Materials & Care

925 Sterling Silver

Every piece Lou makes starts as solid 925 sterling silver — 92.5% pure silver alloyed with copper for strength. It's the international standard for fine silver jewellery. Won't flake. Won't peel. Won't turn your finger green. Sterling silver develops a natural patina over time, which most people prefer. If you want it bright, a quick polish brings it back.

24ct Gold Plate

Lou's gold pieces are sterling silver underneath, plated with 24 carat gold. Not 14K, not 18K — 24ct, the purest gold available for plating. The process: each piece is cast in silver, hand-finished, then sent to a specialist plater in Adelaide for a double-layer gold finish. Double-layered means it lasts longer than single-pass plating. With normal wear, expect the gold to hold for 1-2 years before needing a replate — which Lou offers at cost.

Gemstones

All stones are natural, not lab-created. Lou works with sapphires (blue, pink, green, yellow), blue topaz, garnet, onyx, cubic zirconia, and more. Stones are hand-set into each piece after casting. If you have a specific gemstone in mind for a custom piece, ask — if Lou can source it, he'll set it.

The Process

Every ring, pendant, chain and bracelet is made using lost-wax casting. Lou carves or 3D-models the piece, creates a wax, invests it in plaster, burns out the wax, and pours molten silver into the cavity. After casting: filing, sanding, engraving, polishing, stone setting, and quality checks. One piece at a time. No shortcuts.

Care Instructions

Sterling silver: Store in the pouch it came in. Avoid prolonged contact with water, perfume, and chlorine. Polish with a silver cloth when it dulls. That's it.

Gold plate: Same as silver, but be gentler. Remove before swimming, showering, or gym. The gold layer is thin by nature — treat it well and it'll last. When it eventually wears, Lou offers replating.

Gemstones: Avoid knocking set stones against hard surfaces. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush. No ultrasonic cleaners on plated pieces.

Lou's Standards

Every piece is inspected before it ships. If Lou wouldn't wear it, it doesn't leave the workshop. Lifetime guarantee on structural integrity — if it breaks under normal wear, send it back. Free engraving on every piece, always. Ring sizer included in every order so you get the fit right first time.