A piece of jewelry's material isn't just about color. It determines how it catches the light, its price, its upkeep and what it becomes over the years. At Monsieur Paris, we work with recycled 18-karat gold and recycled 925 silver, both RJC-certified. Our silver creations are coated with a 3-micron layer of 18-karat gold plating. Two different compositions, which we want you to know as precisely as our designs.
Recycled 18-Karat Gold
For our gold jewelry, we chose 18-karat exclusively. Also known as 750 fineness, this alloy contains 75% pure gold. The other metals in its composition help adjust its color and improve its strength, since pure gold is naturally more malleable. Our gold is recycled and RJC-certified, the Responsible Jewellery Council. After refining, it finds its way back into the making of new jewelry, without losing the properties that make this material valuable. In our Parisian workshop, we shape it by hand. We work the relief, the surfaces and the settings, as well as the less visible details: the inside of a ring, its contours, its comfort against the skin. 18-karat gold develops a patina and can scratch. It's not immune to impact, but depending on the piece's construction, it can be repaired, repolished or resized. This ability to care for a piece over the years is part of why we chose to work with it.
Recycled 925 Silver, plated with 18-Karat Gold
Our gold-plated creations are made from recycled 925 silver, RJC-certified. This alloy contains 92.5% pure silver. It's coated with a layer of 18-karat gold measuring 3 microns, or three thousandths of a millimeter. The two figures work together: 18-karat refers to the gold content of the plating; 3 microns, its thickness. This combination lets us offer our creations at a more accessible price than solid gold, while keeping a solid silver base.
The same gilder since our beginnings
The gilding has been entrusted to the same craftsman since Monsieur Paris began. Based in the 11th arrondissement, he works on the pieces we shape in our workshop. This long-standing relationship is part of how we make things: people we know, direct exchanges, and expertise brought together in Paris.
Understanding how your jewelry evolves
On a gold-plated piece, the gold sits on the surface. The plating can gradually wear, especially at points of friction, revealing the silver underneath. A ring worn every day is generally under more strain than a pendant. The thickness of the plating matters, but how well it holds up also depends on how often the piece is worn, its contact with everyday products, and daily habits. Thickness alone can't guarantee a precise lifespan. 18-karat gold and gold-plated silver therefore age differently. Knowing this difference helps you choose according to your taste, your budget and your habits.
Caring for your jewelry
18-Karat Gold
A soft cloth removes surface marks. Remove your jewelry before handling household products, swimming in a chlorinated pool, or doing any activity that exposes it to impact. For a set piece, precautions also depend on the stones: a cleaning method suited to the metal isn't necessarily suited to every gem.
Gold-Plated Silver
Avoid contact with water, perfume, cosmetics and household products. Gently clean your piece with a soft, dry cloth, without rubbing firmly. Don't use silver polish, abrasive paste or a polishing cloth, as these could damage the plating. Store your jewelry separately, in a box or pouch, away from humidity and friction. Find our full recommendations in the Monsieur Paris care guide.
Advice is part of the craft too
A ring worn every day, earrings swapped according to mood, a piece meant to be passed down: how a piece is used matters as much as its design. At the workshop, we take the time to talk it through with you, to help you choose your piece and care for it over time.
