Materials and Care

Adore Adorn

Materials & Care

Every material we use is chosen for a reason. Here is what goes into each piece — what it is made of, where it comes from, and how to care for it.

Finish

Aged Brass

Antiqued finish for a vintage look

We offer an antiqued brass finish for those who love vintage-style jewelry. The process involves chemically treating the metal to achieve a darkened, aged tone that gives each piece a sense of history. The brass base is paired with our signature designs for a warm, earthy feel.

Aged brass develops more character over time. The patina shifts with wear, making each piece increasingly unique to the wearer.

Rosie Bracelet in Aged Brass

Care

  • Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing
  • Store in the anti-tarnish pouch included with your piece
  • Remove before showering, swimming, or exercise
  • Avoid prolonged contact with water or moisture
  • Keep away from perfumes, lotions, and cleaning products

Good to Know

  • Patina deepens with wear — this is part of the design
  • Brass is naturally antimicrobial
  • Can be gently cleaned with lemon juice and salt if desired
  • Not recommended for sensitive skin — wear over clothing or on less reactive areas
Precious Metal

925 Sterling Silver

92.5% pure silver, alloyed for strength

All of our jewelry starts with a 925 sterling silver base — 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% copper for durability. This is engraved on the back of each piece for authenticity. Sterling silver is the foundation of fine jewelry: bright, reflective, and strong enough for both bold sculptural designs and delicate chains.

Silver tarnishes naturally when exposed to air and moisture. This is not a defect — it is the nature of the metal. A quick polish brings it back to bright. Some collectors prefer the darkened patina on textured or oxidized pieces, where it adds depth and contrast.

Lilly Ring in Sterling Silver Missy Ring in Sterling Silver

Care

  • Polish with a silver cloth to remove tarnish
  • Store in anti-tarnish pouch when not wearing
  • Remove before showering, swimming, or cleaning
  • Keep away from rubber, wool, and sulfur-containing materials
  • Wear it often — regular wear actually slows tarnishing

Good to Know

  • .925 hallmarked — industry standard for fine silver jewelry
  • Tarnishing is natural and easily reversed
  • Strong enough for bold, sculptural designs
  • Hypoallergenic for most people — no nickel
  • The base metal for all our vermeil and plated pieces
Precious Metal Finish

White Rhodium

Platinum-family metal, applied as a finish over 925 silver

Rhodium is a member of the platinum family and one of the most expensive precious metals in the world. We plate it over our 925 sterling silver to create a bright, cool-white finish with exceptional scratch resistance, shine, luster, and durability.

The finish is harder than both gold and silver, which means it resists scratching better than most jewelry metals. It is also hypoallergenic. Our white rhodium pieces have a mirror-like quality — high-shine, modern, and clean. Over years of daily wear, the plating can thin and may benefit from re-plating, which any fine jeweler can do.

Shari Hoop Earrings in White Rhodium

Care

  • Clean with warm water and a soft cloth — no harsh chemicals
  • Avoid abrasive polishing cloths (they can thin the plating)
  • Remove before using cleaning products or chlorine
  • Store separately from other metals to prevent scratching
  • Re-plating available through any fine jeweler when needed

Good to Know

  • Platinum-family metal — naturally bright white
  • Harder and more scratch-resistant than gold or silver
  • Hypoallergenic — ideal for sensitive skin
  • Does not tarnish like unplated silver
  • Re-plating is routine maintenance, not a repair
Plated Finish

14K Gold Plated

Sterling silver base coated with 1 micron of 14K gold

Our 14K gold plated pieces use a sterling silver base coated with a 1 micron layer of 14-karat gold. This gives the piece a warm gold tone at an accessible price point. The sterling silver base means you are still wearing precious metal underneath — not brass or base alloy.

Gold plating is thinner than vermeil and will wear over time with regular use. With proper care, plated pieces maintain their finish well. When the plating does wear, the sterling silver underneath is revealed — not a lesser metal.

Gigi Banded Pearl Ring in 14K Gold

Care

  • Remove before showering, swimming, or exercise
  • Store in the anti-tarnish pouch included with your piece
  • Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth
  • Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, and harsh chemicals
  • Put jewelry on last when getting dressed

Good to Know

  • 1 micron gold layer over 925 sterling silver
  • Thinner than vermeil — treat with extra care
  • Sterling silver base, not brass
  • Can be re-plated by a jeweler to restore the finish
  • Best for occasional or rotational wear
Plated Finish

14K Rose Gold Plated

Sterling silver base with 1 micron of rose gold

The pinkish tone of rose gold comes from a mix of gold and copper alloy. We electroplate our sterling silver jewelry with 1 micron of rose gold for a warm, blush-toned finish. The color sits between yellow gold and silver — softer, warmer, and flattering across a wide range of skin tones.

Like all plated finishes, the rose gold layer will gradually wear with daily use. The sterling silver underneath ensures the piece remains wearable and can be re-plated whenever you want to restore the original color.

Missy Ring in Rose Gold

Care

  • Remove before showering, swimming, or exercise
  • Store in the anti-tarnish pouch included with your piece
  • Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth
  • Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, and harsh chemicals
  • Put jewelry on last when getting dressed

Good to Know

  • 1 micron rose gold layer over 925 sterling silver
  • Warm, blush tone from gold-copper alloy
  • Sterling silver base, not brass
  • Can be re-plated to restore original color
  • Pairs well with yellow gold and silver pieces
Plated Finish

18K Gold Plated

Sterling silver base with 2 micron layers of 18K gold

Our 18K gold plated pieces use a sterling silver base coated with 2 micron layers of 18-karat gold — twice the thickness of standard gold plating. This produces a deeper, richer golden tone with improved durability compared to single-layer plating.

