Zurina Ketola’s handcrafted demi-fine jewelry features a range of high-quality metals. Scroll to learn about each type and the best ways to clean and care for them. These tips will help keep your pieces looking new for years to come. 

GOLD JEWELRY

14K GOLD FILL (US) 

Gold fill is made using a layer of solid gold which is pressure-bonded to a base metal, most often brass. Gold fill products are 5% gold by weight. If properly cared for, your gold filled jewelry can last decades — even with daily wear! 

You’ll find 14K gold fill materials in ZK’s handcrafted ear wires, ear cuffs, wire-wrapped gemstone drops, links, and chains.

 

Zurina works with 14K gold fill because of its affordability and durability. Gold fill wears like solid gold, making it a good choice if you have metal allergies and want something high-quality that’s affordable. You can wear your gold fill jewelry in the shower or bath, but you might consider taking off necklaces as dirt and oils can build up in the small crevices of the chain.

Ethically Sourced Gold

The 14K gold fill wire found in ZK ear wires, post earrings, hoop earrings, ear cuffs, wire-wrapped gemstones, links, and basic components is made from ethically sourced gold.

How to Clean & Store Gold Fill Jewelry

Use non-abrasive cleaners to clean your gold fill jewelry. The product should state that it’s for use on alternative metals or costume jewelry. As an alternative, you can use mild dish soap with the steps below. 

Note: Steer clear of abrasive cleaners, polishes, or jewelry cloths. While gold fill is pretty durable, these types of cleaners can remove the surface over time, shortening the life of your piece.   

You’ll need:

• 2-3 drops of mild liquid dish detergent
• 1/2 cup water
• bowl + spoon
• soft, clean cloth

Directions:

1. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to the bowl of water and mix until you see bubbles. 
2. Place your jewelry in for a few minutes.
3. Remove and use the cloth to wipe dry.

Storage: ZK recommends storing your gold fill jewelry in the box or air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box. 

16K GOLD PLATE

Gold plating is a chemical process that binds a layer of gold particles to a metal surface, typically brass. Compared to gold fill, gold plating is not as thick or as durable a finish and will wear off over time. This material is not recommended for individuals with metal allergies and should not be worn in the water. 

You’ll find 16K gold plated details in Zurina’s line of leather jewelry, including the selection of leather bangles and chokers.

How to Clean & Store 16K Gold Plate Jewelry

Cleaning: Gold plated jewelry should only be cleaned with specially formulated non-abrasive liquid jewelry cleaner and wiped dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Storage: ZK recommends storing your gold plated jewelry in the box and air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box. Be sure to store these pieces away from other jewelry to prevent scratching the surface.

GOLD TONE W/ ANTI-TARNISH FINISH

Zurina’s gold tone jewelry has a matte, pale-gold appearance and includes an anti-tarnish finish. This material is not recommended for individuals with metal allergies.

ZK’s gold tone finished jewelry is relatively durable and wears like gold plated pieces. 

You’ll find gold tone details with an anti-tarnish finish in Zurina’s beaded gemstone bracelets, triplet bangles, and crochet silk solitaire necklace.

How to Clean & Store Gold Tone Jewelry

Cleaning: Gold tone jewelry should only be cleaned with specially formulated non-abrasive liquid jewelry cleaners intended for costume jewelry and wiped dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Storage: ZK recommends storing your gold tone jewelry in the box and air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box. Be sure to store these pieces away from other jewelry to prevent scratching the surface.

ROSE GOLD JEWELRY

14K ROSE GOLD FILL

Rose gold uses copper as a coloring agent to give yellow gold a warm pink tint. Rose gold fill is made using a layer of solid gold which is pressure-bonded to a base metal, most often brass. Rose gold fill products are 5% gold by weight. If properly cared for, your rose gold filled jewelry can last decades — even with daily wear! 

You’ll find 14K rose gold fill materials in ZK’s handcrafted ear wires, ear cuffs, wire-wrapped gemstone drops, links, and chains.

Zurina works with 14K rose gold fill because of its affordability and durability. It wears like solid rose gold, making it a good choice if you have metal allergies and want something high-quality that’s affordable. You can wear your rose gold fill jewelry in the shower or bath, but you might consider taking off necklaces as dirt and oils can build up in the small crevices of the chain. 

Ethically Sourced Rose Gold

The 14K rose gold fill wire found in ZK ear wires, post earrings, hoop earrings, ear cuffs, wire-wrapped gemstones, links, and basic components is made from ethically sourced gold. 

How to Clean & Store Rose Gold Fill Jewelry

Use non-abrasive cleaners to clean your rose gold fill jewelry. The product should state that it’s for use on alternative metals or costume jewelry. As an alternative, you can use mild dish soap with the steps below. 

