guide to gold jewelry.

November 11, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Gold jewelry is back – spotted on runways, adorned by celebrities and sold everywhere. There was a time when I wondered if gold would ever come back, and now it’s hard to imagine how it ever left the forefront.

With gold in demand, more questions arise about the gold jewelry available. Especially in a time of tight wallets we all need to know about quality and cost to make the best gold jewelry purchases. Below are some facts to help you.

Love, Pauline xoxo

What is the difference between gold-plated, gold-filled, gold and vermeil jewelry?

Gold-plated jewelry is the lowest quality of gold jewelry, but it is also the least expensive. With time its gold may wear away.

The gold on gold-filled and gold jewelry will NOT wear away. 14kt gold-filled jewelry contains less solid gold content than 14kt gold jewelry which contains less solid gold content than 18kt gold jewelry.

Because gold jewelry is quite a bit more expensive than gold-filled jewelry, gold-filled jewelry is a cost-efficient option for a high quality product.

Vermeil has the look of solid gold but it is actually sterling silver covered with a heavy layer of gold. It is a beautiful product made entirely of precious metal.

Does gold jewelry tarnish?

Solid gold does not tarnish. However gold jewelry including gold-plated, gold-filled, 14kt gold, 18kt gold, etc. has an alloy that can cause tarnish and discolor the skin. The higher the gold content, the less likely the jewelry will tarnish. Discoloration can be caused by cosmetics, humidity or perspiration. If your skin discolors from a piece of jewelry, try wearing pieces with a higher content of solid gold.

How do I care for my gold jewelry?

If a piece of gold jewelry is plated, use a chemical-free cloth to be sure that the gold doesn’t wear away. Otherwise gold jewelry may be cleaned using a polishing cloth. Do not expose jewelry to household cleansers or to chlorine in a swimming pool. Do not wear your jewelry when bathing. Store your jewelry away from sunlight in a zip bag or cloth pouch.

Category: Guides, Jewelry Tips & Info, Our Jewelry, Trends
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