Jewelry Care

Goldeluxe jewelry is made with love out of brass, sterling silver, 14k gold fill and solid gold. All pieces are handcrafted, so please allow for slight variations or flaws - that's what makes them special!  All earring posts, backs and hooks are either gold filled, sterling silver or solid 14k gold.

If your hands come into contact with chemicals often, removing all jewelry is recommended regardless of metal content. Please read individual item descriptions for more information about specific materials used.

All about brass: Brass is a lovely and affordable alternative to gold. Since our brass jewelry is not plated, it's easy to clean, and there's no need to be concerned about the color wearing off.

Brass may naturally develop a darker patina over time as it reacts to the environment as well as the wearer's skin. Your piece will become unique to you as it settles in to your personal chemistry. If you prefer to keep your jewelry shiny and clean, try to avoid water (especially chlorine and saltwater) as well as lotions, perfumes, sweat, etc. Pieces that come in direct contact with skin are more likely to tarnish over time. Be sure to store your jewelry in a clean and dry environment.

Some people may have a reaction to brass that turns their skin green. Other people have no reaction at all. To prevent this reaction, avoid contact with water, sweat and other chemicals. An easy solution is to paint the inside of your brass ring with clear nail polish. 

All about silver: Sterling silver may naturally develop a darker patina over time as it reacts to the environment as well as the wearer's skin. Your piece will become unique to you as it settles in to your personal chemistry. Everyone’s body chemistry is different, but typically, sterling silver jewelry that is worn regularly will stay bright and untarnished. If it sits in open air for long periods of time it is more likely to tarnish. Storing your jewelry in a clean, dry environment and sealed in a bag or box will help. Chlorine in swimming pools will sometime discolor sterling silver - this color will eventually wear away or can be cleaned off easily with the below methods.

Cleaning brass and sterling silver: If you want to give your jewelry a polish to brighten it up, there are many methods. Both brass and sterling silver are is easily cleaned with household substances such as white toothpaste, ketchup, or by making a paste with lemon juice and baking soda. Use a toothbrush or a soft cloth to scrub your jewelry with the solution of your choice. A typical jewelry cleaner or cloth works as well. If your piece has recessed lines that have been blackened, please do not clean with an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner - it will remove the black oxidation. Your local jeweler would be able to clean up your piece as well. If your piece has stones or pearls, be very gentle with them and wipe them with a soft, dry cloth.

About 14k gold fill: 14k gold filled jewelry is coated with a layer of 14k gold. It is similar to gold plated jewelry but the layer is much thicker so it will not wear away quickly like gold plated jewelry. It’s essentially a solid gold tube “filled” with brass. The gold tube is generally about 100x thicker than gold plating and is way more durable and long lasting. However, if you wear gold filled jewelry 24/7 for a few years, especially rings, you may start to see some wear. If you take good care of your jewelry and remove it when showering, sleeping, swimming and coming in contact with chemicals it will last much longer.

Gold filled jewelry is the next best thing to solid gold at a small fraction of the price. It’s a great choice for sensitive skin and will not tarnish. However, if you’re looking for an heirloom piece of gold jewelry to last a lifetime, I recommend going with solid gold.

Gold Plate/Vermeil: The gold plated jewelry you will find on this website uses a heavy gold plating over sterling silver, known as vermeil. This is the highest quality of gold plating possible - this is why it’s a bit more pricy than plated jewelry you may see at the mall. It’s made to last a long time, using sterling silver under the gold in order to avoid a layer of nickel (this is required under plating with other metals so the base metal doesn’t leach through).

Gold plated jewelry cannot be guaranteed to last forever as the coating of gold can fade away over time with excessive wear and tear. This is also the case with plated jewelry marketed as “waterproof jewelry” - anything that isn’t solid through and through can wear away over time. Vermeil jewelry has the thickest coating of gold plating, so with proper care your jewelry will last a long time. The speed at which gold plating fades will depend on multiple variables ranging from chemicals you may come into contact with, levels of perspiration or even your skin PH. To keep your jewelry looking its best, remove before sleeping or physical activity.

10k gold: If you are looking for a piece of jewelry to last a lifetime, solid gold is the way to go. 10k gold is a great affordable solid gold option. It is a beautiful buttery yellow gold that you can wear all day, every day and it will not tarnish. Purchasing solid gold is an investment that will hold its value. If you have sensitive skin this is your best option.

Please email Libby at goldeluxejewelry@gmail.com if you have any questions.