Jewelry Myths & Deceptive Advertising

Not too long ago I noticed an advert for a brand new jewelry model which bragged concerning the wonderful options of their jewelry which they claimed made it superior to different jewelry designs. As a jewelry skilled I used to be very skeptical of the claims being made, so I made a decision to do a little bit of analysis into deceptive advertising and marketing to attempt to bust some jewelry myths.

I hope this can enable you to to make higher selections once you’re looking for jewelry as no one likes to be misled or conned. So let’s get began …

Waterproof Jewelry

Once I appeared into one model claiming to promote waterproof jewelry, their product care recommendation included avoiding contact with liquids and chemical compounds, together with publicity to humidity … Riiiight.

The very fact is that water will ultimately be an issue for many metallic jewelry with sufficient publicity and relying on what chemical compounds that water comprises. Take into account that nearly all water you come into contact with is not pure.

Valuable Metals

Valuable metals, resembling strong silver jewelry and gold jewelry, are rather more sturdy on the subject of contact with water than base metals like brass or nickel, however they’re nonetheless not impervious.

Pure gold and silver are each tender metals that are typically not fitted to use in jewelry making, so they’re nearly at all times alloyed with different metals to make them tougher. Salt water and chlorinated water particularly could cause injury to a few of these alloyed metals, which over time may end up in pitting and discolouration, relying on how steadily and for the way lengthy the jewelry is immersed.

Platinum jewelry is usually 90-95% pure and will probably be very resilient on the subject of water and chemical publicity. Nevertheless, it is going to nonetheless include alloyed metals which can trigger issues over time, particularly at decrease ranges of purity.

That is to not say that it is best to by no means expose strong treasured metallic jewelry to water or it is going to be ruined: that is completely not true and you’ll go about your everyday life with out worrying an excessive amount of. More than likely you will get away with carrying your treasured metallic jewelry on the seashore or swimming pool for years.

Nevertheless, remember that ultimately it is seemingly present injury from these actions, particularly if the publicity is frequent or for lengthy intervals. Even showering and repeated contact with soaps, shampoos, family cleansing chemical compounds, and so on. will ultimately have an effect.

So when you’re going for a swim, having a shower or doing a little cleansing, it is a good suggestion to take treasured items off at the very least a number of the time.

In case your jewelry is plated slightly than strong treasured metallic, then it is vital to take further care to guard the skinny plated floor which is prone to ultimately put on by way of to the metallic beneath.

Stainless Metal & Titanium

Even extremely corrosion resistant metals like stainless-steel and titanium will be affected by chemical compounds present in some water and from lengthy intervals of water immersion, so it is nonetheless advisable that you just take away such jewelry whereas showering and when you go swimming usually.

Gemstone Jewelry

When you have gemstone jewelry, then that is additionally one thing to think about on the subject of water. Softer gems like opal and in addition pearls will be affected by publicity to water. Do your analysis earlier than getting gemstone jewelry moist frequently.

PVD Coating

On the upside, there’s PVD coating (bodily vapour deposition) which bonds a powerful coating materials to metallic jewelry. This does present good safety from water injury and makes jewelry tarnish resistant. Some manufacturers promoting waterproof jewelry are certainly utilizing PVD coatings, so their claims are extra legitimate.

That is nonetheless removed from an ideal resolution, nevertheless. Whereas PVD coating is sturdy, it is going to be troublesome to restore or exchange when it wears by way of, which it is going to nearly actually do ultimately – and sooner for designs that take loads of put on and tear (rings and bracelets particularly). It is also an costly course of, so there will probably be a restricted array of typically mass produced designs which make use of it and it’ll noticeably enhance the worth of these designs. One other situation is that if the piece must be repaired, resized otherwise you need it redesigned, the coating might trigger issues.

It is as much as you to determine whether or not it is price it, particularly if the underlying metallic is not treasured (most PVD coated jewelry I’ve encountered is not made from strong treasured metallic) and the piece has minimal intrinsic worth.

The underside line

All metals and a few gems will probably be considerably affected by extended publicity to water or moisture, which might result in corrosion, pitting or different injury.

If you happen to see metallic jewelry marketed as being waterproof, then you should definitely look into what backs up this declare. Whereas there are some methods of creating metals extra proof against water injury, it is best to verify what particular methodology is getting used (if any), together with what the professionals and cons may be.

