Aquamarine Charm Necklace

What is Gold Vermeil?

Gold Vermeil (pronounced ver-may), is a very specific type of premium gold finish comprising a very thick layer of gold over high quality Sterling Silver. ‘Vermeil’ is a legally regulated term that refers to jewelry with a Sterling Silver base metal and a layer of gold plating that is at least 2.5 microns thick.

How is Lassanai 18K Gold Vermeil superior to other brands?

Most brands use 2.5 micron Vermeil thickness, but ours is 4 microns which is the best quality available. We use an 18 karat gold for its warm golden color and durability. The 18K gold combined with the thick Vermeil finish makes our jewelry far more durable and resistant to tarnishing.

Why Vermeil?

With good quality Vermeil comes the opportunity to wear stunning gold pieces, at a fraction of what a solid 18K gold piece would cost. In the event that the Vermeil wears off which can happen over time, it’s
simply a matter of refinishing the piece which we can arrange for you here in NYC.

Is Vermeil the same as gold plated jewelry?

Gold Vermeil is NOT the same as gold plated jewelry. The main differences between Gold Vermeil and gold plated jewelry are the thickness of the gold plating and the base metal used. Gold plated jewelry has plating at least 0.5 microns thick (5x less than Gold Vermeil). Ours is 16 x thicker than most gold plating. Gold plating also does not require a Sterling Silver base; it usually uses inexpensive materials, such as copper or brass as its core metal. Since the layer of gold is so thin, the gold plating tends to wear off very quickly, which can cause the jewelry to degrade at a faster speed.

Is Vermeil real gold?

Yes - Gold Vermeil is real gold! The main difference between Gold Vermeil and solid gold is that vermeil uses a Sterling Silver
base metal whereas the latter, as the name suggests, is made of just that…gold! After solid gold, Gold Vermeil is the highest quality type of gold tone jewelry that you can buy. It is a great option for those who are seeking an affordable and high quality alternative to solid gold jewelry.

The entire production of your piece is performed sustainably and by
hand, using traditional artisan techniques that have been passed down for centuries. Our stones are individually hand-selected for each design, as uncut natural stones cannot be sourced in calibrated (same size) sizes. This also means that common jewelry manufacturing processes like ‘casting’ are not possible, so each piece is made entirely from scratch to honor the selected stone/s. In the absence of laser engraving, each piece (unless it’s too small), is individually hand-stamped with our tiny palm tree insignia.

Once completed, jewels are shipped to our headquarters in NYC, where any finishing, resized and our 18K gold vermeil finish is undertaken by a second team of talented artisans in the famed Diamond District.

Lassanai jewelry is designed to be worn as much or as little as you like. Most pieces require little care - just wear and enjoy...

There are, nevertheless, a few things to keep in mind to keep your jewels in optimum condition. For instance, we do suggest removing jewelry when 'getting your hands dirty.'

Contact or sweaty sports... messy cooking... lifting heavy objects... swimming... using cleaning products... gardening... all put your jewelry at risk of damage, loss and/ or excessive tarnishing.

When the jewelry is not being worn, it should be kept in a safe, dry environment such as a jewelry box or pouch. Ensure that each piece does not rub against other items so as to prevent scratches to the metal. If these steps are followed, you will enjoy wearing your beautiful Lassanai piece forever.

GEMSTONES

Gemstones are tough by nature, but they are by no means indestructible. To maintain the beauty and sparkle of your gems, it's best to treat them with care. 

Most stones respond well to mild detergent, warm water, and a gentle scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush - but avoid scratching the stone too hard. Rinse the stone with water and dry with a soft cloth. Opt for a rinsing bowl instead of a basin or sink - or risk losing your jewels down the plug hole. Gemstones may smash or dislodge when accidentally dropped, and excessive rigorous activity could also dislodge a stone from its setting. While Lassanai honors any production-related issues, we take no responsibility for items that have been dropped or mishandled.

SILVER

Silver tarnishes rather quickly when it comes into contact with oxygen or sulfur. The best way to minimize tarnish? Wear your silver jewelry often! The oils in your skin naturally help prevent tarnish. 

When storing your silver jewelry, use an airtight plastic bag (such as Ziploc), or a an anti-tarnish cloth bag. Over time, the bright silver finish appearance of a new piece, may evolve to a deeper silver patina. This is perfectly normal. In the case of tarnish or excessive blackening, there are a few ways to go. Sometimes a jewelry polishing cloth does the trick. One popular home remedy is to coat the silver in a paste made with baking soda and water. Let the paste work on the silver for no more than a few hours. Then gently brush (with a soft toothbrush), rinse, and dry your piece for renewed luster. Otherwise, your local jeweler can clean your piece inexpensively. 

To maintain and extend the life of your Lassanai jewelry, avoid contact with any form of moisture, along with any cleaning chemicals, beauty products, hair sprays and perfumes. Please note that when some chemicals, such as bleach, come in contact with the silver or stones, it can result in permanent and irreversible damage. 

18K GOLD VERMEIL 

If you have purchased a piece with our 18K gold vermeil finish, please note that over time with wear, the gold can tarnish or soften in color. This is perfectly normal. To clean away oils and tarnish, very gently wipe with a polishing cloth, but DO NOT do this vigorously as this may wear the gold finish away further. You must be careful not to get your vermeil wet, and never use abrasive cleansers. When not in use, store in dry pouch or box to prevent tarnish, and ensure it's kept separate from other jewels so no scratches occur.

GOLD

Depending on your skin chemistry, solid gold can tarnish a little - particularly on earrings and the inside part of a ring that comes into contact with skin. The good news is that gold tarnish is an easy fix.

Mix a small squirt of mild dish detergent with warm water in a bowl. Submerge the gold jewelry and let it sit for several minutes. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles (ideally a baby toothbrush), gently scrub the gold jewelry. Remove item from soapy water, rinse and dry completely using a soft polishing cloth. 

You can also take any of your Lassanai jewels to a reputable jeweler for a professional (inexpensive) clean that will bring your piece back to brand new. A small ultra sonic cleaner at home can be a quick, easy, and modestly priced way to keep your jewelry in as-new sparkly condition.