Metals are back, but what do you need to know?

Walk into a glasses shop and you are bound to be asked, “plastic or metal?” This question, while meant to be helpful, might obscure or even devalue the media used to to produce your glasses.

Metals are making a big comeback in eyewear right now, but what should you know about the material? Most mass-produced metal frames are made from plated nickel. It can break, discolor, and it is estimated that ~18% of North Americans are allergic to nickel. There are a lot of other choices for quality metal frames, so here is a run-down of what you will find at Eyes on Hudson.

1. Titanium: This is probably the most widely used quality material. The highest quality being from Japan, where it is made strong and sturdy and flexible. This is the material you will find in Gotti, Masunaga, and Jacques Marie Mage.

2. Palladium: This is new! Palladium is similar to platinum and used by eyewear designer Ahlem to achieve durable and uniquely beautiful designs. To see the filigree in person is to understand the jewelry-like craftsmanship that can go into eyewear.

3. Stainless Steel: 20 years ago the designers at Haffmans & Neumeister originated the technique of stamping out a complete frame from a sheet of stainless steel at IC Berlin. After the frame is cut from the sheet of steel, it is bent and polished it into a minimalist, ultra-light piece of work.