Gold-Filled ​

Gold filled jewelry is a good quality, more affordable alternative to solid gold. It will have a solid gold content of 5%+ of its total weight.

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Perfect for those with sensitive skin ♡ Gold filled jewelry does not irritate the skin because it steers clear of lead, nickel, & other irritating metals.

The outer layer of gold-filled jewelry is solid 14k gold. Your skin will behave in the same way it would when touching solid 14k gold. If you do not have any sensitivities to solid gold, you will find gold-filled agrees well with your skin.

None of our gold-filled jewelry contains nickel.

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With proper care, gold filled jewelry is tarnish resistant, will not stain your skin green, & will last a very long time!

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How To Care for Gold Filled Jewelry

⌁ Avoid wearing your gold filled jewelry in the ocean or swimming pools, as salt water & chlorine can cause damage.

⌁ Keep your gold filled jewelry as dry as possible & away from humidity. Make sure to store it individually in an air tight plastic bag. Rubbing against other jewelry can cause it to lose its sheen.

⌁ Avoid wearing your gold filled jewelry while working out. Exposure to salt from sweat can cause pieces to become dull. 

⌁ Gently wipe your gold filled piece with a jewelry polishing, non scratch cloth every now & again to promote shine.

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Can I wear my gold-filled jewelry in the shower?
Yes,  it can actually be good for cleaning gold-filled jewelry to shower with it on as long as you use mild soaps. If your shampoo & soaps aren't gentle, they may contain certain chemicals that can have a negative impact on the look of gold. If you're not sure, take your jewelry off to shower.

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Can I sleep in my gold-filled jewelry?

Yes, but it won't last as long. Sleeping in your jewelry won't damage the gold-filled surfaces, but it may cause problems for delicate pieces, such as dainty chains, that can snag on the fabric of your sheets or night clothes.

If you can remember to take your pieces off before bed, it will stay brighter longer.

Taking your jewelry off at night gives you an opportunity to wipe them down after a day's wear to get the body oils off the surface, which helps extend the lifespan of your jewelry.

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▹ Taking your jewelry off while participating in activities that do not require jewelry is always a good idea & will prolong the lifespan of your jewelry. However, if you are one of those people who never takes off their jewelry, we suggest wearing gold-filled.  

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How do I clean gold-filled jewelry?

⎆ Mild & soapy water + a toothbrush

A child's soft toothbrush & a mild detergent is the perfect combination for cleaning gold-filled jewelry. The detergent can remove residue or fingerprints from the item, & still leave it shiny & bright when it's done! Be sure the toothbrush is soft, or it may scratch your piece.

⎆ Use a soft cloth.

Using a clean, soft cloth is an ideal way to polish your gold-filled pieces. A soft cloth will not scratch the surface. There are treated jewelry polishing cloths (ex. Brilliant) that work well; however, some chemicals are not recommended on gold-filled items, so double check that they are safe to use. Do not leave chemicals on your gold-filled jewelry -- always rinse & polish again with a soft cloth to remove residue.

⎆ Use an ultra-sonic machine **

Quickly clean your pieces with an ultrasonic machine. Be sure you don't leave the pieces for too long, checking every 2-3 minutes, but most importantly make sure that the cleaning solution is safe to use with gold-filled items! Rinse with water & dry with a soft cloth when you are finished.

** This is how Saul & Saul Designs cleans our gold-filled jewelry.

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Gold Plated

Gold-plated metal is an affordable option for gold jewelry. Gold plated jewelry is made from a process called electroplating. Electroplating is a process that uses an electric current to reduce dissolved metal cat-ions so that they form a thin coherent metal coating. This process normally uses brass, copper, nickel, or silver as the base. Then, a super thin layer of either 14K, 18K, or 24K gold is applied with electrolytes on that base. 

 

Plated jewelry may darken or tarnish with normal wear. Unfortunately, we are not able to repair the original discolored or tarnished metals, however, we are able to replace them depending on the piece & inventory. 

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Why does gold-plated jewelry tarnish?

Gold plating is a thin layer above a base metal, which makes pieces stronger & less likely to bend. Unfortunately, over time, the base metal will eventually come to the surface, causing the metal & the gold to discolor. This process breaks the gold down & requires proper polishing & maintenance to restore its shine. 

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How can I avoid tarnishing on my gold-plated jewelry?

​⎆ Use a soft cloth.

Regular wiping down & cleaning your jewelry after wearing can help keep your pieces shiny & scratch free for longer. We understand doing this every day isn't realistic for you busy boss ladies out there, so we suggest cleaning your pieces once per year, at least, & once every 3-6 months for your most loved pieces. You should use a "soft, non abrasive, & lint free cloth" to keep the shine. Start by gently rubbing the surface of the gold-plated jewelry & clean or spot treat as needed. Do not use a polishing cloth, as this will strip away the plating. If you need a deep clean, mix warm water & dish soap together in a small bowl, & soak your pieces for a few minutes before rinsing & wiping them clean. Refrain from using antibacterial soap, as the chemical can tarnish gold plating. 

