materials & care

all jewelry is made with high quality non-tarnish materials including but not limited to:  

  • genuine keshi, baroque and freshwater pearls
  • 14k gold filled materials 
  • 925 sterling silver materials
  • natural gemstones
  • Czech glass seed beads

each piece of jewelry is beaded on resilient silver wire (seriously, you need wire cutters to break apart), and is strongly fastened in place. 

beady babies is designed to last a lifetime and withstand day to day use. regardless, each piece should still be handled with care. pearls are an organic material susceptible to chipping and losing their luster if not cared for properly. any rough environment (excessive salt water, chlorine, sun, etc.) can deteriorate even the best materials used. 

here's a break down of some of the materials we use and why: 

keshi pearls 

we use keshi pearls because of their uniqueness, versatility and low-environmental impact. keshi pearls help reduce waste in the pearl production process, because they are typically a byproduct in the pearl cultivation process. you can read more about why we love keshi pearls in the sustainability and ethics tab.

14k gold filled 

14k gold is often considered the best choice for wear and durability in jewelry. 14k gold contains 58.3% pure gold, making it more durable than higher karat options (i.e. 18k or 24k) as pure gold is very soft and can be easily scratched or damaged. 14k is great for tarnish-resistance and the alloyed metals used in 14k gold result in a harder and more robust material that can withstand daily use, including exposure to moisture, light impacts, and scratches.

925 sterling silver

925 sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper and is considered one of the best materials for jewelry because of its durability and tarnish resistance. the addition of copper in 925 sterling silver enhances the strength and durability of the silver, making it more resistant to scratches, dents, and deformation. the copper content in 925 sterling silver also helps reduce tarnishing compared to higher-purity silver. regular cleaning should be done with any sterling silver jewelry to help maintain its luster. 

Czech glass seed beads 

Czech glass beads have a long-standing reputation for their high quality and craftsmanship. Czech glass bead manufacturers are known for their commitment to quality and use high-end eco-friendly processes and materials, making them a more sustainable option compared to other bead manufacturers.