Care Guide
Simple care goes a long way. A few things worth noting before you wear, store, and love your pieces.
Vintage Jewelry
Our collection consists primarily of vintage and pre-owned jewelry. As with all vintage items, some pieces may show signs of age, including light surface wear, subtle patina, or other characteristics that reflect their history. We photograph and describe each piece as accurately as possible, and any notable condition details will be disclosed in the product listing.
Because vintage jewelry was produced across different eras and manufacturers, material composition, plating thickness, and finish treatments are not always documented or independently verified unless explicitly stated. If you have questions about a particular piece, please reach out before purchasing.
Gold Filled
Gold filled jewelry consists of a substantial layer of real gold permanently pressure-bonded to a base metal core. By industry standard, gold filled items contain at least 5% (or 1/20th) of the piece's total weight in real gold, making them significantly more durable and long-lasting than standard gold plated jewelry.
Depending on the piece, the gold layer may be 10k, 12k, 14k, or 18k gold. Please refer to individual product descriptions for the specific gold karat associated with each item.
The remaining composition is typically made from base metals such as brass, copper, bronze, zinc, or other metal alloys. While gold filled jewelry is highly resistant to wear, it should still be kept away from chlorine, saltwater, harsh chemicals, and abrasive cleaning products to preserve its finish for years to come.
Sterling Silver & Silver Alloys
Sterling silver develops a natural patina over time- a chemical reaction to air, moisture, and sulfur compounds in the environment. Tarnish is not damage; it is a natural characteristic of silver and can be removed with a polishing cloth when desired.
Most sterling silver is marked ".925," meaning it contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metals, typically copper. Vintage pieces may also be marked with other silver standards, including:
• 950 Silver — 95% silver
• 935 Silver — 93.5% silver
• 925 Sterling Silver — 92.5% silver
• 900 Coin Silver — 90% silver
• 875 Silver — 87.5% silver
• 835 Silver — 83.5% silver
• 830 Silver — 83% silver
• 800 Silver — 80% silver
The remaining percentage consists of alloy metals used to improve strength and durability, commonly including copper, brass, zinc, nickel, or other metal alloys depending on the piece's origin and age.
Please refer to individual product descriptions for specific material information when known.
Vermeil
Vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is a specific type of gold-over-silver jewelry. To qualify as vermeil in the United States, a piece must have a sterling silver (.925) base and a layer of gold that is at least 2.5 microns thick.
Because vermeil contains a substantial layer of gold over precious sterling silver, it is generally more durable than standard gold plating. To maximize longevity, avoid prolonged exposure to water, sweat, lotions, perfumes, and household chemicals.
Gold Over Silver
Gold over silver jewelry features a layer of gold applied over a sterling silver base. It offers the warmth and appearance of gold with the value and integrity of precious silver beneath.
Unless otherwise stated in the product listing, the thickness of the gold layer on vintage pieces has not been independently tested or verified. To preserve the finish, avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, sweat, perfumes, lotions, and chemical products.
Gold Plated
Gold plated jewelry consists of a layer of gold applied over a base metal. Depending on the piece, the underlying metal may include brass, copper, zinc, nickel-containing alloys, stainless steel, or other common jewelry metals.
Unless explicitly stated in the product listing, plating thickness and base metal composition on vintage pieces have not been independently tested or verified. Because plating naturally wears over time, gold plated jewelry should be kept away from moisture, harsh chemicals, abrasive surfaces, and prolonged friction to maximize the life of the finish.
Metal Sensitivities
Many vintage pieces were produced before modern allergen disclosure standards existed. Unless a piece has been independently tested, the presence or absence of metals such as nickel cannot be guaranteed. Customers with metal sensitivities should exercise discretion when purchasing vintage jewelry and contact us with any questions before ordering.
Care Essentials
• Remove jewelry before bathing, swimming, exercising, or sleeping.
• Apply fragrances, lotions, sunscreen, and skincare products before putting on jewelry, never after. Alcohols, oils, and active ingredients can accelerate wear and tarnishing.
• Store pieces in the provided pouch or in a dry, enclosed space away from humidity.
• Wipe gently with a soft cloth after wear to remove oils and residue.
• Keep pieces separated during storage to prevent scratching and friction.
Additional Note
Due to the nature of vintage and pre-owned jewelry, material composition, plating thickness, and finish treatments cannot always be independently verified unless explicitly stated in the product listing. As a result, finish longevity, tarnish resistance, and wear characteristics may vary from piece to piece and cannot be guaranteed.