If you are looking to have a Custom piece made, Mind’s Eye Collective offers several different choices of metal and pricing varies among wire types. Making a decision on wire types can be tough--take a look at all the options available in side-by-side comparison and read a bit more about each here!
Metals available: Gold Fill, Sterling Silver, Brass and Copper. Rose Gold is also available for some styles, when in stock. Necklaces are only available in Gold Fill and Sterling Silver.
A note: While Copper and Brass are more economically priced, it is recommended that since you are making an investment in a custom piece of art, it is in Gold Fill or Sterling Silver for the longevity of the piece.
Gold Fill
Gold Fill is a composite wire in which gold is bonded to a brass core. It is a lifetime
product which does not tarnish (unless exposed to extreme levels of sulfide) because of the process and thickness by which the gold is bonded to the brass center. This also provides a hardness to the wire that allows it to retain its shape.
Pricing:
Of the price range, Gold Fill is the most expensive option offered currently, however it is also one of the only metals that requires little to no upkeep to remain looking like new.
*Allergy Concerns:
While most people have no issues at all with Gold Fill on sensitive skin, those who have allergies to gold alloys will also have a reaction with the gold layer of this wire. It is a composite metal and therefore contains other metals. Please check with your Physician for professional advice for your sensitive skin.
Comparing to other metals:
-Yellow in hue although on the whiter side when compared against brass
-Yellow white where Rose Gold is pink
-Remains shiny and like-new with little to no upkeep
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is an alloy composed of 0.925 fine silver and most commonly copper. The reason jewelers choose to use Sterling Silver is because of the soft malleability quality silver takes on in its pure state, which makes working with it difficult and finished pieces fragile and prone to lose their shape. This trace amount of copper has little effect on its value which is instead determined by the labor involved in its creation.
Pricing:
Silver on the upper, mid-range of the price scale, requiring little upkeep when worn regularly.
*Allergy Concerns:
In general, Sterling Silver is recommended for sensitive skin. However while most people have no issues at all with Sterling Silver on sensitive skin, because it is an alloy, in some cases there may be a chance, while rare, of other base metals mixed in. Please check with your Physician for professional advice for your sensitive skin.
Comparing to other metals:
-White compared to Gold and Brass
-Remains shiny with little upkeep when worn regularly and stored away from sulfur contaminants (See Jewelry Care under the About tab)
Brass
Brass is an alloy composed of copper and zinc loved throughout history for its warm yellow tone. Brass is a highly durable and malleable metal, which does not rust and is resistant to corrosion. However, it does develop a greenish patina over time, which is due to the copper within the alloy. Many people love this patina for the character it adds to their pieces, others prefer to upkeep their brass jewelry regularly. You can find more tips for upkeep in the Jewelry Care section of the About tab.
Pricing:
Brass is an extremely affordable alternative to Gold Fill , although as aforementioned, does require more regular upkeep to remove patina if desired.
*Allergy Concerns:
All Brass pieces come with Gold Plated ear wire unless otherwise requested. Because brass contains copper and zinc which are essential minerals to the human body, some believe wearing brass jewelry can improve health. While most people do not have issues of sensitivity to Brass, please check with your Physician for professional advice for your sensitive skin.
Comparing to other metals:
- Visually similar to gold fill although less shiny and more yellow in hue
- Yellow as compared with the orange of copper
- Will require regular upkeep to remain looking like new (See Jewelry Care under the About tab for more information on cleaning and storing tips)
Copper
Copper is a naturally occurring metal and mineral which can even be found in the human body. Copper is actually the first metal to be used by humans and is known for its soft, malleable quality and its orange-reddish-brown hue. While copper will not rust, but because of its highly reactive nature, it will over time develop a greenish patina. While our wire is sealed to resist patina, our ear wires are not. You can find more about cleaning and storing your copper jewelry in the Jewelry Care section of the About tab.
Pricing:
Like Brass, Copper is an economically priced option, which does as aforementioned, require regular upkeep to remove patina if desired
*Allergy Concerns:
As most people have experienced with copper, it can turn your skin green which many people assume is due to low quality but it is in fact due to the chemical reaction between the copper and your sweat. Because Copper is an essential mineral to the human body, some believe wearing copper jewelry can improve health by increasing copper absorption into the bloodstream via the skin. Please check with your Physician for professional advice for your sensitive skin.
Comparing to other metals:
Orange-red in hue as compared to the yellow of gold and brass Will require regular upkeep to remain looking like new (See Jewelry Care under the About tab for more information on cleaning and storing tips)
*Rose Gold
Similarly to Gold Fill, Rose Gold fill is a composite metal made by bonding rose gold to a brass core. Rose gold gets its color and strength by mixing in copper and silver, giving it its pinkish hue. Available by request, when in stock.
Pricing:
Similar to Gold Fill.
*Allergy Concerns:
Rose Gold is not a hypoallergenic metal and therefore may cause reaction for those with metal sensitivities, though uncommon. Please check with your Physician for professional advice for your sensitive skin.
Comparing to other metals:
- Pink in hue as compared with the yellow of gold in brass
- Less orange/red than copper
- Durable and requires less upkeep than pure copper and brass.
