Jewellery Quality & Care

 

Gold

18k Gold Filled jewellery is not the same as gold plated jewellery. It contains 5% of solid gold and is created by a process of heat bonding. The layer of gold is semi-permanently bonded with heat and pressure onto the base metal (usually copper/brass for heavier pieces like cuffs, or sterling silver for necklaces and earrings). Unlike plated or “dipped" metals, Gold-filled is legally required to contain 5% or 1/20 gold by weight. This 5% is then described by the karat-age of the gold alloy- usually 14 or 18k gold. 14k is slightly more durable than 18k even though it’s less high quality, but we love the buttery golden colour it produces.

Essentially Gold Fill is an affordable alternative to solid gold, that outdoes the quality and lifespan of ordinary Gold-Plating significantly. With the correct love and care, Gold-Filled should last as long as, or close to pure Gold. It does not contain nickel.

 

Silver

Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver and does not tarnish. Silver is a bright, highly polishable metal that’s been used for currency, decorative objects, and jewellery throughout history, but not without support from other metals. On its own, silver is too soft for practical, everyday use. But it’s just too pretty not to be used in jewellery and other fine decorations, so it’s often mixed with other metals to create a more durable material known as sterling silver.

Our Bixby and Co Jewellery is made from Italian Sterling silver, which is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper or zinc to make it strong.

 

Care

The longer you can keep your pieces away from harsh chemicals, chlorines, salt water and perfumes the longer they will keep their best condition. Any chemicals will inevitably take its toll on your precious jewels. 

Make sure to rinse and dry all pieces after chlorine or ocean swims to increase longevity. The best way to care for your sterling silver piece is to keep a soft polishing cloth and regularly polish it to avoid tarnishing.