WRITE TO US AND WE'LL POST YOUR QUESTIONS!We've all been there... "I've got beautiful stones and have no idea what to do with them..." "I have an old necklace that broke and I have no idea how to fix it..." "I have semi-precious stones and want to know if they are dyed..." "How do I tell what the metal is in my necklace?" "What is Vermeil, anyhow?" Will my copper jewelry change color?
Copper is warm and flattering with hues that can range from a true “copper” color to burgundy, brown and almost black. Left in its raw form without some help it will oxidize, a chemical reaction that will surely impact the color. Many jewelers apply a layer of lacquer to set the color which will keep it from changing. Another option is a fine jeweler’s wax that will slow the process of oxidization. When a wax has been applied, simply buff the piece from time to time, much as you would with silver to keep it the original color you loved. |
Some Q and A'sWhat Is Gold Plating?
Gold plating refers either to the thin layer of gold that covers the surface of gold-plated items or to the process through which this coating is applied. The core of such pieces can be made of a variety of non-gold metals, and the gold with which they are covered can be of different levels of purity. What Is Vermeil? Gold vermeil, or just vermeil, refers to items made of silver that are plated with a thin layer of gold. In the U.S., to be considered vermeil, a piece has to be coated with gold that is at least 10 karats pure. In addition, the thickness of the gold layer has to be at least 2.5 microns. |