Gold jewelry care guide — everything you need to know about gold jewelry

Some of our jewelry, specifically in the Jade + and seree lab collections, are made with gold.
  • What's the difference between gold plated and gold filled?
  • What's gold vermeil?
  • Can I wear my gold jewelry everyday?
  • Can I shower or swim in my jewelry?
...etc., might be some of the questions you are asking. So we made a comprehensive chart for the 4 main types of gold jewelry you can buy on the market:

gold jewelry care guide chart

Gold plated
  • Base metal: brass, copper, or nickel
  • How it's made: A layer of gold is bonded to a base metal by dipping the metal into a special chemical solution and zapping it with an electric current, attracting and adhering gold ions to the metal.
  • Gold content: ≥0.5 microns thickness
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes if on silver
  • Waterproof: No. Do not swim or shower in it. Wait to put on your jewelry until after you have applied lotion, makeup or perfume.
  • Care tips: Last about two years before the gold plating begins to tarnish and wear down. Wipe your gold plated jewelry after each use, using a soft cloth to remove any dirt or debris. You may also soak it for a few minutes in warm, soapy water and dry it with a soft cloth as needed.

Gold filled

  • Base metal: brass, copper, or nickel
  • How it's made: Comprises a solid brass or copper core over which gold is mechanically bonded using heat and pressure.
  • Gold content: 12K - 14K, gold layer must contribute at least 5% to the item’s total weight.
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes 
  • Waterproof: Yes. You can wear it to bed, in the shower, and while you exercise but you risk reducing the shine over time.
  • Care tips: Doesn’t wear off like gold plate, but you do have to treat it with care and clean it from time to time, specifically the chains.  You never have to take off your rings or bracelets with heavier chains, but the delicate gold filled chains have a thinner layer of gold on them and thus can be more prone to react to different elements.

Gold Vermeil

  • Base metal: 925 sterling silver
  • How it's made: Electrolysis — made by first creating the base of the item out of silver and then plating it with a layer of gold. 
  • Gold content: ≥2.5 microns thickness, 10K - 18K
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes 
  • Waterproof: Not really. Always remove gold vermeil jewelry before exercising, washing your hands or showering. Apply perfumes, creams and hair care products before wearing your gold vermeil pieces. 
  • Care tips: Don’t do housework while wearing your gold vermeil. When you place your vermeil pieces in your jewelry box, make sure to keep them separate from your other jewelry. If not, they can get scratched.

Solid gold

  • Base metal: gold
  • How it's made: 100% gold. Solid gold is very soft and malleable.
  • Gold content: 24K
  • Hypoallergenic: Yes 
  • Waterproof: Yes. Do not need to take off before shower or swimming.
  • Care tips: It will not oxidize or discolor. But since gold is a very soft metal that scratches easily, give it a wipe with a jewelry cloth once and awhile to keep it fresh.