UNDERSTANDING GOLD & DIAMONDS
Karats vs Carats
Every Never Never piece begins with carefully selected materials.
We work primarily with solid gold and ethically sourced diamonds, chosen for their durability, beauty and longevity. Jewellery is made to be lived in, to move with you through years, moments and milestones. Understanding the materials behind a piece helps you choose something that will truly last.
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UNDERSTANDING DIAMONDS
Diamonds are valued for their exceptional hardness and ability to reflect light.
Formed over billions of years beneath the earth’s surface, natural diamonds are one of the hardest substances found in nature. This durability makes them particularly well suited for jewellery that is worn every day, such as engagement and wedding rings.
In recent years, lab-grown diamonds have also become widely available. These stones are chemically and visually identical to natural diamonds, but are created in controlled environments rather than formed in the earth.
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds can be beautiful choices, and the decision often comes down to personal preference.
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Durability
When choosing stones for jewellery that will be worn daily, durability is an important consideration.
Diamonds rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the hardest known gemstone. Sapphires are also highly durable, ranking 9 on the scale, which is why they are often used in engagement rings.
Softer stones can still be beautiful choices, but may require more care depending on how the piece is worn.
Our Approach
At Never Never, jewellery is made slowly and intentionally.
Each piece is carved, cast and finished by hand. The materials we choose are selected not only for their beauty, but for how they will wear over time.
Gold develops character as it ages. Diamonds hold their brilliance for generations.
The aim is simple: to create pieces that feel deeply personal, intentional, enduring and powerful. Objects that become part of a life rather than something that simply sits on the surface of it.
UNDERSTANDING GOLD
Gold is one of the oldest metals used in jewellery. It is valued for its colour, rarity and resistance to corrosion, but in its pure form it is also very soft.
For this reason, gold used in jewellery is almost always mixed with small amounts of other metals (known as alloys) which give it strength and durability while maintaining its distinctive character.
The purity of gold is measured in karats (K).
What are Karats?
Karats describe how much pure gold is present in a piece of jewellery.
Pure gold is measured on a scale of 24 parts.
24K gold is considered pure gold.
18K gold contains 18 parts gold out of 24.
9K gold contains 9 parts gold out of 24.
This means:
9K gold contains 37.5% pure gold
14K gold contains 58.3% pure gold
18K gold contains 75% pure gold
22K gold contains 91.6% pure gold
The remaining percentage is made up of a range of alloy metals such as silver, copper, palladium or zinc.
These alloys strengthen the gold and can subtly influence its colour.
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9K vs 18K Gold
The primary difference between 9K and 18K gold is the amount of pure gold present in the metal.
18K gold contains a higher proportion of gold, which gives it a richer colour, a more luxurious feel and a higher intrinsic value.
9K gold contains more alloy metals, (less pure gold) which makes it extremely durable and often more accessible in price. A fantastic option for heavier pieces.
Both are solid gold and both can last a lifetime when cared for properly.
At Never Never we often work with 9K, 14K and 18K gold, depending on the design and the intention behind the piece.
For heirloom pieces such as wedding and engagement rings, many clients prefer the depth, luxury and richness of 14K or 18K gold.
For everyday pieces, 9K and 14K gold offer excellent strength and longevity.
Gold Colours
Gold can appear in several colours depending on the alloys used in the metal.
Yellow gold is created by balancing gold with micro-amounts silver and copper to maintain its natural warmth.
Rose gold contains a higher percentage of copper, which gives it its soft red tone.
White gold is created by alloying gold with white metals such as palladium or silver and is often finished with a rhodium coating to give it a bright silvery appearance.
All colours of gold are measured in karats in exactly the same way.
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If you are unsure which material is right for your piece, we are always happy to guide you.
You can email us directly at info@neverneverjewellery.com.
