JEWELLERY CARE INSTRUCTIONS
GOLD VERMEIL JEWELLERY
Gold vermeil is an overlay of gold, plated on a base of sterling silver. ORAÏK jewellery uses vermeil of 24k fine gold with a thickness of 5 microns.
While vermeil jewellery is more affordable than solid gold, it is more delicate and requires special care. To preserve the gold colour of your vermeil jewellery, please follow our care instructions.
WEAR WITH CARE
Remove your vermeil jewellery in the following situations:
before showering or bathing. Importantly, avoid salt and chlorine water which can damage vermeil. If your jewellery piece accidentally gets wet, rinse it with tap water, dry it with a soft, dry cotton cloth and let it air dry to allow the excessive moisture to evaporate.
during intense manual activity (e.g. washing dishes, gardening)
when applying perfume, lotion, or hair spray. Chemicals, moisture and acidic environments can react with the metal and cause changes in its appearance. Wait until your product is completely dry before slipping on your jewellery.
before sleep
HOW TO STORE YOUR JEWELLERY
Vermeil jewellery should not be exposed to direct sunlight or humid environments (e.g. bathrooms) which cause the metals to oxidise and slowly tarnish over time.
The pieces should be stored individually in a protective jewellery box or a plastic zip lock bag to prevent scratches.
*Please note that the ORAÏK boxes in which we ship your jewellery are not suitable for long-term storage as they are not airtight and may cause the jewellery to tarnish over time. For storage, use a zip lock bag or an airtight container.
HOW TO CLEAN VERMEIL JEWELLERY
Wipe your vermeil jewellery very gently with a soft, cotton cloth. Avoid using chemical cleaners or soaps. If the dirt is hard to remove, you can rinse the piece in lukewarm water, but we don’t recommend doing this often. Ensure to thoroughly dry it afterwards.
RENEW THE GOLD PLATING
Although we do use the best quality gold plating services, vermeil pieces are, by default, more fragile and liable to lose their colour overtime. The speed at which the gold plating fades depends on many factors: the environment, the wearer’s skin pH, chemical skincare products, etc.
If your jewellery has lost its gold colour, contact us and inquire about our plating service. We offer our clients renewal of the gold plating at cost price (plus shipping costs), without any extra fees.
22k GOLD JEWELLERY
Jewellery in massive gold can last for a lifetime if given the appropriate care. Keep in mind that gold is a relatively soft metal and can scratch easily. That’s why you should avoid wearing gold rings during intense manual activities, in which the risk of abrasion is high. Or simply accept that time will leave some marks on your jewellery piece over its lifetime.
You can clean your gold pieces with mild soap, warm water and a soft toothbrush. Dry the pieces properly with a soft, cotton cloth and store individually in a jewellery box or pouch.
ENAMEL JEWELLERY
Many ORAÏK jewellery pieces are decorated with vitreous enamel. We use a traditional ancient technique in which enamel is produced by fusing powdered glass with a metal base by firing at high temperatures. The result is a delicate layer of glass with shiny, vibrant colours which add to the character of the jewellery piece.
MOST IMPORTANTLY
Due to the fragile nature of enamel, avoid dropping or knocking enamel jewellery against a hard surface. Impact may cause enamel to crack, chip or break.
Do not bend or warp the jewellery piece out of shape.
Store your enamel jewellery individually in a protective jewellery box or pouch.
REPAIRS
In the case that your enamel piece accidentally suffered damage, contact us and we will try to help.