The latest solutions in jewelry are nano-ceramic accessories that attract the attention of others and arouse genuine real interest. Did you know that this material is now being used in this area? A very interesting fact is that everyone associates ceramics with dishes, tiles, and elegant, versatile and beautiful figurines. But no one could even imagine that jewelry from such material could be made to be worn on one’s own body. That is, now these products are intended not only to diversify the interior, but also to embellish a woman or man.
On the shelves of modern jewelry stores you can see extraordinary and sophisticated accessories. And even if at first glance it seems to you that this is just clay, remember that it is unusual. Fashion dictates its own trends, so be individual and form your own out-of-the-box thinking - wear ceramic jewelry and throw it into the past:
- gold;
- silver;
- gems.
This material is not suitable for everyone, but only for those people who sincerely strive to be in trend and comply with newfangled trends. These accessories can only be worn by those designers who have implemented these unconventional solutions, as well as fashion designers who want to be the best among others, bold and bright, emphasizing their own individuality and style. Moreover, these people do not even pay attention to the opinions of others, because they demonstrate that they have their own opinion.
Jewelry ceramics: what is it?
The material is a product that has a number of advantages :
- reliability and durability (the strength of jewelry ceramics will not be affected by mechanical stress, ultraviolet radiation or moisture);
- a light weight;
- do not cause allergies to problem skin;
- do not break when dropped;
- spectacular appearance, fits well into different styles and is combined with gold, silver, platinum;
- suitable for any age;
- included in the unisex category, i.e. suitable for both women and men;
- do not heat up in the sun, withstand even the highest temperatures and do not melt in fire.
Ceramics were first used in jewelry in 1968 in the manufacture of wristwatches.
Technology for making ceramic jewelry
manufacturing process consists of the following stages:
- Ceramics, consisting of inorganic non-metallic materials, are ground into powder.
- Next, this powder is made solid using high pressure, due to which the accessory takes on the desired shape.
- After this, the workpiece is fired at a temperature of 1600˚C. This step is necessary for the material to oxidize. This allows you to create a shiny shell that will protect the product from chips, cracks and scratches.
- Then the workpiece is ground and polished so that it is strong and smooth. Thanks to the careful processing and properties of jewelry ceramics, the final product is strong and durable.
A little history
The ancient Greek word keramos means "potter's clay". According to the latest data from archaeologists, obtained in 2012 after excavations on the territory of present-day Croatia, man mastered pottery 17,500 years ago. In the everyday life of ancient people, decorations made from such an accessible natural material were no less common than dishes, but then they were forgotten for a long time, remaining only part of the national costume of the Indians and some other peoples. In the 1760s, when the English managed to create porcelain similar in quality to the famous Chinese, and in 1804, after the solemn coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte, cameo-shaped medallions and brooches came into fashion. Then a surge of interest in “homemade” accessories occurred in the late 1950s thanks to the “children of the sun” - the hippies.
Ceramic jewelry in archaeological finds
Vintage Wedgwood Jewelry
Ceramic hippie jewelry
Types of accessories
The range of ceramic jewelry is very diverse . Rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, watches, etc. are made from this material. The appearance of such material does not imply only one color - white. During manufacturing, pigments are added to the composition, thanks to which any shade can be achieved. The most popular decorations are basic neutral tones: black, milky, beige, powdery, etc.
During the creation process, the product goes through 30 different types of processing.
Jewelry can be combined with other materials: gold, silver, platinum. If you want to purchase rings made of jewelry ceramics with a precious stone, then it will definitely have a base of the listed elements and, accordingly, a higher price. A backing is necessary because the material has a high level of hardness, which does not allow decor to be fixed to it without the help of gold, silver or platinum.
How is jewelry ceramics made?
Those people who have never encountered accessories made of ceramic material are mistaken when they think that such jewelry is fragile and wearing them requires special care. Jewelry ceramics, due to their constituent elements, differ from those used to make kitchen products or other household items. The fact is that it is made using high-tech raw materials. And it is based on inorganic and non-metallic materials. To make jewelry, you first need to crush it, then compact it and then give it the required shape, and finally burn it, heating it in a special oven to a temperature of 1600 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the material can oxidize, and as a result of oxidation, a nano-strong and resistant material will be obtained.
As for the workpiece, after undergoing heat treatment, specialists use the following actions to create a piece of jewelry: they are adjusted to the exact size, and then they are ground and polished. Ceramics must go through about thirty processing steps in total, and the result will be a smooth and glossy surface. If you handle the item correctly, it will not lose its noble brightness and shine. The accessory will look impeccable for several decades and will delight its owner.
How to choose the right option
If you are planning to purchase a new accessory, it is recommended to pay attention to the following criteria :
- What kind of jewelry do you wear? If you have favorite earrings or rings, then your new purchase should match them, for example, by the color of the gemstone. You can also buy the kit right away, if possible.
