Materials + Care

All of our yellow gold plated pieces are made from 18 ct Gold Vermeil (pronounced ‘ver-may’). This means that their base metal is 925 sterling silver and are plated in 18 carat Yellow Gold. Our plating is 2.5 microns thick which is 5x thicker than the average gold plating and is plated with a process known as ‘electrolysis’ making it very durable.

We use the highest percentage of gold alloy that is durable for everyday wear, which is 18 carats. 20 and 24 carat gold are relatively soft and are more prone to show signs of wear.
Gold Vermeil allows us to create pieces that combine fashion and fine jewellery at an affordable price point. If you want the look and feel of high-quality gold without the high price tag this is for you!

All of our pieces are hallmarked and lasered with a 925 mark for authenticity, which means you can trust that every piece has a 925 quality base.

We use natural white topaz gemstones as they are considered the semi-precious alternative to a diamond in the jewellery world. We want to make sure that our jewellery is affordable and white topaz enables us to have a natural gemstone with a diamond-like appearance without the high price tag.

We make sure that we source well-cut white topaz so that they exhibit excellent brilliance, clarity and sparkle.

All of our gemstones are natural and sourced from all over the world which means that every stone is unique. This may mean that some stones might look different to others but this just makes each one of a kind!

An anti-tarnish coating is applied to all Phoria jewellery to protect it from tarnishing and to help maintain its appearance over time. Tarnishing can naturally happen to all jewellery, it’s a process that occurs when certain metals, such as silver react with elements in the environment, such as oxygen and sulfur compounds.

All Phoria jewellery comes in a complimentary air-tight jewellery box to keep your piece in when it’s not being worn. Simply remove the black insert (if you didn’t order a chain) in your green box by lifting up the tab to reveal the tray.

Keeping your piece in an air-tight box helps to prevent oxidation which happens naturally when certain metals are in contact with air, particularly with silver. When jewellery oxidises it develops tarnish which can make your jewellery appear dull or discoloured. Keeping your piece in an air-tight box helps to create a barrier between the air and therefore helps to prevent tarnish. It will also help keep away dust and dirt to keep it’s cleanliness and appearance.

If your jewellery is stored for long periods of time, we recommend cleaning it occasionally to keep the process at bay. Wearing your jewellery often helps to slow down the oxidation process!

All Phoria jewellery comes with a care card and polishing cloth with details of how to care for your piece. Gold vermeil requires some special care to ensure the gold plating remains intact.

We advise you to avoid contact with chemicals, so please remove your jewellery when using cleaning products, applying lotions like fake tan, cosmetics, perfumes or hairsprays, as these can damage the gold plating.

We also advise you to remove your jewellery before showering to reduce how exposed to moisture they are. Wait until any products are dry on your skin before putting your jewellery back on.

To clean your jewellery or to restore its shine, use the polishing cloth provided to you to gently wipe any fingerprints, dirt and oils. You can also use any commercial gold polishing cloth specifically designed for gold vermeil. Follow the product’s instructions and rub the cloth onto the jewellery in gentle, circular motions. Be careful not to over-polish, as excessive polishing can wear away the gold plating. Avoid abrasive materials like paper towels, as they can scratch the gold.

If your jewellery needs a more thorough cleaning, create a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water. Dip a soft cloth or a soft-bristle toothbrush in the soapy water, and gently scrub the silver. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and make sure to pat dry with a clean cloth.

Avoid using ‘dip’ polish or abrasive jewellery cleaners on your gold vermeil jewellery as these contain harsh chemicals and can destroy your jewellery over time. We don’t recommend the use of any jewellery polishing cloths which have been treated with cleaners or polishing agents.

Be aware that gold plating on vermeil jewellery may wear over time, especially on areas that receive a lot of friction or contact, it can also depend on factors like how well it’s cared for and how often it’s worn. If the gold begins to show signs of wear or tarnish please feel free to get in touch at info@phoriajewellery.com to find out more about our reconditioning service.