Note: Steer clear of abrasive cleaners, polishes, or jewelry cloths. While rose gold fill is pretty durable, these types of cleaners can remove the surface over time, shortening the life of your piece. 

You’ll need:

• 2-3 drops Dawn liquid dish detergent or similar mild liquid detergent
• 1/2 cup water
• bowl + spoon
• soft, clean cloth

Directions:

1. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to the bowl of water and mix until you see bubbles. 
2. Place your jewelry in for a few minutes.
3. Remove and use the cloth to wipe dry.

Storage: ZK recommends storing your rose gold fill jewelry in the box or air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box.

16K ROSE GOLD PLATE

Rose gold plating is a chemical process that binds a layer of rose gold particles to a metal surface, in this case, brass, giving the metal a sparkling rose gold finish. Compared to rose gold fill, rose gold plating is not as thick or as durable a finish and will wear off over time. This material is not recommended for individuals with metal allergies and should not be worn in the water. 

You’ll find 16K rose gold plated details in Zurina’s line of leather jewelry, including the selection of leather bangles and chokers.

 

How to Clean & Store 16K Rose Gold Plate Jewelry

Cleaning: Rose gold plated jewelry should only be cleaned with specially formulated non-abrasive liquid jewelry cleaners and wiped dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Storage: ZK recommends storing your rose gold plated jewelry iin the box and air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box. Be sure to store these pieces away from other jewelry to prevent scratching the surface.

SILVER JEWELRY

STERLING SILVER | 92.5% 

Sterling silver is a mix of metals consisting of 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal, often copper. Pure silver is a relatively soft metal and can be easily scratched and dented. The addition of copper creates a stronger, more durable metal that is perfect for everyday wear. Sterling silver jewelry is often fine for individuals with allergies or metal sensitivities and can be worn in the water. 

You’ll find sterling silver in Zurina’s handcrafted ear wires, ear cuffs, wire-wrapped gemstone drops, links, and chains. 

Recycled Sterling Silver

The sterling silver wire found in ZK ear wires, post earrings, hoop earrings, ear cuffs, wire-wrapped gemstones, links, and basic components is all recycled. 

How to Clean & Store Sterling Silver Jewelry

Cleaning: Sterling silver jewelry can be cleaned in a variety of ways. As a solid metal, abrasive cleaners are great at pulling out silver’s natural shine and erasing any signs of tarnish. 

Storage: ZK recommends storing your sterling silver jewelry in the box and air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box. 

FINE SILVER | 99.9%

Fine silver is a relatively soft metal and isn’t suitable for all jewelry; however, it works well for special adornments. 

You’ll find fine silver in Zurina’s pendants, beads, and other small yet eye-catching components. 

How to Clean & Store Fine Silver Jewelry

Cleaning: Fine silver jewelry can be cleaned in a variety of ways. As a solid metal, abrasive cleaners are great at pulling out silver’s natural shine and erasing any signs of tarnish. 

Storage: ZK recommends storing your fine silver jewelry in the box and air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box.

SILVER PLATE W/ ANTI-TARNISH FINISH

Zurina’s silver plated copper details have a matte silver appearance and include an anti-tarnish finish. This material is not recommended for individuals with metal allergies.   

ZK’s silver plated copper jewelry is relatively durable and wears like rhodium plated pieces. 

You’ll find silver plate details with an anti-tarnish finish in Zurina’s beaded gemstone bracelets, gemstone bangles, and crochet silk solitaire necklace, to name a few.

How to Clean & Store Silver Plate Jewelry

Cleaning: Silver plated copper jewelry should only be cleaned with specially formulated non-abrasive liquid jewelry cleaners intended for costume jewelry and wiped dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Storage: ZK recommends storing your silver plate jewelry in the box and air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box. Be sure to store these pieces away from other jewelry to prevent scratching the surface.

RHODIUM PLATE

Rhodium is a highly valuable metal (even more than gold). It has a silver appearance and is typically used to plate solid white gold jewelry. Rhodium plating is a chemical process that binds a layer of rhodium particles to a metal surface, in this case, brass. This gives the metal a bright silver finish. Compared to solid sterling silver, rhodium plating is not as thick or as durable a finish and will wear off over time. This material is not recommended for individuals with metal allergies and should not be worn in the water. 

You’ll find rhodium plated details in Zurina’s line of leather jewelry, including leather bangles, prosperity bracelets, and chokers.

How to Clean and Store Rhodium Plate Jewelry

Cleaning: Rhodium plated jewelry should only be cleaned with specially formulated non-abrasive liquid jewelry cleaners and wiped dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Storage: ZK recommends storing your rhodium plated jewelry in the box and air-tight plastic bag it came in, or in a lined jewelry box. Be sure to store these pieces away from other jewelry to prevent scratching the surface.

If you have additional questions on how to care for your handcrafted Zurina Ketola semi-fine jewelry, get in touch.