Jewelry Care & FAQ
- Household and outdoor chores
- Showering, bathing or swimming in pools, hot tubs, hot springs and the ocean.
- Using lotion, hair products, fragrances and other cosmetics
- Exercising at the gym or during contact sports
- Preparing meals
Cleaning your silver jewelry
Cleaning your gold filled jewelry
Cleaning your brass jewelry
Lemon and Lime
Vinegar and Flour Paste
Brass Cleaning Tips
14k Gold Fill FAQ
What is 14k gold fill?
High quality, affordable alternative to solid gold
Despite its name, gold fill is actually a layer of solid gold bonded to high quality jeweler's brass
5% gold by weight - 100x more gold than gold plating. Gold plating will wear through and tarnish fairly quickly.
Compared to gold vermeil, gold fill has a thicker layer of gold that is pressure and heat bonded versus gold vermeil's electroplating process. It will last longer and is waterproof, where vermeil is not.
With proper care, gold-filled jewelry can last for many years without discloring or signs of wear
Does 14k gold fill tarnish?
Although gold filled jewelry is waterproof and durable, we want to give realistic care expectations and give you the information you need to help your jewelry live its longest possible life. So while you can wear your jewelry at all times, greater attention to care can increase its longevity.
Chemicals, when left on the surface of your pieces, can cause the gold to tarnish more quickly than it should. There are chemicals in a lot of things (even you!), and it’s important to be aware of the factors that could potentially cause tarnishing.
- Pools and hot tubs - Just don’t do it with jewelry on. The chemicals used to kill bacteria in pools create a harsh environment for jewelry, and they’re even more concentrated in hot tubs.
- Sweat - There are a lot of chemicals in your sweat, and depending on your personal body chemistry (or medications you may be taking), it could be hard on your pieces, so it’s best to take jewelry off to work out.
- Products - Perfume, hairspray, lotions and sunscreen! Try to minimize these kinds of things ending up on your jewelry by putting your jewelry on last or taking it off for certain activities.
Will 14k gold fill turn my finger green?
No! However, everyone reacts to metals differently. There are certain cases where peoples body chemistry reacts to gold, oxidizing it and leaving a green residue on your skin. This has to do with your PH levels. Tarnishing does not mean that your jewelry will ever flake or turn your skin green, it is simply the gradual darkening/dulling of metal over time, but polishing and proper care can slow this process