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It always best to remove your jewelry before bed to increase its longevity and avoid breaking the piece during your sleep. That being said, it will not harm the surface of your jewelry if you sleep in it. Delicate pieces like dainty necklaces, bracelets, or chains can snag on your nightwear or bed sheets. So, taking your gold fill jewelry off and wiping it to remove dirt is a great way to ensure it stays brighter for longer.
A tangled chain is the quickest way for your piece to get damaged or break.
Sometimes due to handling or storage, you may find that your chain has tangled. Afterall, we don't expect you to just keep it in its box ;) Don’t worry as this can easily be undone and avoided for the future.
You can reduce chain tangles or knot by following the simple tips below:
• First thing to remember is never pull the chain. This will only tighten the tangle and possibly create a knot.
• Before wearing it, hold one end in the air and allow the other end to dangle. Allow the chain to spin it till you feel it is not twisted.
• Be sure that your chain clasp is closed when storing it. With that, you can avoid the chain twisting or tangling during storage.
• Store your piece in a ziplock bag, ideally wrapped on a piece of card in the same way as when you received it. These are airtight and can help prevent tangling.
• Ensure the container is so small that other pieces would find it hard to move around.
• Always ensure that the clasp is closed when storing - A simple one but the clasp helps to keep the chain in place and makes it easier to untangle if it occurs.
• When traveling long distances, you can put the ziplock bag in a small, airtight container. They are simple and easy to get, easy to travel with, and you do not have to worry about tarnishing due to their compact nature.
Summer tends to be hard on jewelry as metals tarnish faster with humidity. You may also end up getting your jewelry covered in sunscreen and/or dipping your jewelry in the pool or oceans during the summer, which all contribute to tarnishing.
Here are some summer care tips to keep your favourite jewelry sparkling in the summer sun.
• Avoid taking your precious piece to the pool or the ocean, as the chemicals used in keeping the water clean and the sea air can damage it.
• Be sure to take off your jewelry if you'll be engaging in any activity that will make you sweaty. Your sweat contains unique chemicals that may tarnish your bracelet, necklace, or ring.
• If you forget to take off your jewelry in the summer sun, during activities, at the pool or beach, wash the sweat off with fresh warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth to ensure the sweat doesn't stay on the surface of the jewelry.
• Take your jewelry off if you're going out in summer. If you lather up with your sunscreen, leave it for a few minutes to soak in and wash your hands before putting on your jewelry.
• Sunscreen contains lots of strong chemicals that are hard on precious metals. After wearing your jewelry while wearing sunscreen, ensure you remove any residual lotion by washing it that day.
• Generally, the summer is usually hard on chemicals. If you have a silver or gold polishing cloth, it will be very handy in summer. Prevent your precious piece from being tarnished by the summer's heat and humidity by using it sparingly and follow these tips on caring for your jewelry in summer.
• If you are ever unsure, always clean your jewelry at the end of the day using warm water and mild soap. This will help increase the life of your jewelry.
14k gold fill is a safe and highly durable gold for all types of skin, including sensitive skin. It has a thick external layer of gold made according to the USA industry standard requirement of 5 percent or 1/20th pure gold by mass.
Gold fill is also sometimes referred to as gold-filled.
Gold fill is created by pressure bonding various solid 14 karat gold layers with severe heat over the innermost part of a premium base metal, resulting in a high quality and durable, authentic gold product.
Interestingly gold filled is not actually "filled" with gold. Instead the gold is located on the outside.
The gold in the 14k gold-fill jewelry is pure gold, the same gold as a solid 14k gold piece.
The 14k Rose gold fill is exactly how it sounds. It has the same solid gold content as 14k gold fill but the difference is just the colour. Instead of being yellow in colour it is rose.
Gold fill is the best quality option after solid gold.
We source the best quality materials for our gold fill pieces and it is a more affordable option for gold jewelry. Therefore, the longevity of this material depends on different factors.
You may hear that gold fill will never tarnish and that it lasts a lifetime. Although this is possible there are a variety of factors that can affect the longevity of your pieces. It can vary from person to person as your body chemistry, your individual lifestyle and how much you care for the piece can have a huge impact on its performance.
The main effects on 14K gold filled depends on:
1) What the jewelry is exposed to and comes into contact with - chemicals etc.
2) What remains on the piece for a long period of time and how you clean it – makeup, lotions etc.
3) How it is stored. More exposure to oxygen and sulphur increases the chance of oxidization.
Despite its durability and quality, if exposed, certain elements can sneak in and cause tarnishing with your 14k gold fill jewelry.
Sweat, chlorine, and sunscreen are the major culprits that lead to gold fill tarnishing.
Many beauty products, toning shampoos, medicated face washes, hair products, and lotions have ingredients that may react when they touch the outer layer of your gold-fill.
Some of the common factors that cause tarnishing are:
Pools, Hot Tubs & The Beach: A big yes for you...a big NO for your jewelry. The chemicals used in killing bacteria in pools and hot tubs is more concentrated and can be very harsh on your jewelry. Even the salt in the sea air can affect your
piece.
