Jewelry is not merely an accessory; it's an expression of your personality, style, and sometimes even a cherished memory. Whether it's a family heirloom passed down through generations or a recent splurge, each piece holds sentimental value. Just like any other prized possession, your jewelry requires tender love and care to maintain its luster and longevity.
At My Fancy Flamingo, we understand the importance of preserving the beauty and brilliance of your jewelry collection. Here are some expert tips on how to care for your precious adornments:
We recommend taking off all jewelry before hopping in the shower and storing your pieces in an airtight bag when not in use.
Does not tarnish because its outer surface is made from solid gold, which is then filled with metals from the platinum family. Unlike gold plated jewelry’s miniscule layer of solid gold, gold fill pieces are regulated by the government and must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total product.
Will tarnish over time. When oxygen and sulfur come in contact with silver, they chemically bond to the silver, or oxidize, causing the silver to appear darker than normal. Luckily, there’s an easy fix to getting rid of that tarnish.
To bring your gold fill and sterling silver jewelry to its original shine, clean each piece with an ammonia- and phosphate-free mild soap and warm water in a small bowl. Then, rinse off the soap on your jewelry with cold water and use a soft cloth to dry your jewelry piece. Voila! Your piece will look as good as new and ready to wear again
There is a difference between "gold filled" and gold plated". It's good to know the difference so that you know what to shop for and what you are getting for your buck. Bottom line you're going to pay a little bit more for gold filled jewelry, but it will stand the test of time, and in our opinion it's well worth it. Here's why:
The process of gold plating is one where a minuscule layer of gold is applied over a base metal (usually brass). The amount of real gold that is used is actually so tiny that it's technically considered unmeasurable (less than .05%). This is why gold plating will wear off (actually pretty quickly).
Gold Filled jewelry is made by wrapping layers of solid gold (14K, 12K, or 18K) sheets around a base metal (usually brass). Unlike gold plated jewelry, gold filled jewelry actually has a measurable amount of gold in it. This process of adhering solid gold sheets makes for jewelry that does not tarnish, peel, chip or discolor. If your gold filled jewelry has ever changed color at all it's usually just because of dirt build up and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Also unlike Silver it won't tarnish.