I strive to use high quality materials in my jewelry. I spend a lot of time researching suppliers and materials to make sure my jewelry will exceed your expectations.

Gemstones: I handpick all my gemstones from well established suppliers. I only use genuine gemstones, not man-made, plastic or glass!

Swarovski crystals: I choose Swarovski crystals for their reputation as the best in crystal beads. No other crystal has the superior faceting or sparkle.

Silver: All silver, including chain and wire, is either .925 sterling silver, .999 fine silver or .925 argentium silver {a new sterling grade silver that is tarnish resistant}. Bali silver is handcrafted sterling or fine silver from Bali, made by local craftsmen.

14K Gold-Filled {14K g.f.}: This is the next best thing to solid 14K gold.
Gold filled is a hollow tube of  10K, 12K or 14K gold that is filled with another metal. {I use 14K g.f. with a brass core.) It is made by bonding with heat and pressure – with normal wear and tear the karated gold will not tarnish, chip or wear off. The exterior of the gold filled jewelry is solid karated gold and everything you can see or touch is a solid layer of karated gold. Gold filled is considered a precious metal by the FTC and the gold content is regulated. In contrast, gold plate or gold dipped jewelry is not regulated by the FTC, its gold content is minimal and will show signs of wear in a short time.

Gold filled is an actual layer of gold-pressure bonded to another metal (usually brass).  Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating as filled literally has 100% more gold than gold plating.  Gold filled is much more valuable and tarnish resistant.  It does not flake off, rub off or turn colors.  As a matter of fact, anyone who can wear gold can usually wear gold filled without worries of any allergic reaction to the jewelry. 

Gold Plated vs Gold Filled

When deciding on a gold jewelry item there are always many different terms that come up.  The most popular are Solid Gold, Gold Filled, and Gold Plated.  It is important to know the differences between Gold Filled jewelry and Gold Plated jewelry when making your choice.  Solid gold is of course an exquisite piece of jewelry.  Gold filled is the next level and is an amazing, quality alternative to solid gold.  Gold plating is the lower level and these items tend to tarnish and can often times turn the skin green.

Gold Filled:  Gold filled is an actual layer of gold-pressure bonded to another metal.  Gold filled is not to be confused with gold plating as filled literally has 100% more gold than gold plating.  Gold filled is much more valuable and tarnish resistant.  It does not flake off, rub off or turn colors.  As a matter of fact, anyone who can wear gold can wear gold filled without worries of any allergic reaction to the jewelry.  Gold filled jewelry is an economical alternative to solid gold!           

Gold Plated:  A layer of gold applied to base metal, usually by electroplating. This is usually a very thin layer prone to scratching; it is likely to wear quickly exposing the metal underneath.

Vermeil:  It is basically sterling silver covered by a layer of gold. It is even more expensive than gold filled. One of the cons of vermeil is that since sterling silver is the base, and we all know sterling silver tarnishes, so expect vermeil to darken with age.

Government Regulation:  Gold filled items are regulated by the government.  These items are therefore so much better then gold plated which has no regulations at all.  Gold filled jewelry is made from solid gold and filled with other alloys such as rhodium (a member of the platinum family), brass, and sterling silver.  Gold filled wears, looks and lasts like solid gold because its outer surface IS solid gold.  Everything you can see and touch is pure gold.  In the jewelry industry the quantity of gold must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total product.