All Erica Sara Designs jewelry is handcrafted with love in her North Carolina studio. She uses high quality hypoallergenic metals and, with proper care, her 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, airtight 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 she likes her 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.
Gold Filled
Gold filled is a thick layer of gold pressure bonded to a base layer of jeweler’s brass. The process of pressure bonding means that gold fill jewelry is tarnish and chip resistant. It’s the perfect affordable option for active women who want to wear their jewelry all day, including during workouts. To maintain your gold filled jewelry, remove it when using chemicals like lotions, perfumes and harsh soaps. Sulfur containing chemicals, such as some household cleaners, should not come in contact with your jewelry. Although you can wear your gold filled 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.
Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is a technique originating in the 19th century, where gold was 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.
To clean vermeil jewelry, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down your piece using light pressure, focusing on areas of discoloration. Do not apply chemicals to your vermeil jewelry. If you wear your pieces to workout, be sure to wash off your sweat with water and then gently dry with a microfiber polishing cloth.
