Wear & Care Guide

Jewelry is designed to be worn — but not all jewelry is designed to be worn the same way.

Material, setting, and construction influence longevity. At Sphinx & Emeralds, we classify our pieces by wear type to help guide expectations.

This classification reflects material properties and structural design — never quality.

Daily Wear

Designed for consistent wear with mindful care.

Typically includes:

Solid gold pieces
Select sterling silver styles
Durable stone settings

While suitable for regular wear, we still recommend removing fine jewelry before swimming, showering, exercising, or exposure to chemicals.

Even the strongest materials benefit from intentional care.

Occasional Wear

Designed for styling moments and thoughtful use.

Often includes:

Gold-plated silver
Statement designs
Elevated stone settings

Gold plating will naturally soften over time, particularly with moisture, friction, or repeated exposure to lotions and perfumes. This gradual change is a characteristic of plated jewelry, not a defect.

Store separately and avoid water exposure to extend longevity.

High Care

Delicate by design.

Includes:

Thin bands
Pavé settings
Elevated prong settings
Softer natural stones
Plated fine pieces

These pieces require intentional wear and secure storage. Impact, pressure, and constant friction may compromise structural integrity over time.

Delicacy is part of their beauty.

Material Care

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver may naturally oxidize over time. This is a surface reaction, not damage.

Use the provided microfiber polishing cloth to gently restore shine. Store in a dry environment when not in use.

Gold-Plated Silver

Gold plating is a surface layer of gold applied over sterling silver.

Over time, especially with daily wear, exposure to water, sweat, and friction, plating will gradually fade. This is expected and not covered under manufacturing warranty.

To extend the life of plated jewelry:

Remove before showering or swimming
Avoid contact with lotions, oils, and perfume
Store separately to reduce abrasion

Solid Gold

Solid gold does not fade in the way plated metals do and is suitable for long-term wear.

However, gold is a precious metal and can scratch with friction or impact. Surface marks are part of normal wear and can be professionally polished if desired.