also believe in the beauty of jewellery that changes with you over time.

KRAFT Paper

At Oceans Etch, we're committed to making thoughtful choices that are kinder to the environment. While traditional jewellery boxes can look beautiful, they are often bulky, resource-intensive to produce, and frequently discarded after a single use. Instead, we’ve chosen recyclable kraft mailer boxes. Kraft packaging is made from recyclable materials and uses fewer coatings and plastics, making it easier to recycle and lower in environmental impact while still providing strong, protective packaging for your jewellery in transit.

Cotton + Linen

Inside each order, your piece is carefully placed in a reusable natural linen-cotton pouch. Made from a blend of 55% linen and 45% cotton, this fabric combines the best of both natural fibres: linen brings strength, breathability, and a naturally textured, low-impact material, while cotton adds softness and durability. Both fibres are biodegradable, and together they create a long-lasting pouch designed to be reused for storing your treasured pieces, rather than being thrown away.

By simplifying our packaging, we're able to reduce our environmental footprint while staying true to the natural beauty and sustainability values that inspire our brand. Every choice we make is guided by a desire to honour the ocean and the natural treasures that make each Oceans Etch piece unique.