At LanLivia, we believe beautiful jewellery begins with materials chosen to last. From our 2-micron 18K gold plating to 3-micron gold vermeil, sterling silver and solid gold, each material is selected with attention to quality, wearability and finish.
Our jewellery is nickel-free and lead-free. Because each material behaves differently over time, this guide explains exactly what you can expect — and how to care for your jewellery to keep it looking its best.
18K Gold-Plated Brass
Many LanLivia designs are crafted in brass and finished with a substantial 2-micron layer of real 18K gold.
Technical specifications:
- Base metal: Brass
- Gold: Real 18K gold
- Gold plating thickness: 2 microns (2 μm)
- Nickel-free
- Lead-free
- Water-resistant
- Tarnish-resistant
Why 2-Micron Gold Plating?
Not all gold plating is the same. The thickness of the gold layer plays an important role in how well a plated piece withstands everyday wear.
Our gold-plated brass jewellery uses 2 microns of real 18K gold, providing a more substantial finish than thin or flash plating and helping the jewellery retain its colour and appearance for longer.
As with all plated jewellery, the finish is not permanent. Its longevity depends on frequency of wear, friction, skin chemistry and exposure to moisture, cosmetics and chemicals. Rings and other high-contact pieces may naturally show wear sooner than earrings and necklaces.
Water & Tarnishing
Our 18K gold-plated jewellery is water-resistant, but not waterproof. Occasional contact with water should not immediately damage the finish, but frequent or prolonged exposure can gradually shorten the life of the plating.
Real 18K gold is highly resistant to tarnishing. However, because this is a plated finish, friction and everyday wear can eventually make the gold layer lighter and expose the underlying metal.
For the longest possible wear, remove gold-plated jewellery before showering, swimming, exercising or entering a sauna, and avoid prolonged contact with seawater, chlorine, perfume and household chemicals.
18K Gold Vermeil
Our gold vermeil jewellery pairs precious sterling silver with a particularly substantial layer of real gold.
LanLivia vermeil is crafted with a 925 sterling silver base and 3 microns of real 18K gold — exceeding the commonly used 2.5-micron thickness standard for vermeil.
Technical specifications:
- Base metal: 925 sterling silver
- Silver purity: 92.5%
- Gold: Real 18K gold
- Gold plating thickness: 3 microns (3 μm)
- Nickel-free
- Lead-free
- Water-resistant
- Tarnish-resistant
What Makes Gold Vermeil Different?
The difference lies in both the base metal and the thickness of the gold.
Our standard gold-plated jewellery uses brass with 2 microns of 18K gold, while our gold vermeil uses 925 sterling silver with 3 microns of 18K gold.
The precious-metal base and thicker gold layer give vermeil a more substantial finish and excellent durability, making it an appealing choice for customers who prefer sterling silver beneath their gold jewellery.
Water & Tarnishing
Gold vermeil is water-resistant, but not waterproof. Occasional water contact should not immediately affect the finish, but frequent exposure to water, perspiration, chlorine, seawater and chemicals can gradually wear the gold surface.
Over time, particularly in areas exposed to frequent friction, the gold layer may become lighter and the sterling silver underneath may eventually become visible. Sterling silver can naturally oxidise and darken; this is a characteristic of silver rather than a defect.
Careful wear and storage will considerably extend the life of the gold finish.
925 Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is a precious-metal alloy composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals added for strength and durability.
LanLivia sterling silver pieces are stamped with the 925 mark where the construction of the piece allows.
Technical specifications:
- Silver purity: 92.5%
- 925 sterling silver
- Nickel-free
- Lead-free
Sterling silver can naturally oxidise when exposed to air, humidity, perspiration and certain chemicals. This may cause the surface to darken over time. Oxidation is a natural property of silver and does not indicate poor quality.
Some LanLivia sterling silver jewellery features an additional plated finish. Please refer to the individual product description for the exact material and finish.
14K Gold-Filled
Gold-filled jewellery differs significantly from conventional gold plating.
A substantial layer of 14K real gold is mechanically bonded to a base metal, typically jeweller’s brass, using heat and pressure. In 14/20 gold-filled jewellery, gold accounts for at least 1/20, or 5%, of the total metal weight.
Technical specifications:
- Gold: 14K real gold
- Gold content: At least 5% of total metal weight for 14/20 gold-filled
- Core: Typically jeweller’s brass
- Construction: Mechanically bonded rather than conventional electroplating
- Highly water-resistant
- Highly tarnish-resistant
Because its gold layer is substantially heavier than conventional plating, gold-filled jewellery generally withstands frequent wear very well.
Although highly resistant to water and tarnishing, we still recommend limiting exposure to chlorine, seawater and harsh chemicals to preserve the finish for as long as possible.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is valued for its strength, durability and resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
It is particularly suitable for jewellery designed for frequent wear and requires relatively little maintenance compared with more delicate materials.
