Jewelry Care

Every Opal Soul piece is designed with gold fill metals, making them hypoallergenic, waterproof, and tarnish resistant when cared for properly.

What's the difference between gold-plated and gold-filled?

Gold-plated: This means a thin layer of gold is applied to a base metal (like brass or copper) using a process called electroplating. The gold layer is usually very thin, which makes it less durable over time.

Gold-filled: This is a thicker layer of gold (at least 5% of the total weight) that is mechanically bonded to a base metal, often using heat and pressure. Gold-filled jewelry is much more durable and long-lasting compared to gold-plated due to the bonding process and thickness of the gold layer.

In short, gold-filled is more durable and contains more gold, while gold-plated is thinner, and typically wears off fairly quickly. You can think of it as gold jewelry, "filled" with a less expensive base metal, hence, gold fill!

How do I care for my gold-filled jewelry?

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

• Keep your gold-filled jewelry away from chemicals like perfumes, sunscreens, retinols, glycolic acids, etc. as these chemicals can cause tarnishing and discoloration over time.

Avoid Chlorine and Salt Water

• Gold-filled jewelry can handle occasional exposure to fresh water, however saltwater and chlorinated water will wear down the gold layer and increase the likelihood of tarnishing over time.

Clean and Polish

• Gently clean your gold-filled jewelry using a soft cloth or a jewelry cleaning cloth to remove dirt and oils. Avoid using abrasive materials, as they can damage the gold layer.
• For a deeper clean, mix warm water with a mild dish soap. Use a soft brush (like a soft toothbrush) to gently scrub the surface. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.