- Age. For the youth option, light and thin products would be a good solution. For older ladies, dark colors with the addition of stones are suitable.
- Style. If you are looking for a piece of jewelry for every day, then you should choose it so that it matches your everyday wardrobe. To do this, you can choose discreet neutral shades of a pastel palette. If this is an accessory for going out, then bright colors and shiny stones will do.
- Color type of appearance. If you have dark hair, then it is advisable to choose appropriate colors. Light jewelry is suitable for blondes. A universal option is a pastel color scheme that matches any color type.
- Body type. Fragile girls are advised to opt for thin and elegant products, while tall ladies with a larger body will suit large options.
The technology for making jewelry products is completely different from creating dishes or souvenirs
What things to combine with and how to wear ceramic jewelry correctly
Accessories made from such modern material are not only unique, but also have charm and elegance. And the range of products that are presented on the market is simply off scale with its huge selection:
- rings;
- earrings;
- bracelets;
- watch;
- pendants;
- necklaces;
- other.
To make any of the things, experts use two types of ceramics - white and black. But they clarify that, if desired, you can add any dye you like to the material, and only for this reason, jewelers experiment as best they can and create masterpieces from various different colors and shades.
You can also combine ceramics with metals, for example, gold and silver. In this case, the material serves more as a kind of background that demonstrates all the luxury of precious stones. Moreover, from a huge assortment, any person will be able to choose a piece of jewelry that can be worn during the day as an everyday accessory, or choose a product for a business meeting, or as a festive and evening look.
When choosing ceramic jewelry, you should follow some smart rules:
- Product compatibility. Not every person and not always have the opportunity to buy an already prepared whole set, where every nuance is combined and suitable. For example, if you choose earrings, it is not always possible to buy rings, bracelets or necklaces to match them. Experts recommend that you should not combine pebbles of different colors. For example, when a large stone is inserted into earrings, then this style decision should be repeated in other products. That is, there is no room for disagreement.
- Age. Some of the light and fragile accessories would be more suitable for young girls. For example, these could be delicate flowers, cute insects or hearts, bows, stars, crescents. But older women should choose something more elegant and discreet. These can be large and powerful jewelry made of dark-colored ceramics.
- Wardrobe. If you take a closer look at the black and white classics, this one will most likely suit any look. And if you decide to buy something that contains colored paints, then you need to be careful. Accessories with blue colors will be a great addition to blue and green outfits. But if you are a fan of gray and blue colors, then jewelry with beige, brown or orange colors will most likely fit organically. Grayish clothing will perfectly complement the reddish or greenish tint of jewelry. As for massive accessories, it is better to combine them with dresses of a rustic cut made of smooth fabric materials and without decor, images, or ornaments.
- Color type. As you know, women love to change their appearance with their hair. So, if you are a brunette or brown-haired woman, then most likely it is better for you to wear jewelry made of black ceramics. But for girls with blond hair, thin things are suitable, for example, even if they are dark in color, but of modest size. Accessories in snow-white colors or pastel shades will suit absolutely any person.
- Figure. Under no circumstances should you be guided by the principle of opposites. The fact is that there are luxurious young ladies who would suit some of the massive accessories, and there are thin ones who prefer to highlight their sophisticated forms. For those women who are so graceful, it is better to choose a discreet type of jewelry. The fact is that massiveness against their background will simply lose and will not make them stand out from the crowd, but on the contrary, the products will look rude and ugly. But those who are brighter, taller, larger, should think about buying bulky jewelry. Thin, long-looking chains and elegant pendants are suitable for thin girls.
Caring for ceramic jewelry
Accessories made from this material do not require careful maintenance . To ensure that they retain their original appearance longer and do not accumulate dirt, it is enough to rinse them with water and then wipe with a dry cloth. It is recommended to purchase a separate box for the product.
In order not to spoil the protective gloss, jewelry should be kept away from hot air and chemical compounds, so when cleaning the ring it is advisable to remove or use rubber gloves. They also need to be protected from contact with cosmetics so that the surface does not become dull and discolored.
We recommend watching a video on how to make simple ceramic earrings. Please note that the video is in English, you can turn on subtitles in the video settings or just enjoy such a variety of different ceramic earrings:
Main features of ceramic products
Jewelry made from this material is often not capable of causing an allergic reaction or irritation to the skin. To a greater extent, ceramics is considered a lightweight material, as a result of which a person can pick up some massive precious item and not be afraid that this item will pull off the skin (for example, if a woman chooses earrings).
Ceramics is also a practical and durable material, and therefore, a person needs to make special efforts to leave any scratches, chips or cracks, or abrasions on the surface. If you think that this is a fragile material, then you are mistaken, because even metal is inferior to ceramics. Another feature of such products is that when firing is done, a strong protective layer is usually formed on the workpiece. Thanks to this layer, according to the famous Mohs scale (hardness), ceramics were awarded nine out of ten maximum points. Jewelry experts compare the strength to sapphire glass.