Body Chemistry:This is a bit hit and miss as every person's body is different. It is however a factor that can still cause your piece to tarnish. We have different body chemistry and hormones as individuals and one person's hormone and body chemistry may be milder than another person's own. Medications can also interact and change a person’s body chemistry.
So, the best way to know how your body chemistry will react to this jewelry is to try it out. Generally, it is a perfect match for 90 percent of people while it may not be as vibrant after a few months for the remaining 10 percent.
Getting Sweaty:Our sweat contains a lot of chemicals, depending on our body chemistry or the medications (if any) we take. These chemicals may react with gold fill jewelry if they're harsh. It's always best to remove jewelry before a workout to avoid tarnishing.
Body Products: Hairspray, perfume, lotions, and sunscreen are major factors that cause tarnishing, and they should be minimized when you're wearing your gold fill. Always put your jewelry on last and/or if you can, avoid wearing your gold fill jewelry when you're using these products.
Generally not. However in rare circumstances some people's body chemistry may react with the non-gold alloys in 14k gold fill and even 14k solid gold, leaving a dark residue which can stain your skin (our bodies are amazing yet curious things!). This shouldn't be cause for concern since it happens in only 0.001 percent of people. This reaction can be made worse near the ocean with the salt air.
Any side effect caused by the natural properties found in our jewelry is unavoidable and not valid for a refund.
The main (and simplest) difference between gold fill and gold plated is that gold fill has more real gold.
Other differences include:
• The external layer of gold fill jewelry is about 100 times much thicker than that of a gold-plated one.
• Gold fill also has a more durable external bonding carried out by extreme pressure and heat.
• Making a gold-plate involves dipping jewelry into a gold-coloured alloy or a solution that has gold in it and zapping it with an electric current. This leads to an electrochemical reaction that deposits a tiny gold layer on the base metal.
• Making gold fill involves the use of extreme heat and pressure to mechanically bond gold to the core, which results in a strong and thick external surface that is not prone to cracking or flaking.
• Gold fill material has a minimum requirement of 5% gold by weight to be referred to as "gold fill." Gold-plate material, on the other hand, doesn't have a clear or specific requirement.
• The 14k gold fill also has a core made with a high-quality base metal to increase durability.
• Due to its lower quality, gold-plated materials are less expensive and may be prone to flaking or chipping.
• Gold fill has more gold than gold-plated, and the gold is also more durable. The 14k gold fill also has a regulated standard during production, while the gold-plated involves a wide range of thicknesses, making it hard for you to determine the amount of gold in the plating layer.
How you store your jewelry also contributes to its longevity.
Remember - More airflow = More oxidization
The best way to store it is by keeping it in an airtight container where there's restricted airflow, reducing the chance of chemical reactions that may lead to tarnishing.
Ziplock bags are great as they are airtight and do not contain any chemical that may cause tarnishing. You should also store them under low humidity.
Depending on your lifestyle your piece will benefit from day-to-day maintenance.
The best way to clean your gold fill jewelry is by using mild soap with water and a soft cloth to dry it. You should also polish your piece with a gold polishing cloth (not daily and only when necessary) to remove hidden dirt like lotions and body oils from it.
Here's what you can do to care for your gold fill jewelry every day:
• After wearing your gold fill jewelry every day, wipe your piece with a soft cloth to remove oils and makeup that can transfer onto it
• If you've been sweaty all day, we highly recommend rinsing your piece in lukewarm water to remove the sweat and dry it with a soft cloth
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to air and natural skin oils by removing your jewelry before bed.
A nice deep cleaning should be done when your gold fill gets caked in your sweat or oils. It is also beneficial to deep clean your piece every few wears to get rid of hidden dirt.
Here's the best way to deep clean your piece:
• Put a little mild soap in a bowl of lukewarm water
• Soak your piece for one minute
• Gently scrub your piece with a very soft toothbrush focusing on the places where dirt particles are likely to build up.
• Rinse in warm water until the soap is completely removed.
• Dry and ensure the water is completely gone before storing it.
The metals we use do not rust so generally natural water such as rain or a river etc will not cause your piece to tarnish.
Do be careful using harsh soaps and shampoo while showering as the chemicals can be harmful to your piece.
Water treated with chemicals such as pools and hot tubs can also be harsh on your piece. It is best to remove your jewelry before entering any of these.
If your piece does get wet or you would like to shower wearing your jewelry you can take the following steps to ensure its longevity:
• Rinse and dry your piece as soon as possible
• Use low PH and mild soaps and shampoos
• Remove your jewelry before applying creams and lotions
Sterling Silver is an alloy achieved from a blend of pure silver and several other strengthening metals. The need for sterling silver surfaced because pure silver is not hard enough to create functional objects.
Despite the supposed adulteration from other metals, sterling silver boasts 92.5% pure silver, giving it a precious metal status. The missing 7.5% is catered for by the copper added to strengthen and preserve the ductility, appearance, and purity of the silver.
The average duration of any sterling silver is between 20-30 years. However, if you maintain it well then you will be able to use it for a very long time, if not forever.
