Materials & Care

925 STERLING SILVER  925 sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. All of our silver jewellery has been marked .925 indicating its purity.

18K GOLD VERMEIL  Pronounced Ver-May. Gold vermeil jewellery has a thick layer of gold that has been electroplated over a base of 925 sterling silver. The gold is much thicker than standard gold plated jewellery and will last much longer. For a piece to be considered vermeil it must have a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns and the gold must be at least 10k. It also must have a solid base of silver as opposed to a non precious metal such as brass or copper. Gold vermeil can last for years if treated with the correct care, the main thing to remember is to keep it dry and avoid moisture. See below for how to care for your gold vermeil jewellery.

9K SOLID GOLD  9k gold is a much softer yellow than other karats, and being solid gold means it is much more hard wearing and can easily be worn everyday. Our 9k solid gold jewellery is made to order with each ring handcrafted by Zoë, our founder and designer at her home studio in Papamoa Beach, New Zealand.

GEMSTONES & SHELLS  All of our gemstones and shells have been ethically sourced and are 100% genuine. Slight differences in colours, patterns and shapes may occur. This makes them completely one of a kind, which we think is pretty special.


JEWELLERY CARE AND CLEANING


Your jewellery should be treated with love and care. Follow these rules and your jewellery will stay shining bright for many years to come:

  • Aim to keep your jewellery as dry as possible, especially our gold vermeil pieces. Remove before showering, swimming and washing your hands. Your jewellery will tarnish much quicker if you don't. Never wear your jewellery in natural sulphur hot springs.

  • Avoid direct contact with perfumes, deodorants and lotions. The chemicals will effect the lustre and any gold plating. Wait for them to dry and then put on your jewellery.

  • Your jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off when dressing and undressing. This avoids any snagging.

  • Take your jewellery off before exercising, gardening/DIY and before bed to avoid any unnecessary tugging, scratching and breakages.

  • Extra care should be taken for jewellery with delicate stones or shells. All our stones and shells are natural and should be treated with love.
  • Store your jewellery in a cool, dry, place out of direct sunlight. Do not store your jewellery in the bathroom where it tends to get damp. Keep chains fastened so they don't become tangled.

  • Metals naturally tarnish over time due to the oxides in the air. Use a soft jewellery cloth to gently buff your piece to bring back shine and lustre. For a deeper clean, use a soft toothbrush and a mild soap with warm water and let it air dry. Be mindful of any delicate gemstones, shells and settings.

  • Do NOT use any polishing/cleaning solutions on gold vermeil jewellery as this will erode the plating.


By following these simple tips your jewellery will stay beautiful and last for many years. It's important to remember that all metals naturally tarnish due to the oxygen in the air and the different pH levels of our skin. Over time gold vermeil plating will eventually fade but can easily be replated. For more information or if you have any questions please email info@cajajewellery.com