MATERIALS & PRODUCT CARE
Where is your jewellery made?
Our jewellery is made in the Paris atelier, by
passionate craftsmen.
And we only work with trustable gemstone suppliers in France and in
Europe.
Is it possible to create a piece of jewellery from one of my stones?
It is possible to create a custom-made piece of jewellery with your own stone. Do not hesitate to contact us directly at contact@choushuparis.com
What is vermeil?
Gold vermeil is a unique type of gold material used in
jewellery that has a .925 sterling silver base, and that base is expertly
plated in gold. Even though gold vermeil jewellery contains sterling silver as
its base, the colour of gold vermeil will always be a beautiful yellow golden
colour.
For France, there must be a minimum thickness of 5
microns of 750/1000e gold, on French silver of 950 or 800/1000e. It is the
silver hallmarks present that make it possible to speak of vermeil when the
silver is gold-plated under these conditions. Vermeil is also used to make the
plaque for the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. On vermeil objects weighing
more than 30g, a hallmark with the letter “V” in a diamond must accompany the
mark of the silver hallmark.
This is a key trait that distinguishes vermeil from
other materials, as the 5 minimum micron is a very thick gold portion.
For those first coming across the term vermeil, you
may be wondering how to properly pronounce this not-so-common word. The meaning
of vermeil is French, and is pronounced: “ver-may.” Another name for vermeil
could be “gilded silver.” Vermeil in French means when something is heavily
bonded together by gold. The technique of using vermeil gold was first
developed in 18th century France, mostly for royalty and other crown jewels.
Characteristics of Gold Vermeil Jewelry
More affordable than solid gold but still a luxurious option
Unlikely to cause allergies and skin irritations due to the sterling silver metal base and low nickel content
Generally will last for years (depending on your use)Tends to look more like solid gold
Better investment than standard gold-plated jewelry
Won’t discolour your skin
What is Sterling Silver or Silver 925?
Sterling silver and 925 silver are synonyms. Sterling silver is an alloy that contains 92.5 parts silver and 7.5 parts other metals, usually zinc and copper. To identify sterling silver jewelry, look for the abbreviation "925".
The origin of the word "Sterling" is believed to come from the term esterlin in the Middle Ages, a measure of weight used by silversmiths, which became a
monetary unit. The English phonetics changed from esterlin to
sterling.
Silver & Oxidation
Silver, like many other metals, oxidizes. With time, a dark layer is created by reaction with compounds in the air. This is a natural reaction that has nothing to do with the quality of the metal or jewelry. Certain types of skin (sweating)
cause silver to oxidize faster and stronger, which can leave black marks on the skin.
Silver does not rust because it does not contain iron. Only metal-containing iron can rust.
How should I care for my jewellery?
Jewelry is one of our most intimate and cherished accessories. Understanding how to care for and protect your treasured jewelry can make a world of difference in maintaining its beauty and keeping your heirlooms sparkling for generations to come.
BE CAREFUL WITH LIGHT AND HEAT
Just as the sun’s harmful rays can damage our skin, light and heat can affect a colored gemstone’s durability and color. Over time, and in excess, they can also fade or damage some gemstones, such as amethyst, kunzite, topaz and shell cameos.
Pearls and other delicate materials, such as ivory, will bleach under extreme exposure to light. Other gems, especially amber, can darken over time when exposed to too much light.
Excessive heat and sudden temperature changes may also fracture some gems.
Heat can easily remove the natural moisture these gems need to keep their beauty. Pearls, for instance, can dry out, crack and discolor. Opals can turn white or brown, develop tiny cracks, and might lose their play-of-color.
KEEP YOUR JEWELRY AWAY FROM CHEMICALS
Exposure to
chemicals can damage or discolor precious metals – gold, silver and platinum and may harm some colored gems. Even everyday substances like hairspray, lotion, perfume or other cosmetics can contain chemicals that will permanently
damage the surface of your pearls and other delicate or porous gems (like turquoise). Fine jewelry should be removed before diving into a chlorinated
swimming pool or before using household cleaners. Many of these cleaners contain ammonia, which can be too harsh for delicate gems or vintage jewelry.
Chlorine bleach, another common household solvent, can pit or damage gold alloys.
GIVE TREATED GEMS SPECIAL CARE
Many colored gemstones are routinely treated to improve the appearance of color and clarity. These treatments can be negatively affected by heat, solvents, steam and ultrasonic cleaners. Knowing whether your gem has been treated is the first step to knowing how to care for it. This is where a GIA report comes in – it contains important information about your gem and any detectable treatments it may have undergone.
USE ULTRASONIC CLEANERS WITH CAUTION
You should be aware that not all gems and jewelry can be safely
cleaned in it.
Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used to clean:
Gemstones with surface reaching breaks that have been filled with a substance such as oil, resin or a glass-like material
Organic gem materials such as pearls, coral,ivory,or amber
Gems that have been coated with a non-permanent substance like plastic or wax
Some heat-treated gemstones
Gems that are susceptible to heat and temperature changes whether they are treated or not.
Some of these gems include tanzanite, feldspar (sunstone and moonstone), fluorite, iolite, kunzite, lapis lazuli, malachite, opal, topaz, turquoise, zircon and others
What’s more, the vibration generated by the machine can sometimes shake gems loose or
chip gems that are set with their girdles touching.
Could you replating my jewellery?
It is possible to send jewelry back to us and ask us to repair it.
If you notice that your vermeil jewellery is starting to lose its shine, we offer a replating service for a fee. This includes the refurbishment of the jewellery (unless it has a deep chip in the metal). The process involves polishing the jewel and then dipping it in gold. For the price please shend us an email
