Business Card Case Aurea 925 Silver in Case — Gilt with Empire Cartouche

A business card case made of 925 sterling silver, featuring a gilded Empire border along the edge, while the center remains intentionally blank: an oval cartouche medallion, framed by floral gilding, waiting to be completed by your personal engraving. We call this design Aurea, Latin for golden, because here silver and gold play together in classic roles: silver as the base, gold as the ornament.

At a glance

• Material: 925 sterling silver, highly polished, with gold inlay (engraved and inlaid)
• Weight: approx. 84 g
• Dimensions: 95 x 60 x 5 mm
• Capacity: approx. 10 to 15 standard business cards (85 x 55 mm)
• Central motif: oval cartouche medallion, intentionally blank for individual engraving
• Frame: gilded Empire border with acanthus leaves, shells, and volutes
• Engraving area: oval medallion in the center or the inside of the flap
• Manufacture: Mstera Jewelry (Мстерский ювелирный завод), Vladimir region
• Packaging: velvet-lined gift case

Material and craftsmanship

The base material is 925 sterling silver, highly polished. A border of acanthus leaves, shell motifs, and volutes runs along all four edges—classic Empire ornamentation as found on 19th-century Russian silverware and writing instruments. In the center of the exterior sits an oval cartouche medallion; the oval itself is intentionally left blank. This is no coincidence, but rather the classic stage for a personal engraving, a monogram, an initial, or a small crest. The gilding is engraved and inlaid: the ornamental lines were first engraved into the silver and then filled with gold—no spraying, no foil, no electroplating layer. The case is crafted at the Mstera manufacture in the Russian Vladimir region, a traditional center for the goldsmith's art. The case carries the 925 silver hallmark.

Usage and occasions

At 95 x 60 x 5 mm and approx. 84 grams, the Aurea sits comfortably and with a sense of quality in the hand, holding 10 to 15 standard business cards—enough for everyday business life. It is the representative version of our case series: intended for occasions where the gift should have a classic, slightly formal character. For retirement in a leadership position, a major company anniversary, a promotion to a new professional role, or as a high-level corporate gift. The symbolism is also well-suited for a golden wedding anniversary. Because the central cartouche is still open, the case only becomes a truly personal piece through engraving.

Engraving and SilberVerse card

The oval medallion in the center is the designated space for your engraving, whether a classic monogram, simple initials, a family crest, or a date. The inside of the flap is also suitable for a short dedication. We will discuss the font and style before execution, as the floral gold framing deserves a matching visual language. On request, we include our SilberVerse card: a digitally designed photo card in 15 x 10 cm landscape format, complimentary and designed especially for the recipient, adding a personal story to the gift.

Care

Silver naturally tarnishes over time through contact with sulfur compounds in the air. On the Aurea, this is most noticeable on the mirror-polished silver surface between the gold ornaments, while the gold lines themselves remain bright, as gold is chemically much more noble than silver. With a soft silver polishing cloth, the original shine is restored in one to two minutes without damaging the gold inlay. Store in a dry place, ideally in the included gift case. No dishwasher, no abrasive sponge, no direct contact with perfume or skin cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the gilding real or just applied?

The gilding is engraved and inlaid: the ornamental lines were first engraved into the silver and then filled with gold. This is not foil or an electroplated layer that could peel off.

What is the oval cartouche in the center?

In classical ornamentation, a cartouche is a framed field intentionally left blank to serve as a space for an inscription, a crest, or a monogram. On the Aurea, this oval gold field is the stage for your individual engraving.

Will the silver turn dark, and the gold as well?

The silver may take on a slight yellow-to-gray tint over time; the gold, however, does not tarnish and remains bright. This ensures the contrast between the silver surface and the gold ornament is always preserved.

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