Collection: Our Materials
At Thornhill Jewellery, every piece starts life as something else. We work only with recycled and reclaimed materials, so nothing new is mined to make your jewellery. Here's what we use, and why each material is special.
Which old coins do you use?
We hand cut and shape genuine British and world coins. The age of a coin tells you what it's made of:
- Pre-1920 British silver coins (threepences, sixpences, shillings, florins, half crowns and crowns) are sterling silver, 92.5% silver.
- 1920 to 1946 British silver coins are "half silver", 50% silver.
- 1947 onwards "silver" coins are cupronickel, a silver-coloured copper and nickel alloy, so they're not silver.
- Old pennies and halfpennies (up to 1967) are a warm, bronze-coloured.
- Decimal coins (1968 onwards), such as old and new ten and fifty pence pieces, are cupronickel.
Many customers choose a coin from a meaningful year, such as a birth year, wedding year or the year they met. Some years are rare, and a few were never minted, so ask us if you're unsure.
What are your spoon and fork pieces made from?
Our spoon pendants, spoon rings and fork bangles are made from genuine vintage cutlery, either silver plated or solid sterling silver. Solid silver pieces often carry a hallmark showing where and when they were made, and we keep these wherever we can. You can also send us your own family spoon or fork to be made into something new.
What metal is your new silver made from?
When we make settings, chains, ear wires and cast pieces such as our skull rings, we use 100% recycled sterling silver, often from the off-cuts of our own coin and spoon work. Our sterling silver pieces are stamped 925.
Where does your copper come from?
Our copper bracelets are made from recycled copper, from old boiler tanks salvaged from listed properties to scrap copper wire. Copper develops a warm, darkening patina with wear; a quick polish brings back the shine if you prefer it bright.
What is Damascus steel?
Damascus steel is made by forging layers of different steels together, then etching the surface to reveal a flowing, wood-grain pattern. We make rings in:
- Damascus steel, with inserts of oak, copper, sterling silver, purpleheart wood or 9 14, 18 and 22ct. gold
- Titanium Damascus, lightweight and heat-coloured
- Austenitic stainless Damascus, non-magnetic and corrosion resistant
What are Hercules wing bearing rings?
These rings are made from titanium wing flap bearings from C-130J Hercules military transport aircraft, finished with inserts such as reclaimed oak or purpleheart wood or 9 14, 18 and 22ct. gold
What's inside your watch mechanism jewellery?
Our watch cufflinks, pendants and earrings use the movements of vintage mechanical watches, mostly from the 1960s and 70s, many with 17 ruby jewels. The movements no longer run; they're decorative pieces, and not waterproof.
And the cartridge cufflinks?
Our ammunition cufflinks are made from spent, empty shotgun cartridges and bullet casings, with no primer, powder or shot.
Why recycled materials?
Reusing coins, cutlery and metal that would otherwise sit in a drawer or be scrapped means nothing new is mined for your jewellery, and every piece carries its own history. It's our modern take on trench art, the tradition of turning everyday metal objects into something beautiful and meaningful.
Shop all our jewellery · Coin Pendants · Spoon Rings · Copper Bracelets