The ingredients list

9K Solid
Gold.

The base ingredient for everything we make at UNPLATED. Not plated. Not filled. Solid gold throughout — the same composition from the surface to the centre.

01 The recipe — what goes into the alloy
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Raw materials
One recipe, every piece 9 Karat
Gold
37.5–39%
Copper
57–60%
Silver
3–5%
Zinc
1.5%
Fully nickel-free

*exact ratios vary slightly by batch within the ranges above. Gold content is certified at a minimum of 37.5% (BIS 375) regardless of finish or colour.

02 Choosing the right base — why 9K
i
Harder than higher karats
Higher karat gold — 18K, 22K — is softer. More pure gold means less structural alloy, which means pieces bend, scratch, and wear down more quickly. 9K holds its shape better under daily conditions.
ii
Holds detail longer
Finer details — settings, engravings, textured surfaces — stay sharper in 9K. The hardness that comes from the alloy ratio means the design you ordered is the design you'll see for years.
iii
Solid through and through
Unlike plated or filled jewellery, UNPLATED pieces are solid gold all the way through. There's no base metal underneath, ever — whatever's on the surface, what's inside is the same 9K gold. See "The finish" below for how this plays out with colour.
03 The finish — natural colour, and what's underneath

Most gold jewellery asks you to pick a tone — yellow, white, or rose — and match it to your skin's undertone. NATURAL skips that question entirely. It's not a colour we add — it's the alloy itself, unfinished. Nothing plated on top, nothing to shade-match. The one finish that's actually UNPLATED.

i
Every piece starts here
Before any finish is applied, every piece is cast in its natural 9K tone — gold, copper, and silver alloyed together, no added colour. It's a soft, warm blend: not quite yellow, not quite rose, not quite white.
ii
One tone, every undertone
Undertone matching exists because a single-toned piece — all yellow, all white, all rose — can sit oddly against warm or cool skin. NATURAL sidesteps it: it's the alloy that we make into the yellow or white finishes, it already carries a bit of each. It doesn't fight your undertone — it splits the difference.
iii
Yellow and White are a finish
For a classic look, we apply an 18K gold or rhodium finish over the natural alloy — standard practice across fine jewellery at any karat, including 18K and 22K. It's cosmetic, and sits on top of the 9K alloy.
iv
Even if it wears, there's no fake metal underneath
With everyday wear, that finish can soften over time — expected, and true of finished jewellery at any karat. Because the piece is solid gold throughout, there's nothing to reveal but more gold, in its natural tone. No base metal, ever. Prefer to skip the finish entirely? Look for NATURAL in the metal picker on select pieces — the honest tone, from day one.
04 The garnishes — coloured stones & enamel
Gemstones arranged on a plate
Precious stones
Blue Sapphire
Corundum · Precious

One of the hardest and most durable gemstones. Deep blue to cornflower, depending on origin and saturation. Resistant to daily wear.

Group 1 · wash freely
White Sapphire
Corundum · Precious

Colourless sapphire — same hardness as blue, with a bright, clean brilliance. A considered alternative to diamond.

Group 1 · wash freely
Ruby
Corundum · Precious

The red variety of corundum. Among the most durable coloured stones. Ranges from vivid red to deep crimson.

Group 1 · wash freely
Emerald
Beryl · Precious

The green beryl, known for its rich, saturated colour. Most emeralds have natural inclusions — expected and characteristic of the stone. Handle with moderate care.

Group 2 · handle with care
Semi-precious stones
Garnet
Silicate · Semi-precious

Deep red to burgundy, with excellent brilliance when faceted. Hardy and well-suited to daily wear.

Group 1 · wash freely
Amethyst
Quartz · Semi-precious

Purple quartz, from pale lilac to deep violet. Popular and versatile. Keep away from prolonged direct sunlight.

Group 2 · handle with care
Aquamarine
Beryl · Semi-precious

The pale blue-green variety of beryl. Clear and luminous, with a cool, coastal quality. Durable and well-suited to everyday pieces.

Group 1 · wash freely
Citrine
Quartz · Semi-precious

Warm yellow to amber quartz. Bright and cheerful, pairs naturally with yellow gold. Best kept out of sustained direct sunlight.

Group 2 · handle with care
Peridot
Olivine · Semi-precious

Distinctively lime green — one of the few stones that occurs in only one colour. Bright and slightly transparent, with a natural warmth that pairs well with yellow gold.

Group 2 · handle with care
Moissanite
Silicon Carbide · Lab-grown

Near-colourless lab-grown stone with a fire and brilliance that rivals diamond. Exceptionally hard and durable. An ethical, accessible alternative.

Group 1 · wash freely
Sky Topaz
Silicate · Semi-precious

A clear, light blue topaz. Cool and airy, it sits beautifully in both yellow and white gold. Durable and well-suited to everyday wear.

Group 1 · wash freely
Enamel
Glass · Applied

Powdered glass fused onto metal at high temperature. Produces flat, vivid colour. Durable when kept dry and away from harsh chemicals or impact.

Group 2 · handle with care
Delicate stones
Pearl
Organic · Delicate

Organic, grown rather than mined. Soft and porous — sensitive to acids, perfume, and sweat. Wipe after every wear. Put jewellery on last.

Group 3 · dry clean only
Opal
Mineraloid · Delicate

Known for its play of colour — shifting spectral flashes across the surface. High water content makes it sensitive to heat, dryness, and sudden temperature change.

Group 3 · dry clean only
Turquoise
Phosphate · Delicate

A porous, opaque stone in sky blue to blue-green. One of the oldest gemstones in use. Sensitive to chemicals, moisture, and perfume — keep dry and clean only with a soft cloth.

Group 3 · dry clean only

Delicate stones — pearl, opal, and turquoise — require more careful handling than hard stones. See the full stone-by-stone instructions in the Care Guide.

Care Guide →