What is Zamak You Ask?

What is Zamak?

Zamak (also written ZAMAK) is a family of zinc-based die-casting alloys composed primarily of zinc with controlled additions of aluminum, magnesium, and copper.

The name “Zamak” comes from the German names of its alloying elements:

• Zink
• Aluminium
• Magnesium
• Kupfer (copper)

In jewelry and craft components (like many TierraCast-style items), Zamak allows detailed designs at a reasonable cost while maintaining durability.

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Advantages vs. Brass or Pewter

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So let's have a look

These earrings are from Passion Fashion'sOrganic Shapes collection https://www.passionfashion.gr/en/organic-shapes. It shows an eye catching earring design made with Zamak components. Of note here is the Zamak earring posts with the titanium pins. The earrings stops are stainless steel with a 24k plated finish (keeping everything hypo-allergenic)

Ok, so we currently don't have any of the components shown here but maybe soon. We do have a selection of post earrings, charms beads and bails. The earrings stops shown here will soon be made available with our post earrings in silver and gold.

Will Zamak tarnish?

In most cases, you won’t see Zamak itself tarnishing because:

• It is almost always plated or coated (e.g., antique silver, gold, gunmetal, brass finishes)
• The plating layer is what actually reacts first

So what you’ll notice is:

• Fading or wear of the finish
• Darkening or dulling of the plating
• Exposure of the base metal underneath if heavily worn

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Factors that accelerate tarnishing

• Moisture / humidity
• Skin oils and sweat (especially acidic skin)
• Perfumes, lotions, chemicals
• Friction from regular wear

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How to slow it down

• Store in a dry, sealed container (zip bags help)
• Keep away from water and chemicals
• Wipe pieces after handling or wearing
• Use an anti-tarnish strip in storage