Materials & Care
Stainless Steel
Our core collection (Necklaces, Hoop Earrings & Bracelets) are all created with 14k or 18k Gold Plated Stainless Steel. This is to ensure our jewellery is waterproof, tarnish free & hypoallergenic.
Stainless Steel based jewellery is the most durable jewellery you can buy outside of solid gold. We use this as it far outperforms brass as a material to ensure we can create pieces that provide longevity, durability and quality of product, which is a core principle at Gold Folk.
Waterproof/ Tarnish Free items still require simple care practices in order to ensure they can last you a lifetime. In order to best care for your stainless steel pieces:
- Clean away any lingering residue from chemical based products (such as perfume, lotions, hair products) using a soft wash cloth and soapy water.
- Keep your jewellery dry when you can, wipe away any remaining water with a soft cloth or towel.
- Store your pieces safely to ensure they are not scratched by other jewellery items.
- When unworn, store away from direct sunlight. Depending on your climate, prolonged extreme heat exposure can affect gold plating overtime.
Sterling Silver - Huggie Earrings Only.
The only collection of items that use a different material are our Huggie collection. We use 18k gold plated Sterling Silver for these items due to the fine and delicate nature of their designs. Stainless Steel is a very difficult material to mould and proves difficult to craft with when the design is as fine and intricate as our huggie earrings require.
Sterling silver is a demi fine material and is delicate by nature. All jewellery created with sterling silver (across the industry) cannot be entirely tarnish free, regardless of how it is plated, due to the nature of the material. Please be aware Sterling Silver can be affected by a number of factors, inclusive of your bodies personal pH balance.
In order to best care for sterling silver items, we advise:
- Keep your piercings clean. Dirt, sulphur, body oils and sweat will affect S925 based pieces and can cause tarnishing.
- Remove when showering and sleeping, repetitive contact with water and sweat will speed up the tarnishing process.
- Ensure to dry off your huggie earrings if they come into contact with water and wipe away any lingering residue from perfumes, lotions or chemical products.
Oxidisation is a natural process of all sterling silver jewellery, no matter how is plated or where it is purchased from. It is important to follow the above guidelines to prolong the life of not only our huggie earrings, but any other sterling silver based pieces you may own.
Real Stone & Pearl Jewellery
Our beaded pieces are handmade with natural freshwater pearls and/or real stones, making it beautifully unique but also delicate by nature. These are organic gemstones and much softer than most stones, meaning they can scratch, crack, or become damaged if handled roughly.
To preserve your jewellery, please handle it gently and avoid pulling, tugging, or aggressively stretching the necklace, as this can weaken the thread and cause the piece to break. Likewise, avoid throwing, dropping, or knocking the necklace against hard surfaces, as natural pearls and stones may crack under impact.
For longevity, we recommend removing your jewellery before sleeping, exercising, or showering, and avoiding contact with perfumes, cosmetics, hairspray, or household chemicals, which can damage the surface of pearls and real stones over time. After wearing, gently wipe the pearls with a soft cloth and store the necklace in a soft pouch or jewellery box to protect it from scratches. With mindful care, your piece can remain a treasured part of your collection for years to come.