Sterling Silver. Some of our pieces are made from the precious metal Sterling Silver. These pieces are then plated in 18k gold or plated in silver to help with durability and to minimise scratching. All of our pieces go through a refining process where we remove any impurities. By law in Ireland and any jewellery sold as Sterling Silver needs to be tested and hallmarked under The Company of Goldsmiths of Dublin Assay Office, based in Dublin Castle. This means that all of our jewellery made in precious materials Sterling Silver (.925) and Gold Plated Sterling Silver (vermeil) is officially hallmarked by the Dublin Assay Office. This process ensures you are purchasing pieces that contain the quality and amount of precious metal you expect. All our sterling silver pieces will feature three official marks by law. These are:

1.            GFA – Our official makers mark (CHOKO)

2.            The Hibernia hallmark (Dublin Assay Office official mark)

3.            The Metal Purity Mark 925

We also use other base materials at Chōko like Brass and Stainless Steel.  These pieces are also plated in 18k gold or silver plating.  However, due to the bass metal these pieces do not have to be hallmarked. Descriptions of pieces will clearly state if the piece is not sterling silver.

Cubic Zirconia. Zirconia is a colourless synthetic stone composed of zirconium dioxide, and has become very popular as a diamond simulant. Cubic Zirconia, or CZ for short, is a dazzling gem that’s created in a laboratory, not mined from the earth like natural gems. It’s made from a combination of elements, primarily zirconium oxide, and is crafted through a process involving extremely high temperatures. Your CZ CHOKO pieces will always dazzle and shine!

Freshwater pearls are as the name suggests, pearls which form in freshwater environments not in salt water areas think more think lakes, rivers, glaciers and more. Pearls that form in mollusks (oysters or clams)  in these environments are called freshwater pearls resulting in an irregular shape which we refer to as a Baroque shell. A stunning and more unique shape for fashion Jewellery. This type of pearl is loved for its irregular shape and sheer lustre. Natural pearls are more rare than cultivated pearls and are therefore more expensive.   A number of our pieces within our CHOKO Jewellery collection are made using fresh water pearls. Because of the natural form of these pearls it is best to avoid any perfumes, tans or body chemicals on these pieces to avoid discolouration. 

Shell pearls are so called because they are made of the inner lining of oyster shells. They are made in a lab setting from the mother of pearl inner surface of certain sea shells which are then ground coated and polished to the final shape of the pearl. These pearls are more round and uniform in shape and can be made into various colours.