Jewelry Care
HOW DO I PROTECT MY JEWELRY?
Protection
Jewelry should be kept dry. If your jewelry is not used frequently, keep it stored in the provided dust bag. Good storage boxes are lined with tarnish-proof fabric and have a separate space for each individual piece. If your climate is humid, place a small packet of desiccant crystals inside your storage area. Avoid storing the jewelry with rubber products. Always remove your jewelry when applying colognes, perfumes or other chemical products.
Chlorine, especially at elevated temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewelry. Gently clean your gold or vermeil jewelry with a soft polishing cloth. Be sure not to over-polish jewelry, especially vermeil, because it can damage the finish.
Cleaning
In most cases just use a non-abrasive cloth for cleaning. For extremely dirty jewelry, use a soft-bristled toothbrush (be sure not to use a stiff-bristled toothbrush or it could damage the finish). Make sure you rinse well and wipe with a soft non-abrasive cloth to dry. Water residue can cause staining. Make sure the piece is fully dry before returning to storage.
HOW DOES THE LIFETIME GUARANTEE WORK?
Drippy is committed to providing the highest standard of jewelry – which is why we offer a Lifetime Guarantee for all purchases. If your product damages, fades, or breaks during normal wear, the Guarantee entitles you to a one-time replacement of the piece – free of charge. If for any reason we no longer carry the item, you are permitted to exchange your piece for another of equal or lesser value.
WHAT IS PVD PLATING?
To start off, PVD or physical vapor deposition is a process that applies one metal (14k Gold unless otherwise stated) with another metal (stainless steel for example) and bonds them together. In other words, the gold is vaporized in a vacuum at extreme temperatures and then condenses around the other metal molecule by molecule. PVD coatings are durable and resistant to corrosion from regular wear and sweat.
What is Gold Plating?
Gold Plating is a thin layer of real gold that is plated onto another metal (ex: stainless steel). This technique is used to offer the look of gold at a low price.
In contrast, Gold plating is not as durable as PVD gold coating, and once scratched the layer of metal beneath the gold will be revealed.
Which option is better?
Due to the extensive research conducted, We have come to the conclusion that PVD Gold Coating is the most desirable option, because of the durability and longer lifetime the coating offers. Since gold PVD coatings are 10 times thicker than standard gold plating, it is resistant against corrosion and does not discolor within a short time period. Obviously, gold PVD will be slightly more expensive than gold plating but it will last longer and be worth the extra money. If you are looking to get a quality product with a budget-friendly cost, the PVD gold coating is the option you should choose.
WHAT IS VERMEIL?
Vermeil is a term used to describe high-quality jewelry that must meet the following standards:
1.) The base metal is .925 Sterling Silver (no brass, copper, nickel, or tungsten)
2.) The gold karat must be at least 12K. We utilize 18K and 14K, depending on the piece.
3.) The gold must be at least 2.5 microns thick. This is much thicker than electroplating or typical gold dipped jewelry and will outlast typical gold plated items.
*All Vermeil items are a 925 sterling silver base, except Franco and Tennis chains which are made of a stainless steel base due to the chain style.*