To actually care to your metallic jewelry keep away from exposing it to salt water, chlorine and different liquid chemical compounds as a lot as you possibly can handle. Additionally keep away from getting it moist steadily or for prolonged intervals.

This additionally goes for extremely corrosion resistant metals and even these which have been handled not directly to make them extra water-resistant, particularly if you wish to maintain these items in nice situation for years to return.

Be taught extra about learn how to take care of jewelry.

Sweatproof Jewelry

This advertising and marketing time period is simply as problematic as waterproof jewelry and for lots of the identical causes.

Sweat is barely acidic and sometimes comprises salts, which might injury metallic jewelry, together with inflicting pitting and elevated tarnish. Sweat additionally comprises a myriad of different substances which might trigger injury or just depart a residue in your jewelry which can want cleansing. Sweat may additionally injury or discolour some gems, particularly pearls.

As well as, some folks’s sweat comprises a combination of chemical compounds that merely do not play properly with some metals (silver particularly). If you happen to’re one in all these folks, you could watch out concerning the metals you select to put on.

There are platings and coatings (together with PVD, as above, and rhodium plating on silver or white gold) which can present resistance to sweat, however many of those will ultimately put on by way of and want restore or substitute, which can be costly or problematic.

The Backside Line

Given you will wish to clear your jewelry anyway if it has been caked in residue from sweat, then there does not appear to be loads of level in searching for ‘sweatproof’ jewelry. It is one other advertising and marketing time period to be cautious of and to look into once you see it.

My recommendation is to take your jewelry off if you already know you are going to be sweating loads (throughout train as an illustration, and particularly when you train usually). Additionally you should definitely give your jewelry a clear with a mild cleaning soap and a few water when you’ve been sweating on it. Try our article about learn how to rapidly clear jewelry.

Hypoallergenic Jewelry

Do you know that ‘hypoallergenic’ is only a advertising and marketing time period which was coined within the Nineteen Fifties? There is no such thing as a regulatory foundation to be used of it in Australia, america or elsewhere. In idea it is meant to point a decrease threat from allergic reactions to a specific product, however no one ensures that that is how the time period is used. In actual fact analysis signifies that many merchandise which declare to be hypoallergenic really include identified allergens.

Using the time period ‘hypoallergenic’ in jewelry advertising and marketing can be steadily deceptive and you have to be cautious once you come throughout it. It’s usually based mostly on misunderstandings or lack of analysis.

Metallic allergy symptoms are a type of contact dermatitis. You may be capable to put on a specific metallic for years earlier than immediately growing a sensitivity to it and getting rashes in your pores and skin once you put on it. When you develop a sensitivity, it could actually’t be cured.

Nickel

In relation to allergy symptoms, not all metals are created equal. The worst offender by far on the subject of jewelry is nickel. It is estimated that 17% of girls and three% of males are allergic to this metallic.

Some folks assume they’re allergic to a treasured metallic like gold or silver, however in actuality they’re allergic to nickel which can be alloyed with treasured metals to make them tougher or (within the case of white gold) to vary the color. Any accountable jewelry maker ought to guarantee their treasured metals are nickel free (at Simone Walsh Jewelry we actually do).

Additionally when you see ‘nickel silver’ jewelry on the market, remember that that is really only a sort of nickel and it comprises no silver in any respect. My recommendation: don’t buy it.

You also needs to remember that stainless-steel usually comprises nickel. It’s much less prone to leach into your pores and skin from this metallic, however it could actually nonetheless trigger issues. At all times you should definitely ask the vendor if their stainless-steel jewelry comprises nickel if they do not make this clear.

Given how widespread nickel allergy symptoms are and that you just can’t be cured when you’re delicate to it, the most effective recommendation is to keep away from nickel as a lot as you presumably can, particularly on the subject of jewelry which is worn towards your pores and skin.

Different metals

Heavy metals together with titanium, palladium and platinum are identified to trigger allergic reactions for some folks, but I usually see titanium and platinum jewelry marketed as being ‘hypoallergenic’. Whereas reactions might not be overly widespread, they actually do exist.

Copper allergy symptoms are uncommon however not non-existent and copper makes up a small quantity of sterling silver. Though there is not a lot analysis on it, it seems that a really small variety of individuals are allergic to gold (though given how many individuals put on gold for lengthy intervals of time, it is clearly very uncommon).

