Ceramic jewelry is a jewelry trend in recent years. Combining natural and high-tech materials, the OKAMI brand creates jewelry and watches in a sophisticated and slightly ascetic Japanese style. The brand's new summer collection is made of black and white ceramics with silver and cubic zirconia inserts. We took a look at how the lookbook was filmed, were inspired by the philosophy of the brand and wanted to figure out why ceramics are so in demand today.
Alexander Stein, an expert at the SUNLIGHT jewelry chain, where the OKAMI brand is exclusively represented , tells why everyone loves ceramics so much and what jewelry is in fashion now.
Benefits of ceramics
- It is hard, like diamond or tungsten carbide.
- Does not scratch, does not chip, and does not wear off during wear.
- Does not cause allergies.
- Very light. It is inferior in weight to tungsten, which makes wearing such rings comfortable and almost invisible.
- Durable, durable.
- Beautiful. Matte shine and the ability to be painted in different colors allow you to create a variety of models. So far, rings are most often made in white and black, but in the future it is possible to add pigments of various colors and shades to the mixture for making rings. Ceramics does not fade or change color.
- Rings made of ceramics are cheaper than the same products made of precious metals.
This material is rightfully considered one of the most promising. And the scope of its application has only expanded over the years.
Is it possible to set precious stones into ceramics?
Precious stones can be used, but this is not particularly practical, since the material is extremely hard, and in order to set diamonds or sapphires, a backing of gold or silver is needed. Without it, the stone may fall out. Of course, you can insert cubic zirconia, but it’s a pity to insert a diamond.
Famous brands
- "Chanel".
- Guy Laroche.
- "Cartier".
- "Dior".
- Damiani.
- "Lancaster".
- Adagio.
- Okami (Japan).
- Baraka (Italy).
The Chanel fashion house revolutionized the fashion world in 2000 by starting to use ceramics to create jewelry. The Ultra series consists of black and white ceramic rings with pavé diamonds. Coco Chanel's favorite elements, the stars, sparkle against an unexpected background - snowy white or black, enhancing the effect of the glitter of the precious stones.
Guy Laroche uses gems to create the Ceramic line, which are uniquely combined with a ceramic base. Citrines, amethysts or topazes look elegant and original.
The French company has released a line of ceramic rings for men, Mailon Panthure Ceramic. All products are created in art decor style. Having such a ring on your hand is a sign of good taste.
The French company also uses ceramic parts to create its watches and jewelry.
The Italian brand Damiani always stays ahead of fashion trends. Their white and black ceramic products feature their logo, the letter D, set with precious stones. There are two options: gold insert with one diamond or pavé.
The American brand Adajio, which is known for its cobalt products, produces ceramic rings. They can be found in the Black Diamonds Ceramic collection.
Italian, which produces products for men, follows the latest innovations in the field of modern technology. Therefore, its designers could not ignore the new composition. They introduced more than one ceramic ring into their collection.
How are rings made from jewelry ceramics?
The basis for creating ceramics is zirconium oxide, crushed to a powder state. It is mixed with liquid to form a thick paste from which the ring is made.
- The mixture is poured into a blank mold and pressed under pressure.
- The filled form is sent to an oven heated to a temperature of over 1500℃.
- During the “cooking” process, zirconium oxide oxidizes even more, releasing a number of chemical elements.
- These elements form a film on the surface that protects the product from mechanical damage.
- At the final stage of production, grinding and polishing of the coating is done.
The result is a durable and wear-resistant material with a smooth surface and a delicate glossy sheen.
In terms of durability, ceramic analogs are even superior to products made from precious metals. They are ways to keep things new for decades.
Reviews
Reviews of black ceramic rings indicate that the products are very comfortable to wear. Warm, pleasant to the touch. Very smooth from the inside. It is not surprising, because they are carefully polished. Their color resembles hematite stone, but several tones darker. Users advise wearing such rings with other black jewelry.
Rings usually have a silver or gold insert that houses one or more precious or semi-precious stones. Buyers are concerned about the strength of the attachment of this attachment, which adorns the ceramic ring. Reviews from some buyers say that from a distance, ceramic rings resemble teenage products from the time of their youth. Of course, the difference between them and real products made from high-quality ceramics is huge. But not everyone can tell a diamond from glass or ceramics from plastic at a glance. Quality items are not always flashy. And gold jewelry with rubies, which the grandmothers of modern fashionistas and stylish young men were so proud of, are slowly being pushed aside by new materials and technologies. The same gold or silver looks original with ceramic inserts. They are durable, do not wear out, do not fall off.
User reviews indicate that the rings do not lose their appearance when worn. Such original jewelry looks great on the hand. Users advise purchasing ceramic rings for anyone who loves something original. They say that increased interest in your jewelry is guaranteed. But this is precisely what jewelry is bought for, to make the owner stand out from the crowd and make him noticeable.
Ceramics: a new word in jewelry art
The combination of materials and textures that has become fashionable, the combination of the simple and the emphatically sophisticated, has elevated ceramics to the ranks of the most popular materials in jewelry. Stylish and laconic, it becomes an excellent backdrop for displaying precious and semi-precious stones and goes equally well with gold and silver.
