High costume jewellery (“Haute-fantaisie”) typically refers to Costume jewellery (as “Fantaisie”) that is of higher quality, often featuring more intricate designs, finer materials, and much better craftsmanship compared to standard costume jewellery.

This term is used to denote costume jewellery pieces that are much more luxurious, sophisticated, and sometimes even designed by well-known designers or brands.

It bridges the gap between Costume jewellery and Fine jewellery, offering stylish and fashionable accessories at a more affordable price point.

High costume jewellery often showcases intricate and attractive designs, crafted from materials such as common metals (like copper, bronze, and brass) and plated variants incorporating precious metals (like silver and gold).
It also incorporates synthetic gemstones, natural gemstones with lower valuation, and widely available materials like glass, wood, and ceramic beads.

In comparison, Fine jewellery is crafted from solid and precious metals, adorned with genuine gemstones, precious stones, or rare beads, showcasing superior craftsmanship and lasting value.

The Silver 925 line from My Little Winter Factory exemplifies this refined craftsmanship and enduring allure.

A plated metal refers to a base metal, such as copper, brass, or steel, that has been coated with a thin layer of another metal, typically a precious metal like gold or silver.

This plating process is often used to enhance the appearance of the base metal, providing it with properties such as increased durability, corrosion resistance, or a more aesthetically pleasing finish.

However, it's important to note that plated metals can wear off over time, revealing the base metal beneath if not properly taken care of.

Please refer to the instructions in the "Love and Care" section for recommendations on how to extend the longevity of your high costume jewellery.

Gold-filled jewellery, often abbreviated as "GF" or "G.F.", is created by bonding a thick layer of gold alloy to a base metal core, typically brass or copper, using a process involving heat and pressure.

The gold layer in gold-filled jewellery is generally thicker than that of gold-plated jewellery, making it more durable and longer-lasting.
For gold-filled classification, the gold layer must make up at least 5% of the item's total weight. In many instances, gold-filled jewellery contains a considerably higher gold content, often ranging from 5% to 10%, although this can vary depending on the manufacturer.

Gold-filled jewellery offers many of the visual and aesthetic qualities of solid gold jewellery at a more accessible price point. It is resistant to tarnishing and wear, and with proper care, it can endure for many years.
However, it's important to note that gold-filled jewellery is not equivalent to solid gold and may eventually wear down over time, particularly with exposure to harsh chemicals.

Within the Byzance and the Marie-Toinette collections from My Little Winter Factory, you'll discover a selection of exquisite gold-filled jewellery pieces.

Solid silver, also known as Sterling silver, is a precious metal alloy comprised of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper.
It is valued for its lustrous appearance, durability, and versatility in jewellery making.
Solid silver items are often marked with a hallmark to indicate their purity and authenticity.

Solid gold refers to gold that is in its purest form without any other metals mixed in. It is highly valued for its beauty, rarity, and resistance to tarnishing.
Solid gold is typically available in various karats, with 24 karat gold being the purest form (100% gold).
Solid gold jewellery is often marked with a karat stamp to indicate its purity level, with 24K, 18K, 14K, and 10K being common variations.

The values used on My Little Winter Factory items:
In France, the metric carat system is no longer used to measure gold purity. Instead, it is typically expressed as a fraction or percentage of pure gold content in the alloy.

For example, a common gold purity standard in France is 750/1000, which means the gold alloy contains 750 parts pure gold out of 1000 parts total.

• 750/1000 gold, also known as 18 karat gold, contains 75% pure gold and 25% other metals.

• 585/1000 gold, also known as 14 karat gold, contains 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other metals.

• 375/1000 gold, also known as 9 karat gold, contains 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% other metals.
  

These fractions or percentages are often stamped onto gold jewellery to indicate its purity level. For example, a gold ring may be marked "750" or "18k" to signify that it is 18 karat gold.

☆ My Little Winter Factory jewellery is guaranteed nickel-, lead- and cadmium-free.

An important point to note: the inclusion of nickel in alloys was prohibited in Europe in 2000.

☆ For very sensitive skin, consider hypoallergenic metals like

• Silver 925

• Gold-filled

• high karat gold alloys

It's important to understand that oxidation on metals is a totally normal occurrence and doesn't correlate with an individual's sensitivity or allergy level.

Moreover, it's essential to note that the occurrence of oxidation on metals does not diminish the quality of the metal in any way, and it is not harmful to your health.

In dry air, even tarnishing takes place quite slowly; however, with the usual atmosphere around us, the humidity accelerates the tarnishing process.

Perfumes, shampoos, and other body products have the potential to influence the oxidation process of jewellery.

BRASS
The oxidation of brass occurs when it reacts with oxygen in the air, resulting in a tarnished appearance. This tarnishing can range from a dark brown to a greenish patina, depending on the specific alloy and environmental conditions.

BRONZE
The oxidation of bronze also occurs when it reacts with oxygen in the air, resulting in the formation of a protective layer called a patina. This patina typically appears as a greenish-brown or dark brown coating on the surface of bronze items.

COPPER
When copper interacts with oxygen in the air, it undergoes oxidation, resulting in the creation of a greenish patina referred to as verdigris, which is also used as an aesthetic patina.

SILVER
The oxidation of silver happens when it reacts with oxygen or sulfur compounds in the air, resulting in tarnishing and a dull appearance.

GOLD
The oxidation of solid gold is minimal due to its high resistance to elements.

Lets talk about the patina!
Some find patina desirable for its aesthetic appeal and vintage touch.

This is the case with the NEON collection from My Little Winter Factory.

To sum it up
Oxidizable metals include:

• Brass

• Bronze

• Copper

• Silver 925 (commonly referred to as "tarnish")

and non-oxidizable metals include:

• Resistant galvanic gilding (rarely used for My Little Winter Factory jewellery and always indicated)

• Gilded with 24K fine gold (less than 3 microns thick)

• Plated with 24K fine gold (3 microns thick)

• Gold-filled 14K

• Solid gold

• other metals: palladium, rhodium, titanium, platinum, stainless steel, and Argentium silver.

It's crucial to differentiate between "oxidation" and "corrosion."

Oxidation primarily involves electron loss, resulting in surface changes like tarnishing, while corrosion encompasses broader material degradation resulting from chemical reactions. That is also why it is recommended not to use harsh chemicals for cleaning any jewellery.

Tarnishing does not compromise the structural integrity of the material.

ALLERGIES
If your skin reacts to a specific metal, applying a thin layer of transparent nail polish enables you to continue wearing your favourite jewellery.
This acts as a barrier, preventing direct contact between the jewellery and your skin. However, it's important to note that this solution needs to be reapplied periodically.

OXIDATION/TARNISHING
Polishing and maintaining your jewellery can effectively manage the superficial layer of oxidation and uphold its appearance.

My personal tips for SILVER jewellery care:
When I leave my silver jewellery outside of its pouch over time, it tarnishes due to the humidity in the air. However, as soon as I protect it from light and air by storing it, that process stops.

Wearing it can also prevent tarnishing: by wearing my silver jewellery after my morning beauty routine and setting it aside before my evening beauty routine, tarnishing doesn't occur. Bear in mind that the chemistry of the skin varies for each individual.

The cloths for silver that I utilise in my extensive jewellery practice: the Hagerty Silver Polishing Cloth A116020 and the Sterling Silver Polishing Cloth SØLV PUDSEKLUD by the well-known Danish Sterling Polish Company, favoured by many jewellers from Scandinavia.

In a nutshell, give your jewellery lots of love, and it'll sparkle right back at you ♡