Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is created by electroplating a thick (2.5 microns), even layer of 14k gold over a base of 925 sterling silver. The gold layer is significantly thicker than standard gold plating, giving vermeil its rich golden finish and a longer-lasting appearance when properly cared for.

While gold vermeil offers the look of solid gold at a more accessible price point, it is a coated metal and will naturally show signs of wear over time, particularly on rings and high-contact pieces. Exposure to water, chemicals, friction, and daily wear can cause the gold layer to fade, revealing the sterling silver beneath.

To help preserve its finish, we recommend removing gold vermeil jewellery before showering, swimming, exercising, applying lotions or perfumes, and during activities that may cause friction or impact. Gold vermeil is best suited to occasional or mindful wear rather than continuous, everyday use.

Learn more about gold vermeil here.

Our solid gold pieces are crafted in 9k and 14k gold, offering a soft, natural gold tone and lasting lustre. As solid gold, these pieces are water-safe and designed for long-term wear.

Our fine solid gold chains are intentionally delicate, designed for an elegant, lightweight feel. Due to their fine nature, they require mindful wear to avoid stretching, catching or accidental breakage — particularly during sleep, exercise, or when layered with heavier pieces.

While solid gold is durable, fine chains are not indestructible. Damage or chain breakage resulting from daily wear, accidental pulling, or general wear and tear is not covered under warranty. We recommend removing fine chains during high-impact activities and storing them flat when not in use to help preserve their shape and longevity.

Sterling silver is an alloy made from 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper, added for strength and durability. To enhance its brightness and help reduce scratching and tarnishing, our sterling silver pieces are finished with a layer of rhodium plating.

Over time, rhodium plating may naturally wear, particularly on high-contact pieces. When this occurs, the sterling silver beneath may require gentle polishing to restore its shine. Proper care and storage will help extend the life and appearance of your silver jewellery.

Rings sit in one of the highest-contact areas of the body and are naturally more prone to wear than other jewellery. The underside of the band and the face of signet styles experience frequent contact with everyday surfaces such as desks, door handles, and other objects.

Over time, this repeated friction can gradually wear down the gold layer — even with careful use. As our rings are crafted from 14k gold vermeil (a thick layer of gold over 925 sterling silver), fading on high-contact areas is a natural part of the piece’s lifespan. This type of wear is considered general wear and tear rather than a manufacturing fault.

For longevity, we recommend removing gold vermeil rings during activities that involve frequent hand contact or impact.

Stones are naturally delicate and can chip, crack, or scratch if impacted or handled without care. To help preserve their beauty, we recommend removing stone-set rings during activities that involve impact, pressure, or frequent hand contact.

For our moissanite or lab-grown diamond rings, we suggest having the stones checked annually to ensure the prongs remain secure. Over time, daily wear can cause settings to loosen, and regular checks can help prevent accidental stone loss.

Designed to sit lightly against the skin, our solid gold fine chains are intentionally refined and delicate in feel. Their fine construction gives them an effortless elegance, but also means they require mindful wear to help prevent stretching or accidental breakage.

While solid gold is a long-lasting metal, fine chains can be affected by everyday strain and chemical exposure. Chlorine — commonly found in swimming pools, spas, and household cleaning products — can weaken the metal over time, increasing the risk of damage to delicate links.

To care for your fine chain, we recommend removing it before swimming, exercising, cleaning, or during activities where it may be pulled or placed under pressure.

The most common cause of breakage in necklaces and bracelets is stretching over time. Solid gold and sterling silver are naturally malleable metals, chosen for their beauty and longevity, but this also means fine chains can slowly stretch through everyday movement, repeated pulling, or being accidentally caught.

A stretched chain is weaker than it looks, and if left unnoticed, it may eventually snap, sometimes without much warning.

How to check your chain: From time to time, we recommend checking the length of your chain. Lay it flat and measure it end to end (including the clasp and jump rings), then compare this to the original length listed on your order confirmation. Another sign of stress is the shape of the chain links, if they no longer appear round, the chain may have experienced stretching.

What to do if you notice stretching: If your chain shows signs of wear, it’s best to stop wearing it and arrange a repair as soon as possible. Repairing or replacing a chain early can help prevent breakage and reduce the risk of losing your piece entirely.

A note on chemicals: For solid gold chains in particular, we recommend avoiding chlorine exposure, commonly found in swimming pools, spas, and household cleaning products. Chlorine can weaken the metal over time, making fine chains more susceptible to damage.

Our advice: Remove fine chains before sleeping, exercising, swimming, or cleaning, and store them flat or hanging when not in use. A little mindfulness goes a long way in keeping your jewellery wearable for years to come.

Regular, gentle cleaning will help keep your jewellery looking its best. To clean at home, mix a small amount of mild liquid soap with warm (not hot) water in a bowl. Place your piece into the solution and allow it to soak for a few minutes.

Using a soft, lint-free cloth or a very soft bristle toothbrush, gently clean along the chain or around the piece, paying attention to any areas where residue may build up. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Allow your jewellery to air dry completely before wearing or storing.

For an easy, jewellery-safe option, our YCL Jewellery Cleaner is specially formulated to gently remove build-up while being suitable for everyday pieces. It’s ideal for maintaining the shine of solid gold, gold vermeil, and sterling silver when used as directed.

For additional care or advice, our in-store team is always happy to help.

Our tennis jewellery is designed to be worn with care. Due to its flexible construction and stone-set design, gentle handling is essential to help preserve its shape and setting.

We recommend avoiding any bending, twisting, or stretching, as this can compromise the integrity of the piece and its bezel settings. For longevity, remove your tennis jewellery before sleeping, exercising, or during activities that may place strain on the links.

When not being worn, lay your piece flat or gently coil it for storage, ensuring no sharp or 90-degree bends are present, as this can place stress on the setting and metal.