Technical specifications:
- Durable and corrosion-resistant
- Water-resistant
- Tarnish-resistant
Stainless steel offers excellent everyday durability, but we avoid describing any jewellery material or decorative finish as completely indestructible. Scratching, chemicals and prolonged exposure to harsh environments can still affect its appearance over time.
Vacuum-Plated Jewellery
Selected LanLivia pieces use vacuum plating, a process in which a decorative metal coating is deposited onto the jewellery under controlled vacuum conditions.
This process creates a durable, even surface and can provide greater resistance to colour fading and everyday wear than conventional thin decorative plating.
Vacuum-plated jewellery is generally highly water- and tarnish-resistant. However, as with any decorative surface finish, its longevity depends on wear, friction and exposure to chemicals.
Please refer to the individual product description for the exact base metal and finish of each piece.
18K Solid Gold
18K solid gold contains 75% pure gold, with the remaining 25% consisting of other metals added to provide strength and influence the final colour.
Technical specifications:
- Gold purity: 18K / 750
- Pure gold content: 75%
- Solid gold alloy
- No plated base metal unless otherwise specified
- Highly water-resistant
- Highly tarnish-resistant
Unlike gold-plated jewellery, solid gold does not rely on a thin gold surface over another base metal, so there is no plating layer to wear away.
Even solid gold should be protected from harsh chemicals and abrasive surfaces to maintain its polish and appearance.
Pearls
LanLivia works with both genuine freshwater pearls and synthetic pearls, depending on the design. The exact pearl type is always stated in the individual product description.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls are natural organic gems. Their individual shapes, textures, tones and surface characteristics may vary slightly, making each pearl unique.
Pearls are more delicate than most metals and should be kept away from perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, chlorine and household chemicals.
Avoid soaking pearl jewellery in water. After wearing, gently wipe the pearls with a soft cloth before storing them.
Synthetic Pearls
Selected designs use high-quality synthetic pearls where their uniformity, colour or design characteristics better suit the piece.
Synthetic pearls should still be treated carefully. Avoid prolonged water exposure, perfume, cosmetics and abrasive cleaning, which can affect their surface coating.
The individual product page will always specify whether a LanLivia piece uses genuine freshwater or synthetic pearls.
Natural Gemstones & Moissanite
LanLivia jewellery may feature natural gemstones, mother of pearl, cubic zirconia or moissanite. The exact stone or material is clearly identified on each product page.
Natural gemstones vary in hardness, porosity, colour and inclusions. These natural variations are part of their individual character rather than imperfections.
Some gemstones are more sensitive to water, heat and chemicals than others. To preserve their appearance, avoid prolonged water exposure, perfume, household chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning unless the cleaning method is known to be suitable for that particular stone.
Moissanite is a highly durable jewellery stone with excellent brilliance and resistance to everyday wear. However, the metal setting and any plated finish should still be cared for according to its individual material requirements.
Nickel-Free, Lead-Free & Sensitive Skin
LanLivia jewellery is nickel-free and lead-free.
This is particularly important to us when selecting materials intended for regular skin contact.
Our nickel- and lead-free jewellery is suitable for many customers with sensitive skin. However, individual allergies and sensitivities differ, so we intentionally avoid making an absolute “100% hypoallergenic” claim.
Customers with known metal sensitivities should always check the exact material composition listed on the individual product page before purchasing.
Jewellery Care
A little care makes a considerable difference to the lifespan of your jewellery.
To preserve your LanLivia pieces:
- Avoid direct contact with perfume, hairspray, lotions and household chemicals.
- Remove plated jewellery before showering, swimming, exercising or entering a sauna.
- Avoid prolonged contact with seawater and chlorine.
- Put jewellery on after applying perfume, cosmetics and skincare.
- After wearing, gently wipe jewellery with a clean, soft, dry cloth.
- Store pieces separately to minimise scratching and friction.
- Keep jewellery in a dry jewellery box or pouch rather than a humid bathroom.
- Treat pearls and natural gemstones with additional care.
A Note on Plated Jewellery
Plated jewellery is designed to be worn and enjoyed, but no plated finish is permanent.
The longevity of a plated surface depends on the thickness of the plating, the type of jewellery, frequency of wear, friction, individual skin chemistry, environmental conditions and care.
LanLivia uses 2-micron real 18K gold plating on our gold-plated brass jewellery and 3-micron real 18K gold plating on our gold vermeil jewellery, providing a substantial finish designed for greater durability.
Natural changes to a plated surface over time are part of normal wear and should not be confused with tarnishing of solid gold.
For Retail & Wholesale Partners
For retailers requiring technical specifications, our principal gold finishes are:
18K Gold-Plated Brass
Brass base · Real 18K gold · 2 μm gold plating · Nickel-free · Lead-free · Water-resistant · Tarnish-resistant
18K Gold Vermeil
925 sterling silver base · Real 18K gold · 3 μm gold plating · Nickel-free · Lead-free · Water-resistant · Tarnish-resistant
For material specifications relating to a particular product, please contact info@lanlivia.com with the product name or SKU.