At Bijoux MBee, we use only the finest materials to create heirloom pieces that will last and can be handed down through the generations.

Many tiara makers use plated wire in their creations to keep their costs (though not necessarily their prices) to a minimum. Doubtless a tiara made with plated wire will look pretty enough on the day, provided it is bought late enough that it doesn't have time to tarnish. Over time it will discolour, and become impossible to clean. Remember the gold plated necklaces you had as a child, that looked convincing when new, but left an ugly green mark on your neck after a few days' wear?

We never use plated wire in our tiaras. We use only the very best quality wires: Sterling Silver Fine Silver Gold Filled

Sterling Silver is silver which is 92.5% pure, having had a small quantity of another metal such as copper added to give it extra strength and hardness. Most silver jewellery is made from Sterling Silver.

Fine Silver is silver which is at least 99.9% pure. Ordinarily too soft for use in jewellery making, Fine Silver in the form of fine gauge wire is very useful when a design calls for wire to be woven or crocheted.

Gold Filled is also known as Rolled Gold. Pure gold, as well as being prohibitively expensive, is too soft to be used in wire wrapping. Gold Filled refers to the process of bonding a layer of gold onto a base of some other metal, such as Sterling Silver or copper. That layer must be a minimum of 1/20 of the total weight. Gold Filled wire is effectively a tube of gold around a silver or copper core. It contains 100 times as much gold as gold plated wire and, unlike plated, it will withstand cleaning when required and retain its beauty. Like carat gold or Sterling Silver, gold filled jewellery will last a lifetime if cared for properly.

Our base bands are of tarnish-resistant gilt or silver-coloured metal.

Other materials that we use in the construction of our tiaras and jewellery include: Sterling Silver and Karen Hilltribe Silver beads Bohemian and Swarovski crystals Freshwater Biwa pearls Gemstone beads and tumblechips Mother of Pearl, shells and feathers

Our Karen Hilltribe Silver beads and charms are from Thailand, where they are handcrafted by Karen silversmiths. The silver used is much purer than Sterling, usually around 98.5% pure.

We use Swarovski and Bohemian machine cut and fire-polished crystal beads and pendants. Machine cut crystals sparkle with stunning brilliance. Fire-polished crystal has a subtler luminescence.

Our pearl tiaras and jewellery are made with genuine freshwater pearls, not glass "pearl" beads.

The findings used in our jewellery are Sterling Silver, Karen Silver, Gold Filled and carat Gold.

Our commitment to quality is reflected also in our packaging. Jewellery from our Bridal and Evening range is presented in our deluxe cases. These are covered in natural light brown sil touch material with a lightly padded grained nubuk lid. They have cream flock base pads, and our brand name is embossed in gold lettering on the cream silk padded lid liner. The cases are shipped boxed to ensure that they arrive in pristine condition.

For our Everyday Jewellery range, our standard box is of top quality ribbed black card, with our brand name in gold lettering on the hinged lid. These have a button fastening, with black foam insert.

All Headdresses are presented in our pretty but sturdy keepsake boxes. Colours and patterns may vary, but you can be assured that quality will remain constant.