We will tell you what will be interesting to know for any buyer of ceramic jewelry.
How ceramics are made
First and most importantly: despite the same name, ceramics for jewelry and ceramics for tiles and dishes are completely different things.
For the production of jewelry, high-tech ceramics are used, which are made from inorganic, non-metallic materials. They are crushed into powder and compacted under high pressure, acquiring the desired shape.
The resulting workpiece is fired in a special furnace at a temperature of about 1600˚C. As a result, the ceramics oxidizes, forming a durable protective coating. The product then goes through 30 processing steps, including grinding and polishing. Thanks to this, the surface of the products becomes glossy and acquires an impeccable appearance that lasts for many years.
Jewelers and watchmakers value the material for its light weight, resistance to external influences, elegance and durability.
Features of ceramic jewelry
High-tech ceramics are ideal for jewelry making and have many advantages.
Hypoallergenic
Even people who are sensitive to metals can wear this jewelry. The risk of allergic reactions to ceramic products is minimal.
Durability
Fragile at first glance, ceramics are actually a durable, wear-resistant material. The special coating that the product acquires during firing has the strength of sapphire glass. Out of 10 points on the Mohs hardness scale, the fashionable material is awarded an honorable 9 points.
This means that ceramic jewelry is unlikely to break; it is not afraid of scratches and abrasions, which metal products are not insured against.
Stylish and elegance
The discreet elegance of ceramics is often preferred to the shine of gold or silver. A wide range of shades opens up new design possibilities. And yet the black and white classic remains a favorite.
Ceramic products can be laconic and formal, organically complement everyday and business looks, or become exquisite accessories for evening dresses.
Ceramic care
As mentioned above, ceramics is a strong and durable material. This means that the jewelry will look perfect for many years if you follow the most basic rules of care.
Simply wipe the products with a damp cloth and then dry with a microfiber cloth or soft, lint-free cloth. It is also recommended to store them in a separate slot of the box so that the ceramic jewelry does not touch each other.
Ceramic products are contraindicated from exposure to high temperatures and chemicals that can damage and discolor the upper protective layer of the material. Also, you should not experiment and test the jewelry for strength: serious mechanical stress can lead to chips.
Form
Ceramic rings vary in shape, but some noticeable trends can be identified. Most often they have the usual shape for us, 8 mm wide. Many companies, like Damiani, leave their logo inside the ring.
Often rings are decorated around the perimeter. Sometimes inserts are placed in parallel in several rows.
You can see a decoration consisting of two thin ceramic rings. They are connected to each other with a special clamp. When worn, it hides inside the palm. Typically these items are decorated with tracks of precious stones.
Sometimes two rings are connected by an outer insert of precious metals with stones.
Types of ceramic rings
Rings can be all-ceramic or contain additional materials (gems and fragments of gold, silver or platinum). Based on their design, the following types of ceramic rings are distinguished:
- classic – smooth bezel without additional decor;
- figured - models with a faceted surface, recesses, cuts, metal inserts;
- with ornament – the surface is decorated with patterned carvings;
- with inlay - the most popular solitaire rings with one stone, but products with small scattering or several large inlays also have an audience.
The range of ceramic jewelry at the moment is already decent, and it continues to increase every day. It is easy to find rings of different sizes and with original decorative designs on sale.
The color range is limited to black, white and soft pink.
This is one of the reasons why ceramic products are so easy to combine with your wardrobe. Black and white and pastel colors are considered the standard of versatility.
Wedding rings
The popularity of ceramic rings is evidenced by the fact that even wedding rings are made from this material. Ceramics makes them light, durable, reliable and, at the same time, original. The glossy shine of such rings gives them a noble appearance.
These are special sets made in the same style. Rings for the bride and groom may differ in size and color.
There are products that are given to each other upon engagement. This ceramic ring with diamonds will tell the bride about the groom’s feelings without words.
What are the benefits of ceramics in jewelry?
Ceramics does not oxidize and has high hardness. By going through a multi-stage polishing (or satin) process, ceramic jewelry takes on a noble appearance and retains it incomparably longer than jewelry made from any metal. Plus, jewelry ceramics do not contain chromium or nickel and other heavy metals that can cause an allergic reaction.
Stylish solution: 5 ceramic jewelry for those who are on trend
The new fashion season is a great opportunity to experiment. Jewelry designers advise us to add unusual textures and materials to our looks, and the most relevant of them will be ceramics. Let's take a closer look at the trend.
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Classic black
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Elegant black color is good for its versatility. It is ideal not only for strict looks, but also fits into evening outfits, basic everyday sets, total black and total white looks, and even daring outfits in the glam rock style.
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This season, black jewelry is especially relevant. But in addition to classic models with inserts of semi-precious black stones, designers offer to wear more accent accessories - large in size and geometric shapes.
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And this is where products made from alternative materials come to our rescue. While plastic is popular in jewelry, ceramics are most often used in jewelry. Its glossy surface is resistant to damage and adds shine to the entire look. And due to its light weight, even voluminous jewelry will not cause inconvenience when worn.