The double-layer application gives these pieces a warmth and depth closer to solid gold. While still a plated finish (and thinner than vermeil at 2.5 microns), the 2 micron layers hold up well to regular wear when cared for properly.

Ring in 18K Gold Plated Reava Pendant in 18K Gold

Care

  • Remove before showering, swimming, or exercise
  • Store in the anti-tarnish pouch included with your piece
  • Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth
  • Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, and harsh chemicals
  • Put jewelry on last when getting dressed

Good to Know

  • 2 micron gold layers — thicker than standard plating
  • Deeper gold tone than 14K plated
  • Sterling silver base, not brass
  • Can be re-plated by a jeweler when needed
  • More durable than single-layer plating
Precious Metal

Gold Vermeil

Sterling silver base, thick 18K gold layer — minimum 2.5 microns

Vermeil (pronounced "ver-may") is sterling silver plated with a thick layer of 18-karat gold — a minimum of 2.5 microns, which is significantly heavier than standard gold plating. The result is real gold over real silver, with the weight and warmth of gold at a fraction of the cost of solid.

We use 18K vermeil across our core collections. It is the entry point to fine jewelry — genuine precious metals, no brass, no base alloys. If you have been wearing gold-plated fashion jewelry and noticed the color fading or the metal turning, this is the upgrade. Vermeil holds its color with proper care and develops a soft patina over time.

Stackable Ring in Gold Vermeil

Care

  • Remove before showering, swimming, or exercise
  • Store in the anti-tarnish pouch included with your piece
  • Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth
  • Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, and harsh chemicals
  • Put jewelry on last when getting dressed

Good to Know

  • Minimum 2.5 micron gold thickness (FTC standard for vermeil)
  • Sterling silver core — not brass or base metal
  • With care, vermeil pieces last years
  • May develop warm patina over time — this is normal
  • Available in yellow gold and rose gold finishes
Precious Metal

14K-18K Solid Gold

No plating, no filling — gold through and through

Solid gold is exactly what it sounds like — gold through and through. No plating to wear off. No filling to separate. Our solid gold pieces are available in 14K and 18K, depending on the design.

14K gold is 58.3% pure gold, alloyed with other metals for strength. It is more durable for everyday wear and holds up to decades of use. 18K gold is 75% pure gold — warmer in color, softer to the touch, and the choice for pieces where richness of tone matters most. Both are investment-grade metals that can be polished, repaired, and restored indefinitely.

Care

  • Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush
  • Professional polishing restores original finish
  • Store pieces separately to prevent scratching
  • Safe for daily wear — solid gold does not tarnish
  • Remove before heavy physical work to avoid dents

Good to Know

  • Will not tarnish, fade, or change color
  • Can be resized, polished, and repaired for life
  • Develops a natural patina that many collectors prefer
  • Holds and often increases in value over time
  • The standard for heirloom jewelry
Ethically Sourced

Our Gemstones

We source the highest quality gemstones within the price point. Every gemstone is conflict-free with documented sourcing. We select stones for their color, clarity, and meaning.

Natural Gemstones
Any mineral that has been mined from the ground and cut into a gemstone. Natural gemstones can take millions of years to create.
Precious & Semi-Precious Gemstones
Precious gemstones include diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald. These are our most valuable natural gemstones. Semi-precious stones — like amethyst, garnet, citrine, and aquamarine — offer equally meaningful properties at a wider range of price points.
Sapphire
Truth, inner wisdom, clarity. Associated with clear thinking and honest self-knowledge.
Emerald
Growth, new beginnings, renewal. The stone most connected to starting over.
Ruby
Heart-centered power, life force, self-worth. The most valued colored gemstone for centuries.
Diamond
Resilience, permanence, what does not break. The hardest natural material on earth.
Amethyst
Intuition, spiritual growth, sovereignty. Historically worn by those claiming their own authority.
Garnet
Passion, vitality, reclaiming desire. Deep red, deeply personal.
Rose Quartz
Self-love, compassion, emotional healing. The stone of gentleness toward yourself.
Morganite
Compassion, emotional healing, stepping into identity. Rare and quietly powerful.
Citrine
Confidence, personal power, warmth. The stone of women who have stopped waiting for permission.
Aquamarine
Courage, letting go, emotional clarity. Named for the sea — it carries that same calm.
Doublet Stones
Natural gemstones that are heat treated to achieve maximum color. These should not be over-exposed to direct light for extended periods, as it can affect the stone's color over time.
Synthetic Gemstones
Gemstones made in a lab that have a natural counterpart. They possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as a natural stone — identical in composition, different in origin.

Gemstone Care

  • Avoid exposing gemstones to extreme heat or sudden temperature changes
  • Clean with a soft, damp cloth — avoid ultrasonic cleaners for most stones
  • Store gemstone pieces separately to prevent scratching
  • Remove before applying sprays, lotions, or cleaning products
  • Doublet stones should be kept out of prolonged direct sunlight

Good to Know

  • Natural gemstones may have inclusions — these are marks of authenticity
  • Color can vary slightly between stones — each is unique
  • Wearing gemstones can facilitate natural healing properties
  • All gemstones are conflict-free with documented chain-of-custody
  • Synthetic stones are chemically identical to natural — not imitation

Our Standards

All gemstones are ethically sourced or lab-created with documented chain-of-custody. No conflict minerals. Recycled metals preferred; all new metals from verified ethical sources. Manufacturing meets or exceeds labor standards — living wages, safe conditions. No plastic packaging.