The difference between Gold Plate, Gold Fill and Gold Vermeil
Gold plate is when the base metal (normally brass or steel) has a very fine layer of gold applied to it. As this is done by a cold press process, the effect is not so hard wearing as either gold fill or vermeil and will gradually wear off over time.
Gold Fill is harder wearing than standard gold plate as the base metal is covered in a thicker layer of gold. Like pure gold, it is government regulated and must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total product. Gold fill will wear like real gold and as long as it is treated correctly, will not tarnish.
Vermeil is a base of Sterling Silver covered in a much thicker layer of gold. The gold must be a minimum of 10 carat (42%) and at least 1.5 micrometers thick. It's the economical alternative to pure gold!
Caring for your jewellery
Eclectic Eccentricity items are made using either vintage raw brass or plated metals (unless otherwise stated, ie the Luxe range which is created using gold fill, Vermeil or Sterling Silver). Please be aware that they will tarnish over time and do need to be cared for. To prolong the life of your piece, here are a few tips!
* Never, ever (ever) wear perfume at the same time as your piece of jewellery. The chemicals in the perfume react with the plating which will cause it to tarnish and break down. Yucky! Strong body lotions can have the same effect.
* Goes without saying, but please, no showering/ sleeping in your jewellery!
* For delicate rings, best not be scrubbing away at the kitchen floor whilst wearing these. This works as a great housework clause though - you can't POSSIBLY do the house work whilst wearing your EE jewels... simply put, someone else will have to clean the bathroom for you. Or you could take it off and do it yourself, but where's the fun in that?
* When it comes to storing, it really is best to keep them in a box or wrapped away in a drawer.
* Give them a little clean occasionally and they will love you that much more. For plated materials, a light wipe with a mild soap works wonders. Rather than towel drying which risks flaking off the plating, give them a gentle breeze down with a hairdryer. Please be aware that this may make you look slightly mad to your nearest and dearest.
* For raw brass, feed them some Brasso every once in a while.
Nickel Content
All plated items comply with compulsory EEC regulations restricting the amount of nickel in jewellery. This states that only a teeny tiny amount of nickel may be present in the final piece (mass of nickel to total mass must be under 0.05%).
For further information, please see
http://www.teg.co.uk/teg/nickel/94-27-EC.htm