CINCO MATERIALS PHILOSOPHY
CINCO PRECIOUS METALS & DIAMONDS
CINCO is a Portuguese fine-jewelry brand creating authorial, design-led pieces by a Portuguese geographer. Our material choices balance design, wearability, precious-metal value and the way each piece evolves over time.
We work with 925 sterling silver, gold-plated 925 sterling silver, solid gold and natural diamonds. The exact composition of every piece is stated on its individual product page.
92.5% SILVER. MADE FOR EVERYDAY.
925 STERLING SILVER
925 means 92.5% silver. The remaining alloy gives the material greater strength and suitability for jewelry and everyday wear, while silver remains the precious-metal base.
RHODIUM FINISH
CINCO uses a rhodium finish. This is a precious metal from the platinum group that can be applied as a surface finish to some silver jewelry. It gives the surface a bright, reflective white appearance and can help protect the underlying silver and slow visible tarnishing.
It remains a surface layer, so friction, skin chemistry, and wear can change it over time. Not every CINCO silver piece is rhodium-plated; the individual product page always states the exact finish and composition.
SILVER VS STEEL
925 sterling silver is a precious-metal alloy with intrinsic precious-metal content. Steel is a non-precious metal alloy that can be practical and resistant, but it has a different material composition and value.
GOLD-PLATED 925 SILVER
Gold plating gives a piece a gold surface while 925 sterling silver remains its precious-metal base. It offers a different balance of design, wearability and precious-metal value from 18K gold.
Plating is a surface finish. Friction, skin chemistry and wear naturally influence how it changes over time. No universal plating karat or thickness is stated because specifications vary by piece.
925 VS 999 SILVER
Purity changes the material's characteristics. CINCO uses 925 sterling silver for its silver jewelry because it balances silver content with strength and wearability.
925 SILVER
92.5% silver, alloyed for greater strength and everyday jewelry wear. Silver remains the precious-metal base.
999 SILVER
99.9% silver, close to pure silver. Its higher purity also makes it softer and more malleable, so it is less suited to many everyday jewelry applications.
PLATED VS SOLID GOLD
GOLD-PLATED 925 SILVER
925 sterling silver forms the precious-metal base. Gold is applied as a surface layer and naturally changes with wear.
18K SOLID GOLD
Gold is present throughout the alloy. 18K / 750 contains 75% pure gold, with no plating layer to wear away.
75% PURE GOLD. MADE TO LAST
18K GOLD | SOLID GOLD
CINCO uses Gold is present throughout the alloy. There is no plating layer to wear away. Solid gold is chosen when gold is present throughout the alloy, with no plating layer to wear away. Fineness describes the proportion of gold in the alloy; higher karat means a higher proportion of gold, not automatically greater physical durability.
GOLD FINENESS
9K · 375‰ · 37.5%
14K · 585‰ · 58.5%
18K · 750‰ · 75%
19.2K · 800‰ · 80%
22K · 916‰ · 91.6%
24K · 999‰ · 99.9%
18K / 750 · 75% PURE GOLD
FORMED BY NATURE. EACH ONE INDIVIDUAL.
NATURAL DIAMONDS
CINCO uses only natural diamonds. Formed through geological processes within the Earth, each stone is individual.
CARAT ≠ KARAT
Carat measures diamond or gemstone weight. Karat expresses the proportion of gold in a gold alloy.
NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Natural diamonds and gemstones may vary in color, transparency, inclusions and appearance. These characteristics do not automatically indicate a defect.
DIAMOND CERTIFICATES
Where a CINCO diamond has an independent laboratory report, this is stated on its individual product page.
NATURAL DIAMONDS · THE 4Cs
The 4Cs—Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight—help explain a specific diamond. They should be read alongside the individual product information; CINCO does not assign one universal grade across all diamonds.
CUT
How proportions and facets interact with light, influencing brilliance, fire and scintillation.
COLOR
For diamonds graded on the traditional colorless scale, the relative absence of color.
CLARITY
Clarity describes inclusions and blemishes.
CARAT
Carat measures weight, not dimensions.
1 CARAT = 0.2 GRAMS
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE BUYING
Read the individual product page for the exact composition and characteristics of each piece.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Depending on the piece, specifications may include metal, fineness, finish or plating, weight, dimensions, gemstone, diamond characteristics and other relevant material information.
Individual product specifications always prevail.
CARE & CERTIFICATION
JEWELRY CARE
Explore practical guidance for preserving your jewelry over time.
INCM CERTIFICATION
Understand Portuguese precious-metal hallmarking and verification.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT A PIECE?
Our Customer Care team can help you understand the materials and specifications of a piece.