Materials & Care

Materials

We use gold-filled, .925 sterling silver and vermeil exclusively in our jewelry. These are all high-quality metals that are known to be long lasting and safe for sensitive skin. The majority of our pieces are made with gold-filled due to their excellent characteristics described below.

Gold-filled

  • composed of a thick, solid layer of gold pressure bonded to a base metal (usually copper/brass)
  • produced through a strictly regulated process, legally requires 5% pure karat gold by weight
  • gold layer is typically 100x thicker than regular gold-plated items
  • tarnish resistant
  • hypoallergenic
  • can last decades with proper care
  • more affordable than solid gold but with a similar look
  • more durable and valuable than regular gold-plated or vermeil 

.925 Sterling Silver

  • composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals - usually copper, for added hardness/durability, since pure silver is too soft to maintain its shape
  • hypoallergenic
  • affordable
  • long lasting
  • may oxidize – this is a natural occurrence, not an indication of quality, but can be restored easily (see care instructions for proper maintenance)

Vermeil

  • composed of a layer of karat gold plated to a sterling silver base
  • hypoallergenic
  • affordable
  • more durable and valuable than regular gold-plated items
  • gold layer may wear down over time, making the piece become lighter, revealing the sterling silver base - which can still be beautiful (see care instructions for proper maintenance)

 

Care

To keep your jewelry in their best shape and to increase their longevity, we recommend:

Storing

  • use individual airtight, sealable bags, protected inside a rigid container
  • add anti-tarnish strips (especially for sterling silver jewelry) to absorb air pollutants that may cause tarnish
  • avoid moisture, open air and harsh chemicals

Handling

  • our jewelry are delicate by design - please handle with care, refrain from bending, pulling or squishing
  • for .925 sterling silver jewelry: the more often you wear them the better, as your skin’s natural oils can help prevent tarnish and maintain its color/luster

Cleaning

  • for gold-filled and vermeil, use a dry, chemical-free, soft microfiber cloth to gently clean and restore shine
  • for .925 sterling silver, use a sterling silver cleaning/polishing cloth or cleaning solution to remove tarnish and restore shine (avoid contact with pearls)