Metal Qualities & Care
Crush Lane offers a variety of jewellery metal qualities throughout it's collections. Understanding what you've purchased will help you properly care for your piece and make it last.
Karat Gold
Is of the highest cost and best of the qualities. Is 100% solid karat gold and is hypoallergenic, tarnish resistant and best for all skin types and everyday wear.
24k is pure gold, where as karat gold is alloyed metal to give it strength. Ex-
10k gold is 10 parts pure gold + 14 parts other metal (41.7%)
14k gold is 14 parts pure gold + 10 parts other metal (58.5%)
18k gold is 18 parts pure gold + 6 parts other metal (75%)
24k gold is 24 parts pure gold (99.9%)
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*The more gold content in the alloy the richer the yellow colour.
Gold Filled​
​Gold filled jewellery is a durable and affordable alternative to solid gold, featuring a sheet of karat gold pressure-bonded to a base metal core, usually brass. The gold layer is substantial (100 times thicker than plating), making up a minimum of 5% of the overall piece. It’s tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic and long-lasting.
Gold Plated
Is of the lowest cost and lowest of the qualities. Is a very thin layer of electroplated gold (.25-.5 microns thick) ontop of a base metal core of lesser value. The plating can wear off leaving the dull base metal to show through. Plating can ware off, and once this occurs it has to be replated, or sadly, it ends up in the garbage.
Vermeil
Instead of 'plating', vermeil is a fancier term used in the industry. Similarly to gold plating, vermeil is a very thin layer of electroplated gold with the one exception of the base core being sterling silver. The plating can still wear off just the same leaving you with a silver piece of jewellery.
Fine Silver
Is 99.9% pure silver. Is soft and can show scratches more easily. Is less likely to tarnish due to it's purity. ​
Sterling Silver
Is 92.5% fine silver, alloyed with other metals of lesser value (usually copper) to give it strength. Is prone to tarnishing, which can be maintained with the help of a polishing solution and/or polishing cloth.
​​Rhodium Plated
Rhodium plating is a process where a thin layer of rhodium, a rare and precious metal (in the platinum family), is applied to another metal to enhance it's appearance and durability. Rhodium has a bright white mirror like finish and is tarnish resistant. Its because of these characteristics that alot of sterling silver and white gold jewellery is plated in rhodium.
CARING FOR YOUR JEWELLERY
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(APPLIES TO ALL METAL QUALITIES)
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Clean regularly with mild soapy water. For dirtier pieces, soak in a a bowl of warm mild soapy water and follow with a gentle scrub with a soft bristle brush. (exclude plated jewellery from any scrubbing to avoid wearing off plating).
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To remove finger prints or bring back shine, polish your piece with a gold polishing cloth (gold and gold filled), or anti-tarnish polishing cloth (sterling silver), soft cloth (plated).
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Store it in a dry place, ideally in a air tight container or baggie, away from sunlight.
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Avoid harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures.
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Avoid wearing while swimming in chlorinated or salt water, and while exercising.
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Allow lotions and perfumes to dry on your skin before wearing.​
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Avoid wearing while showering (plated only).
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