Jewelry Care 101

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PIECES

DAILY CARE

Remove jewelry when doing activities that could damage it: lifting heavy objects, swimming, messy cooking — use common sense! Gold fill and 14k / 18k are ok to wear in water. When washing your hands with rings that can stay on, make sure there isn't soap trapped underneath! 

CLEANING + POLISHING

GOLD + DIAMONDS: Clean with mild dish detergent, warm water and a soft brush. Rinse and dry thoroughly with a soft polishing cloth. It's normal for 14k gold to tarnish a bit depending on your skin chemistry. A polishing kit will restore shine and remove any tarnish.

SILVER: Sterling silver will naturally oxidize over time with exposure to air and water. This darkening can be easily removed with a metal polish (such as Flitz or Goddard) or a silver polish cloth. We also love toothpaste to clean silver! The best way to prevent silver tarnish is wearing your jewelry often. Store silver jewelry in an airtight plastic bag to prevent tarnish. Remember that silver is very soft so avoid scratching with harsh brushes.

BRASS: Like silver, brass will oxidize over time with exposure to air and water. Avoid getting your brass jewelry wet. A brass cleaner like JAX will restore your piece to its original shine. Or use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to polish.

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WHAT IS IT MADE OF?

GOLD FILL

A few layers of gold are securely bonded over silver, brass or other base metals. Higher quality than both plated and vermeil pieces, gold filled jewelry will last decades before fading and is a great hypoallergenic option. 

GOLD VERMEIL

Pronounced “ver-MAY”, this process involves adding a thin layer of gold onto sterling silver. Stronger than plated jewelry but with a thinner gold layer than filled pieces, vermeil is a great middle ground. A polishing kit will restore shine and remove any tarnish.

GOLD PLATED

A thin layer of gold is applied onto a base of copper, silver or other metals. The gold will eventually fade over time, but when cared for properly it will stay shiny and beautiful for years.

14K / 18K GOLD

Pure gold is relatively soft, so durable metals such as zinc, nickel and copper strengthen the composition. 14K gold is 58.3% gold, 18 Karat is 75% gold. Almost no jewelry is made using pure 24K gold because it is too soft. Gold will not fade and is safe to wear in water.

STERLING SILVER

Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% silver, plus other metals for durability. Easy to maintain with regular wear and polishing. 

BRASS

Brass is an alloy made up of mostly copper and zinc. Perfect for gold lovers at a lower price point, brass develops a beautiful patina over time and can be polished regularly to be restored to its natural luster.

Jewelry is meant to be enjoyed and with a few simple tips and tricks, you can keep your pieces looking their best for years to come.