Please note that damage caused by bending, pulling, or stretching, including visible distortion or breakage of the bezel setting surrounding the stones, is considered general wear and tear and falls outside of our manufacturing warranty.

Permanent Jewellery Care: Our permanent jewellery is crafted in 9k and 14k solid yellow gold and designed to be worn every day as part of your routine.

Natural Stretching: Due to natural body movement and warmth, a small amount of stretching over time is expected. A stretch of up to approximately 1cm is considered normal. Any additional stretching is classified as general wear and tear.

Warranty: Our warranty covers breakages at the welded join only. Breakage along the chain itself is considered wear and tear and is not covered under warranty.

An acidic PH level in the body can be manifested through your skin, causing oxidisation and discoloration of your jewels over time. We recommend using a soft, cotton cloth to remove oils after each wear.

Chains: With everyday wear, our fine chains may stretch due to continuous pulling or being caught on something. 

Metal rubbing on metal: If you choose to layer your necklaces or pendants please note that the metal rubbing against metal may affect the wear of the piece.

Fine chains can occasionally form knots, particularly when worn loose, layered, or stored without support. While knots are common, pulling or tightening them can place unnecessary strain on the links and increase the risk of stretching or breakage.

If your chain becomes knotted, we recommend laying it flat on a smooth surface and gently working the knot loose using your fingers or a fine pin. Applying a small amount of baby oil or jewellery-safe oil can help reduce friction and make the knot easier to release. Once untangled, clean the chain gently to remove any residue.

To help prevent knots, fasten your chain before storing and lay it flat or hang it separately when not in use. Avoid placing fine chains loose in bags or pouches, where movement can cause tangling.

Sleeper hoops are designed with a fine hinge and post to allow for ease of wear. Over time, frequent opening and closing, or continuous wear, may cause the hoop to gradually lose tension.

To ensure a secure fit, gently lift the post upward before closing until the clasp clicks firmly into place. The closure should feel secure without requiring force. We recommend checking the tension of your sleepers regularly and adjusting as needed to maintain a snug, comfortable fit.

Butterfly backings secure the earring in place through friction against the post. With general wear, backings may naturally loosen over time.

To maintain a secure fit, we recommend gently tightening the butterfly backing to increase friction on the post. Regular checks will help ensure your studs remain comfortably and securely in place during wear.

We understand that jewellery is made to be worn and sometimes, with wear, repairs are needed. Our repair service is designed to assist with basic chain breakages so your piece can be enjoyed again.

What we can repair:

• Cable chain breakages between links
• Bar chains
• Charm Bar chains
• Simple chain repairs that require the addition or replacement of a jump ring
  

Please note that we’re unable to repair complex damage, heavily stretched chains, or breakages outside of these categories.

Turnaround & costs:

• Repairs are completed within 14 days from the time we receive your piece
• A $50 repair fee applies, which includes return shipping to you
• Of this, $20 covers shipping (non-refundable)
• If a piece is assessed and found to be irreparable, the $30 repair fee will be refunded, with the $20 shipping fee retained

Warranty repairs:

If your repair is covered under our manufacturing warranty, we’ll always offer this at no cost.

All repair requests are assessed by our team once received. Approval is based on whether the breakage falls within the scope of repairs we’re able to offer. If we require any additional information before proceeding, we’ll be in touch via email to guide you through the next steps.

Request a repair here.

To submit a warranty claim, please click here.

YCL offers a 6-month manufacturing warranty on all jewellery. All YCL pieces undergo thorough quality checks during production and before shipment by our dispatch team. Solid rings come with an 18-month manufacturing warranty, and Eternal Bracelets have a 3-month warranty. If your piece falls outside of our warranty period, we offer a repair service.

Our warranty covers manufacturing faults and defects such as:

1. Loose/missing stones - no evidence of bent prongs, clasps, shanks or metal
2. Broken clasps involving the spring mechanism

Our warranty does not cover:

1. Chain breakages or bent/stretched chain
2. Bent prongs/claws on rings
3. Bent/broken earrings posts or clasps
4. Dents/scratching/chipped or peeling
5. Discolouration or tarnishing
6. Pieces that have been damaged due to ‘wear and tear’ through misuse or accident,
7. Lost items
8. Improper storage of your product or stored in the gift box. 
9. If a piece has been repaired or modified by a 3rd party.

Chain breakages are not covered under warranty. Chains are delicate by nature and can be damaged through everyday wear, tension, or accidental snagging. This type of damage is considered general wear and tear. We always recommend handling your jewellery with care to avoid this kind of stress on the chain. In our experience, it's uncommon for chains to break without an external factor. What can often happen is:

• An accidental pull or snag weakens a link, creating a stress point.
• The chain may appear fine initially but is compromised.
• It later breaks during normal wear, and the original incident isn’t always recalled.

To submit a warranty claim, please click here.

Proper care ensures your jewellery retains its golden shine and lasts longer. While all metals naturally soften and fade over time, following these guidelines will help prolong their life:

• Put your jewellery on last and take it off first.
• Avoid contact with cosmetics, perfumes, sunscreens, lotions, and chemicals.
• Remove jewellery before sleeping to prevent breakage.
• Take off your jewellery before washing hands, showering, or swimming in chlorine or salt water.
• Remove jewellery before activities that risk physical damage (e.g., cleaning or exercising).
• Be mindful when layering necklaces or pendants, as metal rubbing against metal can cause wear.

Each piece is carefully packaged in a YCL signature gift box, however to allow ventilation to your jewellery, we do not suggest storing in your gift box. To prolong the life of your jewels we suggest:

• Storing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• Storing in a space with ventilation, that is not closed
• Ensure that the pieces are separated to avoid scratching and tangling