Terms and Conditions

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Delivery times vary depending on the shipping option selected and the destination. Standard shipping usually takes 3-5 business days, expedited shipping takes 2-3 business days, and overnight shipping takes 1-2 business days.

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Yes, we offer a 10% discount for first-time customers. Please use the promo code FIRST10 at checkout.

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With the cost of precious metals like gold and silver rising,  alternative metals allow designers to continue to craft bold statement  pieces while keeping costs down. From trendy pieces to wedding bands  that will last a lifetime, high-quality alternative metal jewelry has  carved out a permanent place in the jewelry market.What Are Today's Best Selling Alternative Metals?

From the golden tones of brass to the lasting strength of stainless  steel, designers turn to a wide variety of alternative metals, each with  its own unique benefits. Here are some of the most popular alternative  metal choices:

This has quickly become a popular alternative metal in jewelry  fashion. An alloy of copper and zinc, the metal’s malleability,  resistance to tarnish and acoustic properties have made it a choice  material for musical instruments like trumpets, and the metal’s warm  yellow tone and bold shine make it the perfect alternative to gold  jewelry.

With its honeyed hue, bronze jewelry makes a beautiful addition to  any collection at a great price point. Bronze is an alloy of copper and  tin and is as rich in tone as it is in history. For thousands of years,  cultures around the world have produced works of high art using bronze,  and the metal continues to be a growing jewelry trend with a unique,  contemporary edge. Like copper, the patina that can form on bronze  jewelry gives it an attractive aged look.

The use of copper in jewelry craftsmanship dates back some 10,000  years, which adds an allure of antiquity to the metal’s reddish, earthy  tone. Polished copper has a bright luster and is often given a thin  coating of clear lacquer to preserve this burnished look. Over time,  copper oxidizes and creates a darker, antique effect. In recent years,  many people have turned to wear copper jewelry due to its potential  health benefits like helping with joint stiffness/pain, aiding in  mineral absorption, increasing cardiovascular health, a healthier immune  system, and anti-aging.

316L stainless steel is an attractive, highly durable metal for  jewelry. It is the most commonly used grade of stainless steel in the  jewelry industry and an affordable choice for those needing a durable or  robust piece of jewelry. 316L stainless steel is highly resistant to  pitting and corrosion and remains tough even in temperature extremes. It  can be refinished and does not oxidize or tarnish.

The use of TC is a fast-growing trend in the jewelry sector and has  many benefits. It is extremely resistant to corrosion and it is  hypo-allergenic, so it is a good choice for people who have allergies to  gold or silver. It has a very high strength-to-weight ratio, resulting  in lightweight, strong jewelry that is comfortable to wear.

What Is “14 Karat” Gold?

Like fine silver, fine gold is alloyed with other metals to improve strength and durability. The amount of fine gold used is traditionally measured in karats. “Pure gold” is represented as 24 karat. In its pure state gold is quite soft and is rarely used for jewelry.

The most common gold alloys used in the United States are 14 karat and 18 karat. 14 karat gold consists of 58.3 percent fine gold. 18 karat gold consists of 75 percent fine gold.

What Is Gold Filled Jewelry?

Gold filled jewelry is made up of brass that is bonded with gold. This gives the item the look and feel of gold jewelry, at a much more affordable price. Our gold filled jewelry has about 100 times more gold than gold-plated jewelry, so the gold surface will not flake, peel, or wear off.

What Metals Are Used for MMA’s Gold 

Plated Items?

Unless otherwise noted, our gold plated items consist of sterling silver with 14 karat gold plating. Items marked as fashion jewelry do not contain precious metal, except for plating. Gold plated fashion jewelry items consist of base metal (often brass, for example) plated with 14 karat gold.

For jewelry sterling silver is by far the most popular silver alloy in the world. Sterling silver, also called .925 silver, consists of 92.5 percent fine silver and 7.5 percent other metals (usually copper). Manufacturers use sterling silver because of its strength and durability. All silver items in MMA International’s Silver Stars Collection are .925 sterling silver.

Jewelry is often plated with a thin layer of .999 fine silver. This process is known as flashing, and it gives the item a shiny finish. Some factories will apply a plating of nickel or copper on the jewelry prior to applying the .999 silver plating. Other silver items are rhodium plated, which again results in a bright, shiny finish. Some jewelry items may be gold plated or left unplated depending on the design. Flashing or plating silver jewelry also helps reduce irritation or discoloration for customers with sensitive skin.

Sterling silver is susceptible to tarnish which is a natural reaction the metal has with chemicals. Frequent light polishing with a polishing cloth designed for sterling silver will help minimize tarnish. You can also wash your jewelry periodically with mild dish soap and water. Be sure to rinse well and dry completely before putting your jewelry away.

Minimize tarnishing of items that are stored in a display case by using desiccated silica gel granules that absorb the humidity in the air. Covering the jewelry in your cases with Pacific Jeweler’s Cloth (available at most fabric stores) will also help minimize tarnish. When storing silver jewelry items, keep them in sealed polyethylene bags.

Tarnish can be easily removed when first noticed. However, if left untreated, the color of the tarnish will darken and will become more difficult to remove, requiring professional cleaning.

It is also important to avoid exposing sterling silver jewelry to harsh chemicals like chlorine, cosmetics, hair spray, and perfume, and to avoid extended exposure to direct sunlight.