Bright accent
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If your soul asks for color, you should pay attention to accessories made of bright ceramics. Thanks to a special creation technology, this material can be of all colors of the rainbow.
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When choosing, we suggest focusing on the palette proposed by the Pantone Color Institute. Life-affirming yellow, rich blue, mint green or delicate pink - all these colors are relevant in 2022.
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Such an accessory will become a bright accent in the image, and due to precious metals and inserts it will always look elegant, unlike costume jewelry. Remember that colored jewelry does not have to be in the same colors as clothing and other details of the image.
See also: The main colors of spring - how to fit them into your wardrobe >>>
Try playing with contrasting or complementary combinations that harmoniously emphasize each other. For example, yellow looks great with purple shades, green will effectively complement red, and blue can be worn with clothes in orange tones.
In the shine of stones
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Combining materials and textures has become one of the main trends of the year, not only in clothing, but also in jewelry. And this took ceramic products to a new level. Such a stylish and laconic material is an advantageous backdrop for shiny jewelry metals and shining precious stones.
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In contrast to the smooth ceramic surface, the sparkle of multifaceted crystals becomes especially attractive.
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Jewelry ceramics are stylishly combined with a scattering of small transparent stones on gold or silver. Such accessories are universal and suitable for both casual looks and holiday outfits, and most importantly, they correspond to the trend for the 2000s with the glamor characteristic of the 2000s. If “shine always, shine everywhere” is your stylish credo, such jewelry with inlays must appear in your arsenal.
Ceramic chains
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Chains with large links, it seems, are not going to leave the top of the main fashion trends. Designers continue to actively use them in the decoration of clothing and shoes, as well as in jewelry. If you already have options in gold and silver, try an unexpected style solution - chains made of elegant ceramics.
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This decoration will suit the currently fashionable knitted sets, more collected strict looks, the same total looks and unusual combinations in the sport-chic style, because large ceramics take us back to the mood of the active 80s.
Trinity rings
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The legendary “triple” rings have recently become increasingly popular again. In this decoration, three thin rings are cleverly intertwined and create a unique set with deep meaning.
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Initially, it contained a romantic message about the three facets of love - friendship, fidelity and tenderness. They were personified by three rings made of different types of gold. Trinity products were usually given as gifts for weddings or engagements.
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But now such rings are often worn simply as a stylish accessory. The classic design has changed over time. Now ring elements are made not only from gold, but also from other materials. A stylish option is jewelry with colored ceramic inserts.
A nice bonus is that such an accessory will look like new for a very long time. The special ceramic coating, which is formed during firing, has the strength of sapphire glass - it is not afraid of scratches and abrasions.
Photo: 585*Gold, Shutterstock.
Valeria Menskaya
Bottom line
Ceramic wedding rings are the choice of couples seeking to acquire stylish symbols of their marriage, combining modern material and classic style.
Fans of original jewelry will be able to find original rings for themselves at lower prices than designer models made of precious metals.
Jewelry ceramics are an excellent option for newlyweds who are allergic to gold. It is hypoallergenic, very light and has high strength and durability. In addition, it is cheaper than jewelry made from noble hypoallergenic platinum.
We wish you to find a ring that you will be happy to wear for the rest of your life!
Characteristics of jewelry
In recent years, ceramic jewelry and watches have become a fashion trend. Products are made either entirely from ceramics or a combination of silver and ceramics.
Modern technologies make it possible to make imperceptible transitions between different materials, and the rings turn out perfectly smooth. Ceramics have hypoallergenic properties. It is preferred by people who are allergic to gold and silver.
In addition, ceramic jewelry looks very stylish, and also suits clothes of different styles and fits well into holiday and everyday looks. Most often they are made in white and black. By adding the desired dye at the production stage, a delicate pink tint is obtained.
This is interesting: Wedding rings are smooth and flat, their features
Ceramics has good ductility and allows jewelers to create real masterpieces. Another advantage of ceramic products is lightness.
Therefore, it is an ideal material for wedding rings that are worn daily and with a variety of clothing and jewelry. During long-term use, the rings do not become deformed, do not become scratched, and do not darken.
How to choose?
Stylists believe that ceramic products can be safely classified as anti-aging jewelry, suitable for people of different ages and sizes. And this characteristic is very important for engagement rings. After all, they are worn every day throughout family life.
When choosing ceramic rings, you need to consider the shape of your fingers. On short fingers, only narrow rings no larger than 4 mm look beautiful.
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Wide products can visually shorten your fingers. Narrow jewelry will emphasize the grace of musical fingers - long and narrow. Wide products with a width of 6-8 mm also look advantageous on them. If you also have a narrow brush, then very wide rings of 8 mm or more look gorgeous.
For long but thick fingers you should buy only wide jewelry. Medium rings with a width of 4-6 mm look good on fingers of medium length of different builds.
When the joint is wider than the base of the finger, the wide ring should pass through it freely, and the narrow one with difficulty, but within reasonable limits. Such recommendations are given by experts, but each case is unique and several options need to be measured.
