Frames
Our frames are available in Monel steel alloy, stainless steel, memory titanium, pure titanium, plastic (acetate), aluminum and memory plastic.
Our standard frames are of Monel metal alloy. The overwhelming majority of metal frames sold in Australia , including most of the very expensive designer brand names are of this alloy. This is a strong metal alloy that adjusts well, and is relatively easy to manufacture into a wide variety of shapes and color finishes, hence its popularity.
Stainless steel frames are very strong, and are lighter, stronger, and more flexible and durable than Monel. They are also hypoallergenic. Stainless steel is harder and more expensive to manufacture and color finish into eyeglass frames and therefore tend to be more expensive.
Titanium is a relatively new material to come to the eyeglass frame market. It is an extremely light, strong and flexible material that makes for a superior, if somewhat expensive, eyeglass frame. Much harder to color than Monel, titanium frames are often sold in their unfinished, but attractive, natural silver-grey color.
Memory titanium is a titanium alloy that has the added superior quality of retaining its original shape even after extreme bending. It does contain nickel, and is, therefore, somewhat heavier than pure titanium, also less hypo-allergenic.
Our memory titanium frames use some of the latest SMA technology and are extremely flexible, lightweight and durable. Memory titanium is a titanium alloy belonging to the SMA or Shape Memory Alloy class, first discovered in the 30s.
Titanium is vastly over marketed, and many people have the mistaken perception that titanium is synonymous with indestructible, forever. This is not the case. It can be broken, just like any other material. The major feature of titanium is that it is much lighter in weight, mass for mass, and it is hypo-allergenic.
Memory plastic is another of the newest materials applied to eyeglass frames. It is very light, yet has a stress tolerance and flexibility far beyond that of other plastic frame materials.
NOTE: The rimless model frames on our website are designed to accomodate many sizes and shapes of lens, and one may choose from among any of the 27 lens shape and style choices offered for each rimless frame. Those framed which are accompanied by a 'multifocal' icon are the only ones quitable for multifocal prescriptions, the minimum lens height for which is 32mm or greater. But all lens may be used for single vision prescriptions, as well.
With respect to rimless frames, if you are ordering a pair of glasses in a rimless frame, you will be required to make a lens choice for size and shape, regardless of whether you choose to put a prescription in the lens, or not. If you do not make a choice, the lens shape illustrated in the frame on the website will be sent.
Please be advised in ordering a rimless framestyle, that it is more suitable for a sedentary lifestyle. It is not designed to withstand the pressure of a very active wearer, in that there is no frame protecting the lens, and the rimless style requires more consideration in its wear and care. When cleaning the lens of a rimless frame, for example, it's important to hold the lens firmly in one hand, using the cleaning cloth with the other, and not just pushing the lens against the frame, in cleaning. The pressure may loosen the frame connections, if not actually damaging the integrity of the lens. They are not meant for contact sports, biking, and other physically demanding environments.
If you simply want a replacement frame, the procedure for ordering a replacement frame may be found under the drop down entitled "Repairs/Returns." A replacement frame may be purchased for -50% of the cost, but please note that you will be required by the computer to make a lens shape selection (only if you're ordering a rimless frame style), as well as a PD, in order to process the order, but you will NOT be sent an optical lens. If you elect to purchase for -50%, the glasses will arrive with a filler lens only, which will not be the shape illustrated or selected. It will be a generic filler lens, and not suitable for wearing.
