Materials & sourcing

What goes into every piece — and where it comes from.

We are selective about every material we work with. Here is exactly what we use, why we use it, and how it reaches us.

The materials in a piece of fine jewellery are not interchangeable. The purity of a metal, the provenance of a stone, the alloy chosen for a specific design — each decision shapes how a piece looks, how it wears, and what it means to the person who carries it.

At 88Facets.com, we work with a small number of long-established suppliers whose standards match our own. We do not chase the lowest price. We source from people we know, whose processes we have verified, and whose materials we can stand behind without qualification.

Precious metals

The metals we work with

Every metal we use is sourced from European refiners who comply with responsible sourcing standards and provide full chain-of-custody documentation. We do not work with recycled or unverified metal of unknown origin.

18k Yellow gold

75% pure · AU750

The warmest of our metals and the one most associated with traditional fine jewellery. Develops a gentle patina with wear that many clients consider part of its beauty.

18k White gold

75% pure · rhodium-plated

An alloy of gold and white metals — typically palladium — rhodium-plated to achieve a bright white finish. The most popular choice for diamond settings. First replating included.

18k Rose gold

75% pure · copper alloy

Achieved through a higher proportion of copper in the alloy. Flatters a wide range of skin tones and pairs particularly well with warmer-coloured diamonds. Colour is stable over time.

Platinum

95% pure · PT950

Rarer than gold, denser, and naturally white. Does not require plating and develops a characteristic satin patina with wear rather than losing metal mass. The most durable setting available.

Mixed metals

Two-tone & custom combinations

Many of our bespoke commissions combine metals — a yellow gold band with a white gold setting, or a rose gold shank with platinum prongs. All combinations are available; we will advise on which work best for specific designs.

Diamonds

How we source our stones

Natural diamonds

Mined with full traceability

Every natural diamond we work with is sourced through established trading relationships with Antwerp-based dealers who comply with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and, where possible, provide country-of-origin documentation.

Our preference is for stones from Canada, Botswana, and Namibia — countries with strong regulatory frameworks for responsible mining. We can provide origin information for any natural stone we supply on request.

Lab-grown diamonds

Created with complete transparency

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and optically identical to natural stones. We source lab-grown diamonds from producers using Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) technology, predominantly from facilities in Europe and North America.

All lab-grown stones we supply are IGI-certified. We are transparent about their origin and will always explain the distinction between natural and lab-grown to any client who asks — without advocating for one over the other.

"We know the people we buy from. That is not a marketing line — it is the practical foundation of responsible sourcing at our scale."

Our sourcing principles

What we will not compromise on

No unverified provenance

We do not purchase stones or metals from sources we cannot trace. If a stone cannot be accompanied by documentation of its origin, we do not use it — regardless of how attractive the price.

Long-term supplier relationships

We work with a small, consistent group of suppliers built over many years. These relationships allow us to maintain quality standards and have honest conversations about provenance.

III

Independent certification

Every diamond we set is independently certified before it reaches us. We verify each certificate against the physical stone. No client is asked to trust our word alone.

Honest conversations

If a client asks where a stone came from, we will tell them everything we know. If there are aspects of provenance we cannot confirm, we say so. Transparency is not conditional.

European finishing

Every piece is finished by hand in Europe. We do not outsource production to regions where labour standards cannot be confirmed. The craftspeople who make our rings work in conditions we have seen ourselves.

Continuous improvement

Responsible sourcing is not a static achievement. Standards evolve and better information becomes available. We review our suppliers regularly and update our practices when we find a better way.

Questions about a specific material or stone origin?

We welcome the question. Whether you are deciding between metals, curious about where a particular diamond was mined, or want to understand more about lab-grown sourcing — ask us directly. There are no uncomfortable questions here.