Gold vermeil (pronounced vehr-may) is .925 sterling silver layered with gold. To be called vermeil the gold must be at least 10 karat, be 1.5 micrometers thick and have sterling silver as the base metal. Vermeil is an excellent material for jewelry because it combines 2 precious metals, and because the plating is approximately 50 times thicker than regular gold plating, therefore it is more durable and tarnish proof. The gold vermeil used in our jewelry is usually 22 karat which gives it a very gold color and expensive look, but at an affordable price!

Gold-filled, also known as 1/20 gold is made by pressure-bonding or heating a layer of 12 or 14 karat gold to a brass core.The layer of gold created is approxiamtely 100 times thicker than gold plating, which is a minuscule film. The gold-filled product used in our jewelry is either 12 karat or 14 karat.

Both gold vermeil and gold-filled are excellent and affordable choices for jewelry because they will last a lifetime, if cared for properly. They have the same shine and richness as real 12 to 22 karat gold that won't wear down as regular gold plated jewelry does

What are recommendations for cleaning and storing gold vermeil and gold-filled jewelry?

All that's needed to keep your gold beautiful is a polishing cloth! Paper towels, napkins or tissues are not recommended as they can be abrasive and leave fibers behind. Do not use silver and gold cleaners, abrasives or even harsh soap that could cause a chemical reaction, particularly with the vermeil. When storing, it's best to keep the jewelry pieces separated with cloth or jewelry bag to keep the pieces from getting scratches.

 Is your silver sterling silver and is it nickel-free?

All of our silver is nickel-free!

Sterling silver or .925 sterling silver means that 92.5% of the product is actual siver and the other 7.5% is an alloy, usually copper, which is added for strength because pure silver, like gold, is too soft to be used in jewelry and other products.

Our silver is .925 with the exception of bali silver, which is used as accents in some pieces. Bali silver, or Bali beads, originally came from Indonesia and had exceptional craftmanship, quality and detail. Now Bali is created in more countries due to its popularity and demand, and sometimes has slightly less than 92.5% silver, so therefore it is not considered sterling silver.

 What are the recommendations for cleaning and storing silver jewelry?

Sterling silver, by nature does tend to tarnish, especially when exposed to heat and humidity, therefore it recommended that it be stored in a cool, dry place. The most economical way is to store your pieces in zip-loc bags. That is what alot of the jewelers do! This keeps out the moisture and prevents the jewelry pieces form scratching each other. There are "tarnish prevention" cloths and bags on the market now, that are for storing silver to protect it and slow down the tarnish process.

Sterling silver may be cleaned with a mild detergent (phosphate free) and water. Toothpaste is not recommended as it is fairly abrasive! Be sure the silver is thoroughly dried off with a cloth, not paper towels or napkins, before storing it. Old T-shirts or flannel works well as a polishing cloth, as they are usually soft and smooth - and economical.

Some feel the patina created by tarnishing is part of the beauty of sterling silver! It can develop a "glow" combined with a variety of light and dark areas.

If the patina's not for you, then silver polish is a good option! The 3M product called Tarni-Shield is considered a good product to remove tarnish and restore silver to its original shine.

Do not wear sterling silver in a swimming pool or expose to any chlorine bleach cleaning products as the chlorine will discolor the silver.

Enjoy your sterling silver! It is a very affordable, available and beautiful option for jewelry and with a little care, it will keep it's beauty for a long time!

New sterling alloys will be available someday soon, that do not contain copper and therefore will not tarnish the way .925 does now! We'll keep you posted!