What is Gold Filled?

Gold filled is also called rolled-gold. These jewelry items are not actually filled with gold. They are made of a base metal (usually brass or copper) covered by sheets of gold in a mechanical bonding process. Effectively a thick coat of gold: the gold content is 5% or 1/20 of the total weight. Use gold-filled items for your top-of-the-line jewelry. Usually made with 14k gold, it is hard wearing. With reasonable care it will not peel or flake, and should last as long as solid 14k gold jewelry. It is safe for most people with sensitive skin.

Use a chamois cloth to clean gold jewelry. A chamois cloth is a gentle, safe material for returning the luster to your jewelry.

Avoid storing or otherwise exposing gold jewelry to hard, abrasive materials. Gold is a very soft metal, easily scratched even by rubbing against other jewelry.

What is Gold Vermeil?

Vermeil is sterling silver that has been gold-plated. The difference between vermeil, and gold-filled, is in the thickness of the gold and the base metal used. In vermeil, the base is sterling silver.

What is Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is a mixture of pure silver and some other metal, usually copper. The resulting alloy gives the silver strength. The standard is at least 92.5% silver. Hence the .925 stamp you see on some sterling silver items.

Storing your sterling silver in the open air and humidity for extended periods of time can cause it to tarnish quickly.

Tarnish first appears as a golden hue on your sterling silver then quickly turns to black. This is a normal process that is caused by oxidization and moisture from air and believe it or not sunshine. To keep tarnish to a minimum it is advised that you store your jewelry pieces when not wearing them.

To reduce tarnish and keep your pieces tarnish free for months at a time, it is recommended that you keep your sterling silver jewelry in an air-tight protective bag made of tarnish proof cloth or you can use a plastic zip lock bag made of Mylar.

What is Gemstone?

A gemstone (also called a precious stone) is a mineral that is valuable, rare and often beautiful. A few organic materials, like coral and pearls are also considered gemstones.

How to keep your jewelry HAPPY?

• Protect all jewelry from scratches, sharp blows, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and sunlight.
• After each wearing, gently wipe each piece of jewelry clean of make-up and skin oils with a 100% cotton cloth.
• Store jewelry separately so it doesn't scratch other jewelry.
• Remove jewelry when doing household tasks such as gardening, cleaning, household repairs or other strenuous activities.
• Apply make-up and hair spray before putting on your jewelry. Make-up and hair spray contain chemicals that may affect your jewelry.
• Do not store jewelry next to heating vents, window stills, or in the car.
• Store jewelry away from the sunlight. The sun may fade some gemstones.
• Do not wear jewelry while in a pool, hot tub, or bathing. The chlorine in the water can damage various gemstones and metals including gold.
• Always store bead necklaces strung on silk flat because silk stretches over time.
• Frequent cleaning is recommended to maintain its true beauty. Salt water, chlorine in swimming pools, soap, perfumes, personal products and perspiration take their toll on all fine jewelry. Wipe your jewelry carefully with a soft cloth to keep it clean and make your jewelry happy!