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Malachite jewelry is one of those materials that looks like pure luxury, lush green, high-impact, impossible to ignore, but it also comes with very real care rules. I’m a jewelry artist who works with genuine crushed malachite chips and inlay remnants, arranging them into strict geometric forms, then sealing them under a clear, glass-like resin lens. That resin layer changes what “safe cleaning” looks like compared to traditional malachite beads or cabochons, but it doesn’t make the piece indestructible, especially when we factor in metal types like gold-plated brass, gold-filled chain, and sterling silver. In this guide I’ll show you...

Understanding the difference between gold filled, gold plated, and solid gold jewelry can save you money and frustration — and help you make smarter purchases that last. While all three offer the beauty of gold, they vary greatly in gold content, durability, wearability, and value. This guide breaks down how each material is made, how long it lasts, how it holds up to everyday wear, and which is right for your style and budget. — In simpler terms: we’ll help you know what you’re actually buying, not just what it looks like.

Tarnish gets treated like a quality issue, but it’s usually just chemistry doing its thing. Metals like sterling silver, copper, and brass naturally react with oxygen, sulfur compounds, moisture, skin oils, and even your lotion, which can create a dull or dark surface layer over time. That doesn’t mean your jewelry is “bad,” it means the metal is reactive in the real world. In this guide, I’ll translate the science into plain English, explain what “non-tarnish jewelry” really means, and share practical ways to store and clean your pieces so they stay bright longer.

As an artistic jewelry maker, I work with an unusual and beautiful mix of materials , crushed gemstones, Swarovski crystals, real flowers, and metal foils encased in a glass-like resin combined with 14k gold-filled, sterling silver, steel posts, and occasionally gold-plated brass frames. This rich variety means there’s no single “one-size-fits-all” cleaning method that applies to everything in your jewelry box. Over years of studio work, customer care, and real case experience, I’ve learned how different materials respond to cleaning, what to avoid, and how regular care can keep your pieces vibrant for years. In this guide, I’ll walk you...