Your jewellery is your personal treasure. It’s a luxury that not only adds a little sparkle to your outfit, but to your soul as well. But jewellery can also be expensive and a little frightening to buy when there are so many questions at play. What is it made of? Will it tarnish? Will it last? What do all these weird terms mean?
Don’t worry! Magpie has got you covered! Allow us to break down some of the top questions that our staff get asked when it comes to the materials involved in your favourite pieces of jewellery. After reading this, you’ll be able to rest easy and know how to care for your own treasures!
If you’re wondering how to care for specific stones, check out our Moh’s Hardness Scale Guide here!
How does sterling silver keep, and how do you maintain it?
Sterling silver is identified on most jewellery by a small jewellers stamp reading 925 – representing the 92.5% silver that the metal contains.
The important thing to remember with sterling silver is that it is prone to oxidation, meaning it will tarnish if left out in the air. One of the key parts of keeping your silver treasures bright and sparkly is keeping them in a contained space, such as a jewellery box or a plastic bag; something that can be sealed!
If your silver does discolour, do not fear! Sterling silver is easily polished with a simple polishing cloth, or with a baking soda and water paste. We at Magpie also offer complimentary cleanings at all of our locations! It is important to clean your jewellery once you notice beginning to discolour to prevent any potential damage.
What is the difference between gold fill and gold vermeil?
In a world where gold is hot and trendy, but also more expensive than it’s ever been, gold fill and gold vermeil are superheroes sent from above to save your wallet!
Both of these options are higher quality gold platings, but they are not the same. In jewellery, we like to imagine a hierarchy of gold platings based on the base metal to gold ratio:
At the very bottom, is gold plating/overlay. This is gold that has been lightly brushed or painted on top of any kind of base metal. This is the kind of plating that you will find in most costume jewellery. It will most likely discolour easily, peel, and flake, and depending on what that base metal is, can cause your skin to temporarily turn green.
Above that is gold vermeil. Gold vermeil is sterling silver with a thin layer of solid gold (at least 2.5 microns) chemically fused to it. That fusion means that it won’t peel or chip, and the silver base assures that it shouldn’t cause any reactions to your skin (unless you have specific silver based sensitivities). You should care for gold vermeil the same way you would care for silver and regularly clean it, as well as avoid emerging it in harsh chemicals such as pools, spas, and hot tubs to avoid tarnishing. If it does discolour, it can always be easily cleaned with a baking soda and water paste gently rubbed over the surface. The one downside to gold vermeil, is that with wear and tear it will slowly begin to patina and try to fade back to its silver base.
Next up is gold fill. Gold fill is the closest thing you can get to solid gold without buying solid gold. Gold-fill is a high-quality, affordable alternative to solid gold, made by mechanically bonding a thick layer of solid gold to a base metal. Unlike gold plating, which is a thin layer applied to finished jewellery, gold-fill is a durable material that won’t flake or peel. With roots in Victorian-era craftsmanship, it offers heirloom-level quality at a more accessible price. Due to the thicker gold coating and the jewellers brass base, gold filled will not change colour, unless it is exposed to harsh chemicals. Even then, the pieces should be easily cleaned with a simple polishing.
Finally there is solid gold! Solid gold comes in different karats which all have their own characteristics depending on the quality (which we will discuss next!), but in general solid gold will not tarnish or discolour, and keeps its shiny golden colour for as long as it’s cared for!
What are the different karats of solid gold, and what do they mean?
Solid gold comes in a range of 10 karat (10k) to 24 karat (24k). At its basics, the higher the karat of gold, the higher percentage of gold to metal alloys there is, with 24k being 100% pure gold. The main difference this makes in the metal is the colour (the higher the karat, the more yellow it will appear), and the softness and density of the metal, as higher karats of gold will be softer due to how soft gold is by itself. The cost of the gold also increases the higher in karat that you go.
Like other Canadian Jewellers, at Magpie we primarily use 10k, 14k, and 18k gold;
10k is paler in colour, having more of a subtle, earthier, true golden colour. It is 41.7% gold. Due to the majority of the metal mix being metal alloy, it’s common for 10k gold to be strong, yet also a little brittle, making it have an increased risk of cracking.
14k is what the majority of Magpie custom rings are made in! It gives you the best of both worlds, having a hint of the bright colour typically seen in high karats, while also being quite durable due to it being 58.30% gold.
18k is a rich buttery yellow in colour, and is 75% gold. It gains a lot of popularity for being the most affordable option that has that true golden colour, however it can also be malleable due to the high gold content, making it more soft and prone to scratches and dents.
What is the difference between white gold and platinum?
Both white gold and platinum are known for their bright silver-like colour, and are wonderful options for those who prefer to wear white jewellery. But besides colour, the two metals are nothing alike!
White gold is a man made metal that mixes solid gold with certain alloys in order to achieve its signature gleaming white colour. It acts just like all other solid gold does, varying in softness depending on the karat. However due to it being a man-made metal, with wear and tear the white metal will slowly warm back into yellow. In order to avoid this, most people will get their pieces rhodium plated to help slow the process.
Platinum is a natural metal, meaning that its pristine white colour will never fade! Platinum is denser and heavier than solid gold! While it’s true that platinum is more durable and less likely to crack or break than solid gold is, it does have a softer surface which is slightly more prone to scratches.
When choosing your life-time pieces you deserve only the best! At Magpie we strive for quality and customer satisfaction above all else. Swing by one of our three Ottawa locations and talk with our amazing staff! We’ll answer all your jewellery related questions, and help you find or create the perfect piece for you.
