the story within metal
Metals hold memory; within their density, their patina, their quiet weight.
At Manawa, choosing metal is not just about durability; it is about lineage, resonance, presence. Here’s a reflection on why each metal matters, softly grounded in history and fact.
ancient brightness - sterling silver
Sterling silver has deep roots. It is 92.5% pure silver, tempered with 7.5% alloy — usually copper — so that this otherwise soft metal can endure daily life.
Silver is one of the earliest elements discovered by humans. It has been mined and worked since at least 4000 BCE, not only for its beauty but for its unrivalled ability to reflect light. Ancient Egyptians once considered silver more precious than gold, revering its pale brilliance as moonlight captured in metal.
In practice, in presence
In the studio, metal is more than material; it is language. Each alloy carries tone, each hue carries intent. And each piece becomes a whisper of memory, held close to the body, to the earth, to time itself.
“Every metal whispers differently — choose one that stills your breath, not just glints in light.”
the language of gold purity
Gold’s brilliance comes from its purity, or, in jewellery terms, its karat.
Each karat marks how much fine gold is folded into the alloy.
9k gold is roughly 37.5% pure gold
a hushed tone, durable, with muted warmth.
14k gold moves toward a brighter, richer note, about 58.3% pure.
It offers a balance of strength and luminosity.
18k gold is signature: 75% pure gold, with the rest lending strength and structure.
It carries warmth, malleability, and a soft, ancestral glow.
Pure 24k gold, though radiant, is too soft for daily wear,
it becomes a meretricious echo, rather than a lasting companion.
woven into the work
9k gold ~ a voice grounding growth, never meant to shout.
14k gold ~ a conversation: presentable, reliable, everyday reverence.
18k gold ~ the heirloom register, warm as memory, soft as breath.
sterling silver ~ bright vessel, alive with reflection, modest and lasting.
Each metal holds space differently. Each colour, weight, feeling tells part of the great story.