Materials and Metallurgy
Ouie’s approach to material selection is deliberate. Every element, from our jewellery to our packaging, is chosen for its balance of innovation, craftsmanship, and lasting significance. Precious metals and engineered alloys are selected to push the boundaries of form and function, alongside materials steeped in history.
House staples like 925 Sterling Silver and 18k Gold are refined with advanced alloy compositions that enhance their aesthetic and structural integrity. Recycled base metals reinforce our commitment to sustainability without compromising on quality. The use of natural gemstones such as Diamonds, Rubies, and Emeralds grounds our designs in heritage, while contemporary stones like Lapis Lazuli and Onyx, widely celebrated in modern watchmaking, introduce new dimensions of depth and contrast.
The same precision extends to our packaging. Flight-grade Aluminium and vintage cotton are chosen not just for their practical qualities, but for their tactile and visual presence, ensuring that even the first interaction with an Ouie piece reflects its intention.
Precious Metals
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925 Sterling SilverA next-generation recycled sterling silver alloy modified with Germanium for greater tarnish resistance, improved structural stability, and cleaner surface behaviour during casting. The alloy flows predictably in moulds, reduces firescale during finishing, and offers higher ductility than traditional sterling. These properties allow sharper edges, more consistent polishing, and stronger small-scale components. Every batch is sourced through closed-loop recycling streams to ensure traceability and compositional reliability.
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18K Yellow GoldA recycled yellow gold alloy produced to a stable 3N colour profile and refined for consistent hardness and wear resistance. The alloy balances malleability with the strength required for articulated links, precision clasps, and secure stone settings. Each batch is melted and homogenised under controlled conditions to maintain uniform tone and predictable behaviour during both CNC machining and casting. The result is a gold that holds crisp geometry, accepts a high polish, and maintains colour integrity over time.
Precious Gemstones
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HardstonesDense ornamental stones traditionally used in watchmaking for their stability, weight, and resistance to abrasion. Onyx offers a uniform, high-contrast surface ideal for clean geometric cuts, while Lapis Lazuli provides natural variation formed by pyrite and calcite inclusions. Both materials respond well to precision lapidary techniques, taking a sharp polish that pairs cleanly with metal components. Their durability and structural rigidity make them suitable for bezels, inlays, and components where visual impact and long-term wear performance are essential.
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Coloured GemstonesSelected from established mining regions known for consistent clarity and structural integrity. Sapphire and ruby, both corundum, are chosen for their hardness, colour stability, and ability to withstand high-pressure setting techniques. Emeralds are sourced with a focus on transparency and minimal surface-reaching fractures, ensuring reliability during cutting and mounting. Only classic, historically recognised gemstones are used, favouring stones with well-documented provenance and performance in fine jewellery.
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DiamondsOnly natural diamonds are used, evaluated for structural integrity, cut precision, and optical performance. White stones are selected in the highest clarity ranges, ensuring a clean internal structure that enhances light return. Black diamonds are chosen for uniform saturation and density, allowing a consistent surface finish when set. All stones are sourced through suppliers operating under recognised international standards, ensuring each diamond meets the requirements for both aesthetic quality and long-term durability.
Packaging Materials
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250gsm Vintage CottonA tightly woven 250gsm cotton textile produced on traditional shuttle looms, generating a dense, balanced structure with minimal stretch. The fabric’s weight gives it enough rigidity to protect metal surfaces while remaining compact and easy to handle during packing. Its check pattern is woven rather than printed, improving abrasion resistance and ensuring long-term visual stability. Each roll is produced in small batches, allowing consistent tension, weave accuracy, and fibre quality across production runs.
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6082 AluminiumA high-strength aluminium alloy commonly used in aerospace and precision engineering due to its favourable strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and machinability. The alloy responds cleanly to turning and milling operations, producing sharp edges and a uniform surface finish. Its stability under pressure makes it suitable for protective components and packaging that must withstand impact without deforming. All material is sourced to strict compositional standards to ensure consistent performance across batches.