Silver does not react on a chemical level, yet it can be easily affected by some atmospheric conditions. One major cause of silver getting tarnished is exposure to airborne compounds of sulphur, this causes black tarnish to appear.
One of the great things about sterling silver jewelry is its ability to be renewed through polishing. A quick polish can remove the tarnish and have your piece looking as good as new!
Cleaning and removing tarnish can be done in these very simple steps:
Polishing Cloths: Polishing cloths are a little section of cloth with polish already on it. This cloth can be perfectly helpful in buffing out all the tarnish you see.
Use Salt and Soda Mixture: This is for people with heavy tarnish. You only need to line your pan with aluminum foil, soak the sterling silver in a bath mixed with 1tsp salt and 2tsp baking soda and simply wait five minutes. By this time the salt and soda would have worked together in helping to polish the piece.
Note: Using a cloth wouldn’t do the trick of cleaning out the little crevices in your piece so using one of these methods can ensure your piece is thoroughly cleaned.
Good Old Finger Grease: You simply need to have a soft cloth and precious metal cleaner alongside your silver. Gently hand polish your piece until the vibrance is restored. This will also help in the preservation of the unique patinas found in older pieces.
While cleaning, ensure you do so gently as being aggressive can result in permanent damages and devaluation of the silver.
It is possible however this is very rare and is usually caused by a chemical reaction between your skin and the metal. Copper being the number one culprit as it reacts with the pH levels on your skin and causes the green colour where your skin and the metal meet.
Remember: A green colour does not always indicate a cheap metal; it simply indicates a chemical reaction!
Any side effect caused by the natural properties found in our jewelry is unavoidable and not valid for a refund.
Correctly storing your piece after each wear can increase its longevity and vibrancy.
Here are few ways you can store your jewelry to ensure it reduces the time it is exposed to air in turn lessening the chance of tarnish:
• Store in a ziplock bag. These are inexpensive and airtight when closed correctly.
• Make sure your piece is clean and dry before storing.
• Ensure the environment has low humidity.
• If your piece has a clasp, make sure this is closed to reduce the chance of tangling.
Since the metals we use do not rust, generally they cannot be affected by freshwater, especially from rain or other natural water bodies.
Nonetheless, be wary of harsh soaps or shampoos during baths.
Also, be sure to avoid water that has undergone chemical treatment. It is always better to take your piece off before entering a pool or hot tub.
Some other things to do if you choose to shower with sterling silver jewelry are:
• Opt for mild soaps or other products. It is also beneficial to avoid highly fragranced products.
• In case of exposure to products, rinse thoroughly.
• Apply creams or lotion wait for them to dry before putting on your piece.
Gold vermeil is jewelry made with a combination of silver and gold. It has a sterling silver base with a thick layer of gold coating.
It looks just like solid gold jewelry but is much less expensive. To legally be called vermeil, it must contain 2.5 microns thick gold layer and a core metal made of sterling silver. Vermeil is great for people who have sensitive skin because of the combination of two precious metals. Since it contains gold and silver, the sterling silver will remain if the gold rubs off.
In original vermeil, gold of varied fineness is usually used for the gold-plating layer. They are often between 10 karats to 24 karats. The kind of gold fineness used usually determines the vermeil's colour. For instance, 24k will be a deep yellow colour while 10k would be light yellow.
Before cleaning your gold vermeil, you should consider the fineness. The lower the karat, the higher the durability of such a piece, and the higher the karat, the lower the durability. For instance, a 14k vermeil jewelry will be more resistant than a 24k one.
Follow the tips below when cleaning your gold vermeil:
1. When cleaning, use a soft soap and lukewarm water.
2. Do not dip your gold vermeil in water. Instead, dip a soft cloth in the water and soap and rub the cloth gently on your gold vermeil
3. After cleaning your gold vermeil, dip another cloth in plain clean water and use it to clean it.
4. Lastly, dry it until the water completely dries up, wrap with a soft cloth and place it in your jewelry box.
You can also take the following steps to ensure the longevity of you gold vermeil:
• Avoid harsh detergents and chemicals
• Do not use a jewelry brush to avoid rubbing off the gold layer and exposing the silver underneath
• Be careful when using polishing cloths as most are treated for silver. It is better to use "un-treated" cloths.
• Avoid wearing your gold vermeil after applying perfume or body lotion, as the chemicals in these products can ruin the look of your jewelry. If you must wear them after using such products, wait for 5-6 minutes after applying them before wearing your gold vermeil.
• When storing your gold vermeil, keep them separately from other jewelry to prevent them from scratching. You can wrap them in a cloth if you must keep them together with other jewelry pieces.
• If there is an area on your gold vermeil jewelry that has dirt built up, but you couldn't reach it, it would be best if you take it to a professional jewelry cleaner or a jewelry shop.
• With this, you can be sure of keeping your jewelry pieces as new as ever
• If you find discoloured patches on your gold vermeil, the gold layer may have worn off. However, this doesn't happen if you follow the right cleaning methods and always take care of your gold vermeil. If it happens, you can take your gold vermeil to the jewelry shop for replating.