(Studying this on an internet site that is not simonewalsh.com? Bear in mind that the content material has been stolen, infringing the copyright of a small enterprise. ABN: 65108844126)

The Backside Line

If you happen to’ve developed a sensitivity to a kind of metallic, then the one factor you are able to do is to get clear on precisely which metallic is inflicting the issue and keep away from carrying it, even whether it is coated, plated or alloyed with one thing else. A dermatologist or allergist will help you pin this down.

Particularly it is best to at all times verify that jewelry you are seeking to purchase is nickel free as everybody needs to be avoiding carrying nickel as a lot as potential. Our gold and silver jewelry is all free from nickel.

If you happen to see jewelry being advertising and marketing as ‘hypoallergenic’ and allergens are a priority to you, at all times take the time to look into the premise on which the jewelry vendor is making this declare and do a little analysis. You also needs to be clear on the kind of metallic getting used of their merchandise (a jewelry vendor not making this clear up entrance needs to be a significant purple flag generally).

Tarnish Free Jewelry

Most metals might tarnish in the correct circumstances, however the primary offender on the subject of treasured metals utilized in jewelry is silver.

Silver Tarnish

Sterling silver comprises small quantities of copper and with publicity to moisture and a few chemical compounds it is going to flip black or brown. The excellent news is that it is easy to wash silver jewelry, notably when you carry on prime of it.

The most typical manufacturing method to make silver tarnish resistant is to plate it with rhodium, which is a vivid white metallic. Generally pure silver is utilized in plating as a substitute. These platings will typically stop tarnish, however solely till they put on by way of, as plating at all times does. If this occurs you will must get the plating changed, which can be costly.

Be taught extra about learn how to stop and clear tarnish from silver jewelry.

PVD Coating

As outlined within the waterproof jewelry part above, there’s PVD coating (bodily vapour deposition) which can even make jewelry tarnish resistant and is prone to last more than plating. However, whereas it’s sturdy, it could actually put on by way of and will probably be troublesome to restore or exchange.

It additionally will increase value and solely a restricted variety of designs may have it, with a lot of them not being made from treasured metallic.

The Backside Line

If you’d like jewelry that typically will not tarnish, then it is price investing in strong gold jewelry (14k and up) or going for platinum, stainless-steel or titanium. Notice that white gold is often additionally rhodium plated to make it a very white color, so it is going to have the identical drawback with carrying by way of and needing restore.

If you happen to’re seeing silver jewelry being marketed as tarnish free, as soon as once more you could look into on what foundation this declare is being made. Additionally think about the professionals and cons of coatings or metals which can be much less vulnerable to tarnish. And be sure you’re throughout what tarnish is and learn how to keep away from it and clear it.

Moral & Sustainable Jewelry

I am more and more seeing jewelry manufacturers promoting that they are sustainable, moral and environmentally pleasant. A variety of them are clearly making real efforts in these areas, which is nice.

I can – hand on coronary heart – say that at Simone Walsh Jewelry we do our best to be an moral, sustainable and eco-friendly jewelry enterprise. We dedicate fairly a little bit of time and vitality to doing this and bettering the place we are able to. Be taught extra about our moral & eco-friendly jewelry.

Nevertheless, for numerous companies I’ve seen making these claims, there actually is not a lot (if any) proof to again them up. It appears loads like these phrases are getting used purely for advertising and marketing worth.

Some manufacturers haven’t any believable again story, no clarification of how their items are made or sourced, no proof of being cautious with packaging selections or different supplies used of their enterprise, no details about the place they’re based mostly, and so on.. They merely state that they’re sustainable, moral and/or eco-friendly and hope that their prospects simply naively consider it is true.

The Backside Line

If environmental points, sustainability and ethics are vital to you (and I hope they’re), then do your analysis. Greenwashing is totally a factor.

Does the enterprise offer you their again story? Does it sound real or prefer it’s simply advertising and marketing fluff? Do they clarify what they do to be extra moral and sustainable of their enterprise? Is it believable? Are you clear on the supplies they’re utilizing? Or how they make or supply their items?

Spending a little bit little bit of time getting a intestine feeling for a model earlier than spending your cash with them could make a giant distinction.

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I hope this text goes some solution to dispelling some jewelry myths and serving to you keep away from being conned by deceptive advertising and marketing. For extra useful hints when looking for jewelry, take a look at these useful articles:

Completely satisfied jewelry procuring!