for the conscious jewelry lover that has sustainability & longevity in mind ♻️
Making pieces that last.
Mainly focusing on 925 Sterling Silver as our base metal, you'll find a strong selection of demi-fine jewelry.
We avoid cheap metals (brass, copper, nickel) to ensure that cora's pieces are generally hypoallergenic (safe for sensitive skin), durable (longlasting) and will keep looking pristine for years to come!
925 sterling silver
A popular base metal for demi-fine jewelry, 925 Sterling Silver consists of 92.5% silver, hence the name. The combination of other 7.5% metal (copper) is necessary in order to mould them into the desired form.
Pure silver is not susceptible to tarnish in a pure oxygen environment. However, the copper that is contained in 925 Sterling Silver may react to the ozone and hydrogen sulphide in the air and cause a reaction from your jewelry. For this reason, we recommend avoiding perfumes, hair sprays and alcohol to prevent tarnishing.
demi-fine
aka. "affordably luxury" sits at the intersection of expensive "fine jewelry" and cheap "costume jewelry". It offers the best of both worlds through affordable pricing without sacrificing on quality.
Demi-fine jewelry can be embellished in semi-precious gemstones and coated in gold / rose gold / rhodium. cora uses 18-karat and 24-karat gold to emulate the warmth and glow that high-end jewelry exude. We also coat 10x more than the market*, outlasting the rest!
You can now confidently build your jewelry collection and get access to luxurious designs that withstand daily wear. It also eases the pressure of owning fine jewelry (for fear of losing or damaging it).
*cora is plated with 0.5 microns gold, while others contain as low as 0.05 microns.
18k vs 24k gold plated
We mainly use 18k gold on our jewelry to emulate the tone, look and feel of solid gold.
Karat (k) determines the gold color that shows up in your jewelry... Think of it like different shades of yellow.
A higher karat does not mean that there is a thicker plating of gold!*
*Refer to gold vermeil to learn more on quality plating.
Gold plated jewelry has become increasingly popular as it makes expensive jewelry more affordable.
gold vermeil
: pronounced [vehr-may] contains a thicker gold plating and uses 925 Sterling Silver as its base metal. Legally, the gold must be at least 10k with a thickness of 2.5 microns of gold plating. However, some countries (like Canada) only require a 1.0 micron layer of gold to qualify as gold vermeil.
cora's gold vermeil jewelry contain a minimum plating of 2.5 microns thick (x50 more gold plating* compared to regular gold plated jewelry). This is the next best alternative to solid gold.
With the added thickness, gold vermeil lasts longer than gold plated jewelry, giving the perfect balance between cost and quality. For those who don’t want to splurge on solid gold, vermeil makes for the next best alternative!
*regular gold plated jewelry contain as low as 0.05 microns gold.
repurposed designer
Pendant: Gold plated on brass
Pendants taken from authentic Luxury Designer accessories are made out of brass. These pieces often come in 1 piece, making them incredibly rare.
Since they are reworked by hand, transforming it into another form entirely (bag charms into wearable jewelry), the design is unique and can't be bought anywhere else.
That being said, upcycled jewelry is not affeliated to the brand. It's a new design made independent from the brand, despite its origins.
stainless steel
Because of its inherent ability to never rust, corrode or oxidise, this metal is the best to use when you have a very active lifestyle (think sports and a whole lotta sweating).
Its properties are tarnish free, rust-free and can be exposed to water without oxidising and changing color - which makes it the perfect material for humid places.
Stainless steel is more durable than 925 Sterling Silver, making it less susceptible to scratches but contains small traces of nickel. Although it is generally considered safe for sensitive skin, those with a nickel allergy should look for demi-fine, 925 Sterling Silver jewelry instead.
While stainless steel claim the crown in terms of durability & affordability, it falls short to demi-fine jewelry as it can feel cheap.
freshwater pearls
This natural beauty has become a staple across cultures, and is a multi-generational classic that has withstood time. Basically, you can never go wrong wearing pearls because it never goes out of fashion.
These "soft white lustrous orbs" have a cultural connection to the moon, with astrological associations with the planet Venus. Like pearls, the goddess of love came from the sea. Some even say white pearls are tears shed by the gods.
Pearls are elegant and ethereal while maintaining an organic look about them. Born from mollusks, freshwater pearls come in a variety of unusual shapes and colors. Its true beauty comes in its natural textured form. To tell real pearls apart from "fake" ones, rub the pearl against your tooth. It should feel like rubbing against sandpaper.