Material Information and Care
14K gold, 18K gold
Gold typically comes in 3 different karats: 24K, 18K, 14K. 24K gold is 100% pure gold, and not recommended for use in body jewelry as it is not very durable. In order to increase its durability, gold is alloyed with other metals (including nickel). 18K gold is 75% gold, and 14K gold is 58.3% gold.
18K and 14K gold commonly come in 3 colours: yellow, rose, and white. These gold alloys contain different amounts of other metals which give them their colour. Although 18K gold and 14K gold are both suitable for everyday wear, care must be taken while wearing gold jewelry as they can be scratched or dented. To clean gold jewelry, wash with soap and warm water. Once every few months, use a jewelry polishing cloth to help with polishing and restoring shine to your gold jewelry.
Can be autoclaved: Yes
May not be suitable for people with nickel sensitivity
Suitable for use as initial jewelry for fresh piercings
Platings & coatings
Often, a piece of jewelry will be plated or coated in order to change its colour or enhance its durability. The thickness of platings and coatings varies from approximately 0.3 microns (0.0003 millimeters) up to approximately 20 microns.
In order to extend the life of the plating or coating, try to avoid scratching the surface of your jewelry and keep it away from perfumes and lotions. To clean coated or plated jewelry, gently wash with water and soap, and pat dry with a soft cotton cloth.
Electroplating
Electroplating is carried out by soaking the base material in a solution of the coating material and passing an electric current through it. This is the process used to apply gold or rhodium plating over other metals like steel or titanium. In order for a jewelry item to be classified as “gold plated”, the gold layer must have a thickness of at least 0.5 microns.
Examples of platings: 14K yellow gold, 14K rose gold, 14K white gold, 18K yellow gold, 18K rose gold, silver, rhodium
Gold typically comes in 3 different karats: 24K, 18K, 14K. 24K gold is 100% pure gold, and not recommended for use in body jewelry as it is not very durable. In order to increase its durability, gold is alloyed with other metals (including nickel). 18K gold is 75% gold, and 14K gold is 58.3% gold.
18K and 14K gold commonly come in 3 colours: yellow, rose, and white. These gold alloys contain different amounts of other metals which give them their colour. Although 18K gold and 14K gold are both suitable for everyday wear, care must be taken while wearing gold jewelry as they can be scratched or dented. To clean gold jewelry, wash with soap and warm water. Once every few months, use a jewelry polishing cloth to help with polishing and restoring shine to your gold jewelry.
Can be autoclaved: Yes
May not be suitable for people with nickel sensitivity
Suitable for use as initial jewelry for fresh piercings
Platings & coatings
Often, a piece of jewelry will be plated or coated in order to change its colour or enhance its durability. The thickness of platings and coatings varies from approximately 0.3 microns (0.0003 millimeters) up to approximately 20 microns.
In order to extend the life of the plating or coating, try to avoid scratching the surface of your jewelry and keep it away from perfumes and lotions. To clean coated or plated jewelry, gently wash with water and soap, and pat dry with a soft cotton cloth.
Electroplating
Electroplating is carried out by soaking the base material in a solution of the coating material and passing an electric current through it. This is the process used to apply gold or rhodium plating over other metals like steel or titanium. In order for a jewelry item to be classified as “gold plated”, the gold layer must have a thickness of at least 0.5 microns.
Examples of platings: 14K yellow gold, 14K rose gold, 14K white gold, 18K yellow gold, 18K rose gold, silver, rhodium