Our Materials

Our Materials

What we're made of

A piece you wear every day has to survive every day. Here is exactly what is in ours, and why it does not turn your skin green.

01

Stainless steel

Every Elle Existe piece starts with surgical grade stainless steel, an alloy of iron and chromium. The chromium is what matters: it forms an invisible layer that stops rust and corrosion before they start.

It contains no nickel released against the skin, which is why our pieces suit sensitive skin and why they do not leave a green mark. It is also one of the most recycled materials on earth, and it can be recycled endlessly without losing quality.

[316L] surgical steel base

02

Gold plating

Over that steel we lay [18k] gold, [2.5] microns thick. Most high street jewellery uses a fraction of that, which is why it fades in a season.

Thicker plating means a deeper colour, a slower wear rate, and a piece you can shower in, swim in and sleep in without watching it dull.

[18k] gold, [2.5] micron plating

03

Silver finish

Our silver pieces are the same surgical steel, finished with a [rhodium] plating for a cool, bright white that does not yellow.

Unlike sterling silver, it will not oxidise in a drawer, so it does not need polishing to stay bright.

[Rhodium] plated finish

What that means for you

Waterproof

Shower, sea, pool, rain. Water does not touch it.

Hypoallergenic

No nickel against your skin. Made for people who react to everything else.

Tarnish resistant

Built to handle salt, sweat and sunlight without dulling.

Looking after it

It is built to be worn without thinking. These four habits simply keep it looking new for longer.

  • 01Put it on last. Perfume, hairspray and lotion go on first, then your jewellery.
  • 02Wipe it down with a soft dry cloth when you take it off. Ten seconds, once a day.
  • 03Store pieces apart, in the pouch they arrived in, so chains do not scratch each other.
  • 04Skip harsh cleaners. Bleach, acetone and jewellery dips will strip any plating, including ours.

Made to be worn every day, for years, not for a season.

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