About Gold Jewelry Gold jewelry is either made of solid gold or has been gold plated. Gold plated means the jewelry was made from another metal and then coated with 1 or 2 layers of gold. The base metal is usually sterling silver, but it may also be brass or nickel. Gold plated jewelry is a great way to have a nice piece of jewelry without having to pay a fortune. I have several pieces of gold plated jewelry and to me it’s just as durable as solid gold. Someone once asked if the plating wears off. I told them that it would take a whole lot of wear and tear for that to happen. I personally have never had the plating wear off. But, this can also depend on what type of jewelry it is. I've had no problems with gold plated pendants or earrings. Obviously, rings and bracelets may wear more quickly depending on how often you're wearing them. What is Gold Vermeil? Vermeil is a more expensive version of gold plated jewelry. It consists of a sterling silver base that is coated or plated with at least 2.5 micrometers of gold and will not wear off as easily as standard gold plating. Gold is rarely used in its pure form (24k) for jewelry because it is just too soft. Pure gold is not very durable and scratches and dents easily. It's the addition of other metals that increases the strength and malleability of gold. 10k, 14k, and 18k gold are most commonly used for jewelry. Caring for your Gold Jewelry Keep gold jewelry away from harsh chemicals like household cleaning fluids as they create abrasions and reduce the luster of the metal. Cleaning gold jewelry is best done with warm water and detergent-free soap. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the pieces. You can also buy liquid cleaners made especially for cleaning jewelry. Cleaning instructions vary depending on the kit, so read the label and follow its instructions. When you are not wearing your gold jewelry, they still require proper storage. Keep your precious pieces in a fabric-lined jewel case, or a box with compartments or dividers. If you can not separate your jewelry in your jewelry box, wrap each piece individually in tissue paper or place in small plastic pouches. Don't jumble your diamond pieces in a drawer or jewelry case, because diamonds can scratch your other gold pieces of jewelry, or even scratch each other. About Sterling Silver Jewelry Pure silver, also called fine silver, is relatively soft, very malleable, and easily damaged so it is commonly combined with other metals to produce a more durable product. The most popular is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Although any metal can make up the 7.5 percent of the non-silver portion of sterling, centuries of experimentation have shown copper to be its best companion, improving the metal's hardness and durability without affecting its beautiful color. The small amount of copper added to sterling has very little effect on the metal's value. Instead, the price of the silver item is affected by the labor involved in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, and the intricacy of the design. I personally prefer Sterling Silver over White Gold. White Gold doesn't compare to the bright, gleaming shine that only Sterling Silver can deliver. I recently lost one of my 14k white gold ball stud earrings and decided to replace them with Silver studs. I was amazed at the difference! Sterling Silver has a glimmer that white gold just can't match! They've also given new life to my tiny, princess cut diamond studs that I wear next to them. I highly recommend wearing Sterling and Diamonds together! Caring for your Silver Jewelry With proper care, your fine quality silver will last a lifetime. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your silver jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box. Avoid exposing your silver to household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage silver. Care should also be taken to prevent silver tarnish build-up, a dulling that naturally occurs when silver reacts with sulfur or hydrogen sulfide in the ambient air. To clean your silver, use polishes formulated specifically to remove tarnish. You can find fine silver polishes, solutions, or cloths appropriate to remove tarnish at most department stores. Tarnish is most easily removed when it first becomes visible. Although wearing your silver jewelry often is the best way to prevent tarnish from building up, regular cleanings of all your silver items will prevent tarnish and keep your silver gleaming. I hope this information has been helpful. Remember to be safe when shopping from anyone you don’t know. And have fun!