Gold, in its purest form, is soft - too soft to survive the realities of daily life. That 24-karat bracelet you see glimmering in showcases? Not meant for wear. It bends. It warps. It scratches. And so, almost every piece of gold jewelry you’ve ever worn is, in fact, a blend - an alloy, shaped not just by design but by science.
The alchemy behind gold jewelry is often invisible to the wearer. But the metals mixed into your gold - copper, silver, nickel, zinc, and others - determine everything from durability to color to safety. Some enhance strength. Others tweak the hue. A few, like nickel and beryllium, have become controversial, even banned in parts of the world. The truth is: what’s in your gold matters. And not all gold jewelry is created equally.
Why Gold Needs Partners
Pure gold, or 24 karats, is famously soft. That’s part of its charm - the buttery texture, the warmth, the symbolism of purity. But from a practical perspective, it’s nearly unusable for everyday jewelry. It’s too malleable, too prone to denting, bending, and scratching. That’s where alloying comes in.
By combining gold with other metals, jewelers can create alloys that are stronger, harder, and more wear-resistant, while preserving the color and value that make gold so coveted.
But here's the kicker: the metals used in that mix - and how much of them - make all the difference.
Copper, Silver, Zinc: The Everyday Heroes
In Europe (and at MUSE of My Own, always), most solid gold jewelry is made using safe, stabilizing metals like copper, silver, and zinc. These metals are chosen not only for strength, but for their performance and safety on skin.
-
Copper adds strength and a subtle warmth to the color - especially in lower-karat alloys like 9k and 10k. It also improves hardness, making gold more scratch-resistant.
-
Silver contributes brightness and ductility - it helps the metal stay flexible enough to be worked into delicate shapes.
-
Zinc, often used in small amounts, improves the overall durability of the alloy and helps refine the melting process.
These are the silent workhorses of good gold jewelry. They make your favorite ring strong enough to stack. They let your dainty necklace survive being worn to bed (again). And - critically - they are non-toxic and skin-safe.
Nickel and Beryllium: Why Safer Gold Matters
Then there’s the other side of the story.
Nickel has long been used in jewelry alloys for its strength and whiteness, especially in white gold. But it’s also the most common cause of metal allergies in the world. Prolonged skin contact can lead to rashes, itching, and sometimes long-term sensitivity. In 2001, the European Union passed legislation banning the use of nickel above a certain threshold in jewelry - a move that reshaped the industry. Since then, high-quality European jewelry brands (like ours) have moved away from nickel completely.
Even more concerning is beryllium - a metal once used to improve the hardness and castability of gold alloys. While effective, beryllium is now classified as a known carcinogen, and exposure (particularly during manufacturing) poses serious risks. It’s banned across the EU and many other regions for jewelry production. Still, it may still appear in some non-EU imports where regulations are looser and labor protections more lax.
So while you might not see these ingredients on a product tag, they matter. A lot.
Why the EU Standard Matters
When we say our gold is made in Europe, we mean more than geography. European Union standards are among the strictest in the world for fine jewelry, particularly when it comes to:
- Alloy composition
- Metal purity
- Toxic element thresholds
- Consumer safety regulations
It's not just about karat - it's about the alloy itself. We ensure our jewelry is made only from solid gold blended with safe, regulated metals, completely free from nickel, beryllium, lead, or cadmium.
This kind of oversight isn't always guaranteed elsewhere. Jewelry manufactured in less regulated markets may still contain harsh chemicals or unsafe alloys - especially at lower price points.
The Case for 9K: Strength in Simplicity
We proudly work with 9-karat solid gold - an alloy made from 37.5% pure gold and 62.5% strengthening metals. While some may focus on the lower gold content, we see the full picture:
- It’s stronger than 14k or 18k gold
- It’s more affordable, making fine jewelry more accessible
- It’s less prone to scratching, denting, or warping
- It’s lighter, but still carries the warm, unmistakable glow of real gold
In fact, 9k gold is considered the hardest gold alloy commonly used in jewelry. For daily wear - rings, chains, earrings you never take off - these are the golds that go the distance.
What’s Not in Our Jewelry (and Why That Matters)
No matter how durable or beautiful a piece is, what it’s made from should never be a mystery. At MUSE of My Own, we believe transparency is part of luxury.
So here's what we never use - and never will:
- No nickel
- No beryllium
- No lead or cadmium
- No brass or mystery metals under plating (because we don’t plate - ever)
Our jewelry is made in limited batches, using 100% recycled solid gold alloyed only with safe, traceable metals. It’s built for life, made without shortcuts.
Final Word: Know What You’re Wearing
The next time you hold a piece of gold jewelry in your hand, think beyond the karat stamp. Ask: what else is in this?
Because gold doesn’t stand alone. It’s the company it keeps - the copper, silver, and zinc that give it strength. The absence of harmful metals that make it safe. The craftsmanship behind the alloy that makes it last. Gold may be timeless, but what’s inside it defines whether it’s truly made to endure.