Stainless steel, sterling silver, or gold plating: what our jewelry is made of
Short answer: At Ice Baby, we work with three bases. Stainless steel with 18K gold or white gold plating on most pendants, chains, rings, and bracelets. 925 sterling silver in many earrings and VVS jewelry with moissanite. And brass with gold plating on grillz and some chains. When a piece of jewelry is named “18K Gold” or “White Gold,” it refers to the color and plating, not solid gold. The exact material is always listed in the product details under “Material.”
What each material means
Stainless steel
It is an iron alloy with chromium that does not rust. It is hard, withstands everyday wear and tear well, and is unaffected by water or sweat. It is the base for almost all our Cuban chains, pendants, rings, and bracelets.
925 sterling silver
It is silver with 92.5% pure silver. The remaining 7.5% consists of other metals that make it harder, because pure silver alone is too soft for jewelry. We use it in many earrings and pieces of jewelry with VVS moissanite.
Brass
It is a copper and zinc alloy that is easy to work with in fine detail. We use it for grillz and chains like the Tenis Deluxe, always with 18K gold or white gold plating.
18K gold, white gold, or rose gold plating
It is a layer of gold over the jewelry’s base metal. It provides the color and finish. On pieces meeting our new standard, the plating includes a minimum of 0.5 microns of certified gold.
Where each one is used
| Material | Where we use it | Stones |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel with gold plating | Chains, pendants, rings, bracelets, and some earrings | 5A cubic zirconia |
| 925 sterling silver | Many earrings | 5A cubic zirconia |
| 925 sterling silver with moissanite | VVS jewelry: chains, pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets (VVS watches are made of steel) | VVS moissanite, with GRA certificate |
| Brass with gold plating | Grillz and some chains | Cubic zirconia |
Why is it called “18K Gold” if it’s not solid gold?
Because in urban jewelry, the name usually indicates the color: “18K Gold” is golden, “White Gold” is shiny silver, and “Rose Gold” is pink. This lets you choose the shade you like. But we don’t want there to be any confusion: if you want to know what the piece is made of, check the “Material” line in the product details. There, for example, it will say “18K gold-plated stainless steel” or “White gold-plated 925 sterling silver.”
Each piece of jewelry also comes with its Ice Baby certificate of authenticity, and moissanite pieces also include the GRA certificate for the stone.
Which one to choose
- For everyday wear without a second thought: stainless steel. It is the most durable.
- If you want a precious metal: 925 sterling silver.
- If you want the stone to never lose its shine: 925 silver with VVS moissanite. We explain it in VVS moissanite or 5A cubic zirconia.
Frequently asked questions
Does the gold plating wear off?
All plating gradually wears down with friction, perfumes, and lotions. To make it last: dry it after getting it wet, apply perfume before putting on the jewelry, and store it in its case. You can find more tips in how to care for your jewelry.
Can I shower with it?
Yes. Our jewelry is made of steel or silver and is resistant to water and sweat.
Does 925 silver turn black?
Over time, silver may darken slightly as it reacts with the air and skin. This is normal for any sterling silver and can be restored by cleaning it.
Where can I see the material of each piece of jewelry?
In the product details under “Material.” If you have any questions, message us on WhatsApp or Instagram before ordering.
