Material & Care
Our Materials & Care Guide
Every ELESTAL piece is made to be worn — and made to be understood. This guide explains the metals, finishes, and stones behind our jewelry, why we choose them, and how to keep them looking their best, so there are never any surprises about what you're wearing.
Metals & Finishes
14K Gold Plated BrassÂ
Our warm-gold pieces start with a solid brass base, then receive a layer of real 14K gold applied through electroplating. The brass gives each piece its satisfying weight and structure; the 14K gold gives it a rich, lasting glow. It's the look of gold at a price made for everyday wear — and with a little care, that shine stays beautiful for a long time. As with all plated jewelry, the gold layer can soften gradually with years of heavy wear.
Gold-Tone Finishes
Some of our designs achieve their golden color through a specialty color finish rather than gold plating. "Gold-Tone" describes the color of the piece, and it's how we bring a warm, golden look to more styles and price points — finished to the same quality standard as the rest of the collection. (Gold-Tone pieces are finished for color and are not gold-plated.)
Silver-Tone Brass
A solid brass base with a bright, polished silver-color finish. "Silver-Tone" describes the cool, silvery look of the piece — all the shine of silver, without the price of sterling. (These pieces are not made of silver.)
Zinc Alloy
A durable, lightweight cast metal we use for bolder statement pieces and chunkier chain links, where a brass casting isn't practical. It holds intricate, sculptural shapes beautifully and is finished in a matching gold or silver tone so it blends seamlessly into the design.
Stainless Steel
Made from durable 304 stainless steel — it resists tarnish, water, and daily wear, making it perfect for the pieces you never want to take off.
14K Gold PVD Stainless Steel
The best of both worlds: a stainless steel core finished with a 14K gold layer using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition). This bonding process creates an exceptionally hard, long-wearing gold surface that resists fading far better than standard plating — built for everyday, all-day wear.
Responsibly Made
We work closely with GRS-certified (Global Recycled Standard) manufacturing partners, so the metals at the heart of our jewelry — including brass, stainless steel, and gold — are made from 100% traceable recycled material.
Stones
Our designs combine natural semi-precious stones and created stones — each one clearly described, so you always know exactly what you're wearing.
Cubic Zirconia
A brilliant, diamond-like stone loved for its clarity and sparkle. We use cubic zirconia in clear, red, blue, and green to bring color and shine to our designs. (Cubic zirconia is not a diamond.)
Created & Glass Stones
Some of our colored stones are made rather than mined, which gives them rich, consistent color and a flawless finish — including synthetic malachite, which recreates the deep green banding of natural malachite, and faceted glass stones in vivid colors. (These are created and glass stones, not natural gemstones.)
Natural Semi-Precious Stones
We use genuine, untreated semi-precious stones — turquoise, lapis lazuli, tiger eye, and agate — never dyed or filled, chosen for their depth of color and natural character. Because each one is natural, no two are exactly alike, and subtle variation in color and pattern is part of their beauty.
Freshwater Cultured Pearl
Genuine cultured pearls grown in freshwater mussels, each one hand-selected and naturally one-of-a-kind in its size, shape, and soft luster. Because real pearls are delicate, they ask for a little extra care.
Care & Storage
The best care is prevention. A few small habits keep your pieces looking new: put jewelry on last — after lotion, perfume, and hairspray — and take it off first at night; remove it before showering, swimming, exercising, or washing your hands; and wipe it with a soft, dry cloth after wearing to lift the skin oils that dull a finish.
Always avoid: ultrasonic and steam cleaners, abrasive cloths or toothpaste, and harsh chemicals like bleach — all of which can damage plating and stones.
The better you store your pieces, the longer they last. Keep each one in its original box or pouch, or in an airtight jewelry case; store pieces separately to avoid scratching and tangling; and keep them away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight.
Care by Material
Gold-Plated, Silver-Tone & Gold-Tone Finishes
These pieces carry a thin surface layer, and the key to making it last is keeping it away from water, sweat, perfume, and lotion. Wipe gently along the piece with a soft, dry cloth after wearing; avoid soaps, chemical cleaners, and polishing compounds, which wear the finish down.
Stainless Steel & PVD
Our most low-maintenance pieces — they stand up well to water and everyday wear. Wipe clean with a soft cloth; for a deeper clean, use mild soapy water with a soft cloth, then dry.
Stones (Cubic Zirconia, Created, Natural & Glass)
Treat stone-set pieces gently. Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth, taking care around the settings where dirt can collect. Natural stones are porous, so don't soak them, and because some can fade in prolonged sunlight, store them in a pouch or box when you're not wearing them.
Pearls
Pearls are the most delicate of all. Wearing them often actually helps keep their luster — pearls can crack if stored somewhere too dry. Keep them away from water, perfume, and cosmetics, clean them only with a soft, dry cloth, and never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
Materials & Safety
Every piece is wipe-tested before it ships to confirm it does not release nickel or chromium — making our jewelry gentle on skin and a comfortable choice for sensitive wearers. All ELESTAL jewelry is also independently tested to meet US safety standards for lead and cadmium content.
