FAQ on Jewelry Care for Gold Filled and Sterling Silver Metals

We are obsessed with high quality casual jewelry and we hope you are soon obsessed with your pieces from Leo and Lynn Jewelry. We work hard to source the highest quality supplies to ensure comfort and style for you. With just a few simple care and cleaning tips your jewelry can have a long life. 

First, it's important to know what type of metal your jewelry is made of to be able to care for it and clean it properly. 

Gold filled jewelry is made with a thicker layer of gold heat bonded over a normally brass core. Gold filled jewelry is highly durable and with proper care will remain tarnish resistant. 

Gold plated jewelry is made with a thinner layer of gold typically dipped onto a brass core. Gold plated jewelry is a great economically friendly option as it is often lower in price than gold filled jewelry. The gold plating may show wear over time and is more prone to tarnish than gold filled. 

Sterling Silver is an alloy metal made with at least 90% silver and then up to 10% of other metals. Sterling silver is a great option for casual jewelry and with proper care is durable. Sterling silver will oxidize and potentially tarnish if exposed to moisture. 

 

Chlorine and salt water can be very damaging to metal so we recommend taking off all types of jewelry before swimming in pools and oceans. 

Every person has a different body composition and metal will react differently to each person. You know yourself best so if you know that metal tends to tarnish or react to your body's natural oils or sweat, we recommend taking it off before exercising. 

Gold plated and sterling silver jewelry should always be taken off before sweating. 

Gold filled jewelry can be worn when showering but make sure to dry jewelry after your shower. 

Gold plated and sterling silver jewelry should always be taken off before sweating. 

 

Storage

Jewelry loves to be snug and safe in a closed storage location away from air and moisture. More air and moisture = more wear and potential tarnishing. 

While storage in your bathroom might be convenient for getting ready, PLEASE don't store your jewelry in a bathroom because the moisture content in the room is significantly higher. 

If you are looking for a storage option - add a silsuede jewelry pouch to your order for $3. 

 

Sleeping comfort is a very personal preference. I personally sleep in my gold filled necklace all the time. 

We recommend taking off gold plated and sterling silver jewelry for sleeping and placing them in a secure storage place. 

 

Wear and tarnish happens! Metals react so differently to skin, moisture, climate, etc... but no need to panic if you notice changes to your jewelry. 

We recommend cleaning with a mild soap and soft cloth then drying thoroughly. I also often will use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol on it to clean my earring posts. 

 

S*it happens - kids yank our necklaces, we lose an earring, we run an earring over with a car (yes a customer actually did that!)... so we are with you for the life of your jewelry. If something happens to your jewelry, reach out to us so we can fix it, replace it, or find a resolution that gets you back in your favorite jewelry. 

If your jewelry is damaged or broken, contact Leo and Lynn Jewelry via email to report the damage and request a repair or replacement. Leo and Lynn Jewelry offers free repairs when the damaged or broken piece can be repaired. Replacements are at the discretion of Leo and Lynn Jewelry, and dependent on supply availability. Leo and Lynn Jewelry will work with customers on a one on one basis to determine a suitable resolution for damages and broken jewelry.