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⎆ Avoid unnecessary contact with water.

Although the gold plate on the chain used in Saul & Saul Designs jewelry is thick & less likely to tarnish or fade over time, in order to keep these pieces from premature damage, be sure to take it off when showering or swimming. Salt water, chlorine, & fresh water can dull or erode precious metals. Furthermore, perfume, hairspray, makeup, deodorants, & other beauty products have chemicals in them that can damage jewelry. Ultimately, when avoiding damage to gold-plated jewelry, those pieces should be the last thing you put on & the first thing you take off. 

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⎆ Perfume

Avoid spraying gold-plated (& even gold-filled) jewelry directly with perfume. Some perfumes contain chemicals that can cause a reaction similar to oxidation. This will turn your gold jewelry black. This affect is reversible, but should be avoided nonetheless.

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⎆Storing your gold-plated jewelry

Experts recommend storing jewelry in a pouch, case, or jewelry box to prevent tarnishing & fading. Do so in a dark, cool, dry place, avoiding humidity & heat, which can cause tarnishing. Furthermore, storing jewelry in a pouch or dark area will prevent daily humidity exposure that could alter the initial plating. Make sure the pieces are somewhat separated inside the pouch to avoid contact, scratching, or finish chipping. 

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How long should gold-plated jewelry last?

With proper care you should be able to maintain high-quality gold plated jewelry for 5+ years.

 

Gold-Filled vs. Gold Plated

What is the difference between gold-plated jewelry & gold-filled jewelry?

Both gold-plated & gold-filled are popular jewelry metals. While they share commonalities, they aren't the same metal. Key differences between the two are the percentage of gold content used, the manufacturing process, & durability.

 

Gold filled metal consists of 2-3 layers of solid gold that is bonded or pressed to a base metal. The gold content in gold-filled jewelry will be 5%+ its total weight. Gold plated jewelry, however, involves a thin layer of less than 1% of the total weight of the item that is dipped or painted on using electroplating. 
 

In terms of construction, gold filled jewelry has a thick layer of solid gold that is bonded to a base metal, whereas gold plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold that is dipped or painted on. The bonded layers of gold in gold filled jewelry is much more durable, while the thin painted/dipped layer in gold plated jewelry can easily flake away. 

 

Compared to gold-filled jewelry, gold-plated jewelry wears off easier. It can tarnish within 1 year of wearing & is definitely not waterproof. To keep it from fading for a longer time it should be taken off during shower or swimming. It's also beneficial to remove your jewelry during sleep. While sleeping the gold plated jewelry can rub against the skin & wear.

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Sterling Silver

Sterling silver requires special care to preserve its appearance & longevity. Sterling tarnishes when exposed to salty air, chlorine, sulfur, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, household bleach, & other strong chemicals.

To prevent tarnish as much as possible, we recommend that you store your find jewelry in a safe, dry place when engaging in the following activities:

​⌲ Household & outdoor chores​

⌲ Showering, bathing or swimming in pools, hot tubs, hot springs, & the ocean

⌲ Using lotion, hair products, fragrances, & other cosmetics

⌲ Exercising at the gym or during contact sports

⌲Preparing meals

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How do I clean sterling silver?

Over time dirt, makeup residue, & skin oils can build up on the surface of your sterling silver jewelry, causing the metal to become dull & cloudy. The best way to prevent this undesirable effect is to clean your pieces regularly.

 

As a general rule, the regular use of chemical liquid jewelry cleaner is discouraged, as they can result in eventual discoloration of metal.

 

The safest & most effective way to polish sterling silver is to gently wipe it with a soft cloth. Specially designed silver polishing cloths that are pre-treated with gentle chemicals to restore silver's natural brilliance can be used, although most any soft cloth will do the trick. Avoid using course fibers or fabrics, such as paper or polyester, as these can result in scratching.

 

Feel free to wipe down your stainless silver as often as you'd like to restore its shine & brilliance.

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It's also a good idea to perform a thorough cleaning before storing a silver piece for a long period of time. For silver that has suffered some degree of tarnishing, a deeper cleaning may be in order.

To remove silver tarnish, you might want to try adding a small amount of mild detergent to the piece, & then use a damp cloth or fingers to rub it into the surface of the metal.

To prevent potential scratching & dullness, it's a good idea to avoid scrubbing the silver with any type of brush.

Following these easy tips of storing & cleaning sterling silver can help to preserve the inherent beauty & shine of this precious metal, ensuring years of enjoyment of your investment.