Materials & FAQ
What is the difference between plated brass, sterling silver/vermeil, gold filled, rose gold filled, and solid gold?
Plated Brass
Brass that is electroplated with rhodium or gold plating. Most affordable! The plating helps the jewelry from tarnishing and just as long as you take good care for it, it should last awhile before tarnishing.
.925 Sterling Silver & Vermeil
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. Sterling silver will tarnish due to natural chemical reactions exposed to air. Wearing your silver often is best because your natural oils actually help keep it shiny. If your silver tarnishes, take a jewelry or soft cloth and rub it gently. This will bring back the shine!
Vermeil is sterling silver that is gold plated. Yes, eventually the gold plating will fade and your jewelry will turn silver, but if you follow the care instructions then it should last for a long time.
Gold Filled / Rose Gold Filled
Gold filled is brass with solid gold pressure bonded to the core. Gold filled has the solid gold layered on top of the brass, so it is much more affordable than solid gold. Rose gold is the same as gold filled except, copper is mixed with alloy to give the rosy color. Gold filled can tarnish over time, but a very long time as long as you take good care of your jewelry by following our care instructions. If it does tarnish just gently use a jewelry or soft cloth to clean, but please be gentle and do not rub hard or it can cause the gold to rub off over time.
Solid Gold
Solid gold has no brass and it is made of gold alloy. Solid gold does not mean that it is 100% pure gold. Anything that is 10k gold is just as solid as a 22k gold, but there is more higher purity in the 22k. Solid gold will last forever compared to any other metal.
Gemstones
Opal & Turquoise should never get wet or be submerged in water. If your opal or turquoise gets wet, take a soft cloth and dry, and then let it air dry for 24 hours.