Materials & Care

All Erica Sara Designs jewelry is handcrafted with love in our North Carolina studio. We use high quality hypoallergenic metals and, with proper care, our pieces are made to withstand everyday wear and to last for years.

Jewelry made from precious and semi-precious metals like silver and gold should be kept away from harsh chemicals, including lotions, perfumes, chlorine, and household cleaners. Store your jewelry in a dry, air tight bag or case and always clean it before storing. Avoid abrasive materials to polish your jewelry; a microfiber polishing cloth or lens cloth is best to remove oxidation or tarnish. Remove skin oils and sweat by rinsing with warm water and gently drying with a soft cloth or microfiber fabric. Clean your jewelry with mild soap regularly, and pat dry.

Most Erica Sara Designs pieces are available in gold filled or gold vermeil. Both options require more substantial and thicker layers of gold compared to gold plating, which has a minimal layer of gold. Erica Sara Designs does not offer gold plated jewelry because we like our jewelry to last a long time — and gold plated does not. Select pieces are also available in 14kt gold.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, most often with copper as the remaining metal. It is considered a precious metal and although stronger than solid silver, is prone to scratching if not treated with care.

Even the most expensive sterling silver will tarnish naturally over time. It’s science! Tarnish is the result of a chemical reaction between oxygen and/or sulfur particles in air and water. Your skin’s oils actually help preserve the silver by creating a barrier between the metal and air, so wearing your jewelry often is one of the easiest ways to prevent tarnish.

To maintain your sterling silver jewelry, remove it when using chemicals like lotions, perfumes, and harsh soaps. Chemicals containing sulfur, such as some household cleaners, are especially corrosive and should not come in contact with your jewelry. Although you can wear your sterling silver jewelry during physical activity, it’s important to clean it well after in the shower or with a jewelry cleaner and then dry it gently afterwards. Make sure your piece is completely dry before storing because moisture can cause oxidation.

Swimming pool chlorine can contain sulfur which can be extremely damaging to sterling silver. Different chlorines can contain different amounts of sulfur, or none at all, so when it comes to silver, it’s safer to just remove it before swimming.

We recommend Goddard’s Silver Cleaner Dip to clean tarnish. Simply dip the piece in the solution, rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

14k Yellow Gold

Our 14k solid yellow gold is a precious metal by nature and made to last a lifetime and beyond. It won’t tarnish like silver, but it can accumulate skin oils and environmental buildup over time. It’s safe to wear every day—even in the shower or while sleeping. But like all fine jewelry, it deserves a little care to keep it shining at its best. We recommend removing your gold jewelry before swimming in pools or the ocean, during heavy workouts, or when applying products like lotion, perfume, or sunscreen. These can leave residue that dulls the surface over time.

To clean your 14k gold, rinse with warm water and gently pat dry with a soft cloth. If it needs a deeper refresh, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water and use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the piece. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the finish.

When you’re not wearing your piece, store it in a dry, air-tight pouch or jewelry box to prevent scratches or buildup. We also recommend giving it a quick wipe with a soft cloth before storing, so it stays clean and ready to wear whenever you are.

Gold Filled

Gold filled is a thick layer of 14k gold pressure bonded to a base layer of jeweler's brass. Because of that substantial gold layer, it is highly tarnish and chip resistant. Far more durable than gold plated jewelry, it behaves more like solid gold.

Does it tarnish? Rarely. It can darken slightly with prolonged exposure to chemicals, salt, or higher skin acidity, but with regular cleaning and care, it maintains its shine for years. Mild tarnish is easy to address when it does occur. A gentle scrub with mild soap and warm water, or a soft polishing cloth, will restore its shine.

To keep your gold filled jewelry looking its best, remove it when applying lotions, perfumes, or harsh soaps. Avoid sulfur-containing chemicals like some household cleaners. You can wear it during physical activity, but rinse it well afterward and dry it gently. Store it in a cool, dry place, ideally in an individual airtight bag, to protect it from environmental buildup between wears.

Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil is a technique originating in the 19th century, where 14k gold is applied to sterling silver. It requires a thick layer of at least 2.5 microns of gold to be electroplated to the silver. Due to its thicker gold layer, vermeil is a durable option for jewelry. Taking proper care of your vermeil pieces will ensure that they last for years.

Do not apply chemicals to your vermeil jewelry. After wearing your jewelry, be sure to wash off your body oils, sweat, and air pollutants off of it with water and then gently dry with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive materials like toothpaste, ultrasonic cleaners and treated polishing cloths, as these can strip the gold layer. Wearing your jewelry in the shower and then gently drying with a soft cloth will keep it looking fresh.

Note

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