Hello!
Did you know that Perlamuse was founded by our founder, Khánh Linh, after experiencing skin irritation just one week after wearing jewelry from a well-known brand?
We want to create a summary of the most common materials used in jewelry and what they all mean so that you know exactly what to look out for when shopping for jewelry online.
FIRST, LET’S TALK ABOUT GOLD
Did you know there are over 9 different types of gold? When you're shopping online, if all the descriptions say is "gold," it’s likely either gold-plated or an alloy with little or no pure gold.
The purity of gold is measured in karats. Pure gold (100%) is too soft for any type of jewelry, so "gold" usually refers to an alloy, a mix of gold and other metals.
SO, HOW MUCH GOLD IS ACTUALLY IN MY JEWELRY?
- 24 karat = 100% gold
Too soft for fine jewelry - 22 karat = 91.7% gold
Too soft for fine jewelry - 18 karat = 75.0% gold
Ideal for fine jewelry - 16 karat = 67.0% gold
Ideal for fine jewelry - 14 karat = 58.3% gold
Ideal for fine jewelry - 10 karat = 41.7% gold
Ideal for fine jewelry - Gold-vermeil = 1-5% gold
Ideal for semi-fine jewelry - Gold-plated = 0.05% gold
Not suitable for fine or semi-fine jewelry
WHAT DETERMINES THE COLOR OF MY GOLD JEWELRY?
You might have heard of rose gold or white gold. The color of gold is determined by two factors:
- The type of alloy mixed with pure gold
- The percentage of that alloy
In fact, except for 24K gold (which is almost pure), all other gold types (14K, 16K, 18K, etc.) need to be alloyed to create durability and give the product its shiny, beautiful color. Different alloys create different colors, with the three most popular being yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.
Yellow gold combines various alloys to achieve its luster. The most common alloys used are red copper and greenish silver. A mix of copper, silver, and pure gold gives this precious metal its distinctive warmth and color.
White gold’s silvery appearance is what makes it so attractive. To achieve the white color, gold is mixed with naturally white alloys and plated with an extremely hard element called rhodium. While durable, rhodium can wear off over time. However, you can re-plate it to restore the jewelry’s white color and shine.
The beautiful pink hue of rose gold jewelry is created by using copper alloys. The overall percentage of alloys in rose gold is the same as in yellow or white gold, but the type of alloy used is different.
WHAT IF THE WEBSITE DOESN’T MENTION GOLD CARATS?
Typically, if the gold carat is not mentioned in the product description, the piece likely falls into one of these three categories:
-
Gold-plated jewelry
Contains 0.03-0.05% pure gold, created using an electroplating process. The gold layer isn’t really bonded to the core metal (usually brass, copper, or a nickel-containing alloy). Gold-plated jewelry tarnishes quickly with use. It’s often called costume jewelry and is suitable for trying out new styles or short-term wear. -
Gold-vermeil jewelry
Contains 1-5% pure gold, created using a thermal bonding process. The gold layer (typically 1-3 microns thick, depending on weight) is permanently bonded to the core metal (sterling silver) through heat and pressure.Gold-vermeil can tarnish, but only under specific conditions, such as excessive or rough use. Although an alloy, the thick gold layer doesn’t tarnish because pure gold doesn’t. Gold-vermeil jewelry is ideal for everyday wear, just like solid gold, but at a more affordable price.
OKAY, WHAT ABOUT SILVER? WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING SILVER JEWELRY ONLINE?
Silver jewelry also has its own levels of purity. Here are a few types of silver used in making jewelry and terms you should look for:
-
Fine silver = 99.9% silver
Too soft for jewelry -
Sterling silver = 92.5% silver
Ideal for jewelry -
Argentium silver = 92.5% silver
Ideal for jewelry -
Silver-filled = 5-10% silver
Not suitable for jewelry -
Silver-plated = 0.5% silver
Not suitable for jewelry
SILVER JEWELRY
Pure silver, also known as fine silver, is relatively soft, easily malleable, and prone to damage, so it’s often combined with other metals to create a more durable product. The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. While any metal could replace copper, centuries of experimentation have shown that copper is the best companion, improving silver’s hardness and durability without affecting its beautiful color.
Sterling silver contains up to 92.5% pure silver. Typically, the more pure silver in the jewelry, the softer it becomes and more easily its shape can be altered over time. It’s important to take care of your silver to prevent it from losing its original shape.
ALRIGHT, I JUST ORDERED A PIECE OF JEWELRY—HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF IT?
Taking care of your jewelry is just as important as choosing the right materials. Even solid gold and silver lose their shine over time, and keeping a few care tips in mind can really help extend the life of your jewelry.
JEWELRY CARE GUIDE
SHOULD I AVOID WATER?
The short answer is yes. The full answer is, it depends on how you wear your jewelry. Do you frequently take off your jewelry and change it up? If so, you can probably avoid getting your jewelry wet from time to time.
If you’re someone who wears their jewelry daily and almost never takes it off, we recommend sticking to gold-vermeil, sterling silver, or solid gold so that you can wear it in water without worrying about tarnishing.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER TOXINS YOU SHOULD AVOID.
Avoid exposing your jewelry to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage the metal. You should also avoid other acids like perfume or sprays, as these materials can cause your metal to react and change color over time.
AND ONE FINAL TIP TO KEEP YOUR JEWELRY LOOKING GREAT.
With proper care, your beautiful pieces will last a long time. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your jewelry in a fabric pouch or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box. Avoid letting your jewelry come into contact with hard surfaces (remember, both solid gold and silver are very soft).
Try cleaning your jewelry every few months to keep it looking its best. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve forgotten to take my rings off while baking or cooking! Simply use a warm cloth, water, and soap to clean your gold-vermeil jewelry.
We hope this post has been helpful and that it assists you in making the right decision when buying jewelry online. Since you’re here, check out Perlamuse’s gold-vermeil and sterling silver jewelry!
SHOP GOLD-VERMEIL JEWELRY HERE