Gold filled is the best quality alternative to the much more expensive solid gold. Gold filled jewelry contains 5% of solid gold which is permanently bonded with heat and pressure onto the base metal (usually brass, or sterling silver). Gold filled is resistant to tarnish as the layer of solid gold is relatively thick. Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating as gold filled literally has 100% more gold than gold plating. Another advantage is that gold filled is much more valuable and tarnish resistant. It does not flake off, rub off or turn colors. The thick outer layer of solid gold makes it highly durable and safe for people with allergies or sensitive skin. Anyone who can wear solid gold jewelry can wear gold filled without worries of any allergic reaction to the jewelry.
The difference between gold filled and gold plated items is the amount of gold used over the brass core. Gold filled items must contain, by law, 5% or 1/20 of gold by weight. In contrast gold plated items usually contain a microscopic amount of gold. This means the gold layer on gold plated items can peel or flake very easily exposing the brass core underneath. Because the gold layer on gold filled items is so much thicker it will not peel or flake and lasts for years.
It is a legal requirement to stamp, where possible, items which are gold filled. You will see 'GF 14/20' or '1/20 14k GF' indicating the item is 14k Gold filled and 1/20 of gold by weight. However, not all items are big enough to stamp (you will find this with sterling silver items too).
Sterling Silver has a minimum purity of 92.5%, the highest purity suitable for jewelry.
The jewelry pieces come along with natural crystals that are carefully chosen for each and every design.
Since we are using natural stones when hand crafting your jewelry, the shades of the stones might vary from the stones on our pictures. Especially our jewelry pieces carrying Tourmalines, since those beautiful stones have many different shades such as pink, yellow, brown or green. Of course when you choose our Birthstone Tourmaline Earrings for instance you will receive earrings with a green stone. However, it might be a lighter or darker shade of green.