Materials and care
When you buy a piece of jewelry from Donna Dorée, you receive an item of high-quality precious metals that will last for years with the potential for it to be cherished across multiple generations. A sustainable trend in jewelry.
Sterling silver 925
The basis of the jewelry is 925 (sterling) silver. Sterling silver, or 925 silver, is also called first grade silver because of its high purity (a total of 92.5% silver mixed with 7.5% other material). Pure silver is inherently too soft to make jewelry, so small quantities of other metals are incorporated to make it stronger (= alloy).
Silver is a material that comes from the earth, so it is a natural product. Relatively rare and therefore very expensive. The earth’s crust is made up of very small particles, elements (or atoms). One of those elements is silver (Ag). Isn't it magical that Mother Earth provides her own jewelry?
“You know the world is a magical place when mother earth grows her own jewelry.”
Silver can be sourced in various ways. It can be obtained through direct mining of silver ore, where the primary objective is to extract silver. However, silver is often acquired as a by-product during the mining of other metals such as gold, copper, lead, and zinc. Additionally, silver can be obtained through recycling processes
Rhodium plating for extra protection
Silver jewelry can discolor (oxidize) which is a natural process with silver. To ensure prolonged protection against discoloration and oxidation, our skilled goldsmiths employ an additional layer of rhodium plating on our silver jewelry.
Rhodium, a resilient and silvery white metal, is carefully applied over the silver surface during the plating process. By doing so, your jewelry gains increased durability, minimizing the likelihood of damage. Moreover, rhodium-plated silver is more resistant to external factors, making it less prone to oxidation. With proper care, your jewelry retains its brilliance and avoids the dulling or blackening that often occurs over time. This enables you to cherish your jewelry for an extended period, enjoying its beauty for years to come!
14 karat U gold plating (similar to PVD gold plating)
Do you like gold a little more than silver or does it suit your skin tone better? Then choose the 14 carat U-gold plated jewelry. All 'gold' jewelry has a layer of U-gold plating over the 925 sterling silver. U-gold plating is a process of applying 14kt gold to another metal and binding them together. The gold evaporates in a vacuum at extreme temperatures and then condenses molecule by molecule around the other metal.
Through extensive research, I have come to the conclusion that U-Gold plating is the more desirable option, due to its durability and longer life it offers. Because gold U-gold plating is thicker than standard gold plating (flash plating), it is resistant to corrosion and does not discolor within a short time. Obviously a U-gold plating is slightly more expensive than a flash plating, but it will last longer and be well worth it.
Where does gold come from?
Gold, symbolized as Au on the periodic table, has an extraordinary origin. While it is older than the Earth itself, it was not formed on our planet. Instead, gold is the product of fusion reactions that occur within stars. To generate gold, a star must possess a mass at least eight times that of our sun. This immense mass provides the necessary energy for the creation of physical gold.
When massive stars reach the end of their life cycles, they explode in spectacular supernova events. These explosive phenomena serve as the catalyst for the formation of heavy metals, including gold. During a supernova, dust particles containing small amounts of gold are ejected into space. Over time, these dispersed gold particles coalesce into clumps, eventually forming celestial bodies such as planets. All the gold present on Earth today was brought here through a series of cosmic events involving the explosions of massive stars. As these quantities of gold, along with other cosmic dust particles, gathered in our solar system, they eventually fell to Earth. Isn’t it awe-inspiring to consider that by wearing a piece of gold jewelry, you are carrying a small fragment of our vast universe?
“You are made of stardust. Shining is your natural state.”
Similar to silver, gold is a precious metal that possesses inherent softness. Once extracted from the earth, gold undergoes a refining process to separate it from the surrounding elements. Subsequently, the refined gold is alloyed, meaning it is mixed with other materials to increase its hardness and durability.
The purity of gold is measured in karats. A higher karat value signifies a greater gold content. In the Netherlands, the most commonly used gold karats are 14 karat, 18 karat, and 22 karat. These correspond to gold compositions of 58.3%, 75%, and 91.7% respectively. The remaining percentages (41.7%, 25%, and 8.3%) consist of different metals that are blended with the gold to enhance its strength.
Waarborg Holland (Guarantee Holland)
In compliance with Dutch regulations, it is mandated that gold, silver, and platinum undergo inspection in the Netherlands. The approval thresholds set by Dutch law require gold to be inspected from 1 gram, silver from 8 grams, and platinum from 0.5 grams. At Donna Dorée, all jewelry that fulfills the aforementioned criteria bears its own unique "Responsibility mark (VT) by name" associated with the person responsible for marketing the product. Additionally, these pieces display a "content mark" that has been officially approved by Waarborg Holland. These hallmarks are meticulously incorporated into the jewelry, often requiring the use of a magnifying glass to observe them due to their small size.
Caring for your precious jewelry
Ensure proper maintenance of your jewelry to keep it in pristine condition. Even precious metals are susceptible to external factors, and over time, silver jewelry may lose its luster due to oxidation caused by air, light, humidity, perfume, soap residue, or the acidity of your skin.
To prevent your silver or gold-plated jewelry from becoming dull or black, follow these guidelines:
- Wear your jewelry regularly. Even jewelry that is left unworn can lose its shine or become discolored.
- Put on your jewelry last, after applying perfume, makeup, and other beauty products.
- Avoid sleeping with silver jewelry to prevent unnecessary contact with the acidity of your skin and minimize the risk of damage or deformation.
- Remove your jewelry before showering, swimming, or exercising. Exposure to shampoo, soap, salt, and chlorine can adversely affect your jewelry.
- Take off your jewelry when engaging in heavy work or cleaning tasks as chemicals can cause damage.
- When not wearing your jewelry for an extended period, store it properly in a jewelry drawer or cotton/silk jewelry pouch, but certainly in a dark and dry place where a little oxygen can reach it.
Cleaning your jewelry:
Use the provided satin polishing cloth (you will not receive this with the vintage and pre-loved jewelry) to gently polish away dirt and restore the shine of your jewelry.
If your jewelry is heavily soiled, slightly dampen the tip of the polishing cloth and rub away the dirt. Follow up by polishing with the dry part.
Note: This cloth is not meant for deeply tarnished silver but can be used on various smooth surfaces, including metal, glass, and glasses, to remove dirt.
If your jewelry still requires cleaning, you can use a mild soap solution by mixing green or any other gentle soap with warm water. Brush the jewelry softly with a toothbrush, then rinse with lukewarm water. Dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Avoid using cleaning fluid as it may damage the rhodium plating or gold plating protection.
Please note that incorrect use or cleaning techniques can cause the rhodium plating or gold plating to wear out over time.
If you are not satisfied with the results or have further inquiries, please contact service@donnadoree.com.
