Because “Gold-Plated Over Silver” Doesn’t Always Mean What You Think It Does
There’s nothing worse than spending your money on jewellery that looks great on Instagram… but flakes, fades or turns your skin green after two wears.
And the worst part?
Some brands still charge premium prices for it, even while being unclear about what their jewellery is really made from.
At Claire Hill Designs, we believe you deserve better.
Here’s how to buy jewellery online like a pro. So you get real quality, real value, and pieces you’ll love for years (not days).
👀 1. “Gold-Plated Over Silver” Doesn’t Tell You Anything About Quality
Lots of brands say their jewellery is “gold-plated over sterling silver.”
Sounds good, right? But here's the thing. They don’t tell you how thick the gold is. And that makes all the difference.
The thickness of gold-plating is measure in microns - 1 micron = 0.001 of a millimeter. This might not sound a lot but plating from 1 micron and up is deemed good quality. Anything under 1 micron is classed as flash plating. For us this quality is far too low for long-lasting jewellery.
The thinner it is, the faster it fades, flakes and wears off, especially on rings and everyday studs.
Some of the most popular “influencer brands” use 1 micron or less of gold and charge more than we do.
What do you use at Claire Hill Designs? 2.5 microns over recycled silver aka gold vermeil
- 2.5-micron gold vermeil is 5x thicker than standard plating)
- We either use 14k or 18k gold and more than 50% of our gold is recycled.
- The gold is plated over solid recycled 925 sterling silver in every single piece of jewellery
- With no brass, no nickel, no green skin
- Each piece comes with a 2 year warranty and if your jewellery needs a refresh over the years we will replate it for you, for free
- ✨ That means: your jewellery stays beautiful for longer. Full stop.
2. Price Doesn’t Always Equal Quality
You’d be shocked at how many brands:
- Charge £100+ for ultra-thin gold plating
- Use mystery base metals (often brass or stainless steel)
- Don’t share thickness, metal content, or sustainability info
We don’t believe in that.
At Claire Hill Designs, we price fairly and we’re upfront about what you’re buying:
- Precious recycled metals
- Hypoallergenic finishes
- Small-batch, meaning-first design
- With free gift packaging and care cards included
Because you shouldn’t need a chemistry degree to buy a pair of earrings you can trust.
What about "waterproof jewellery"? What does that mean?
You’ve seen the slogans: “waterproof", "swim proof", sweat proof" and the promise of jewellery that lasts forever but what does this really mean?
Waterproof jewellery is made from stainless steel and then coated with a durable PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating for added protection against tarnishing and corrosion. It means it shouldn't tarnish, but it is the right option for you?
"Waterproof" stainless steel jewellery might not fade but
- it can chip and scratch so it is not completely life proof
- it is a cheap material and not a precious metal
- a hard material you can't shape it and add texture like with silver or gold so the designs need to be more basic and simple
Personally I hate the look of it, I find it brassy and cheap looking and find the finish cold and lifeless (say what you think Claire)
I believe wearing jewellery is a tactile experience, with pieces full of texture that capture your memories and the imprint of you when you wear them. So we want to create pieces that feel full of life, stories, texture and richness - that's what makes you feel special.
3. What to Look For When Buying Jewellery Online
Before you hit “add to cart,” check:
✅ Metal type
Is it really silver, or just plated brass/stainless steel?
✅ Gold thickness (microns)
If it’s not listed, assume it’s thin (and short-lived)
✅ Plating method
Look for vermeil or thick micron-plated over silver
✅ Transparency
Do they clearly explain what they use? Or is it buried?
✅ Return policy + care info
Good brands back up their jewellery with helpful guidance
✅ Ethics + sustainability
Are they using recycled metals or fast-fashion factory models?
✨ If a brand’s being vague? That’s your sign to shop elsewhere..
You don’t need to settle for mystery metals. You don’t need to guess if it’ll tarnish in a week. And you definitely don’t need to pay more for less just because it has influencer backing.
✨ Buy jewellery you can trust, with quality you can feel.
Explore Our Recycled Vermeil Collection →
