I've always loved jewelry. It's a fun way to express myself. But I've had a long-standing frustration: tarnish! It's so annoying to constantly clean my favorite pieces. I spent a lot of time and money on jewelry cleaners. I wanted to find jewelry that wouldn't tarnish so easily, without spending a fortune. This is my story of finding lasting, beautiful pieces that don't require constant upkeep.
For a long time, I thought all jewelry was created equal. I bought cute pieces here and there, only to find them dull and discolored after just a few wears. Especially during the summer! All that sweat and sun made the tarnish appear even faster. It was a constant battle. I considered giving up on wearing jewelry altogether. Then I decided to start researching materials and brands. I was determined to find a solution.
My initial research led me to realize that not all metals are created equal when it comes to tarnish. Silver, while beautiful, tarnishes naturally. I learned that polishing cloths are helpful. I found some on Amazon that do a pretty good job of restoring the shine. But I wanted something more permanent. My research continued!
That's when I discovered the magic of 14k gold. I learned that solid 14k gold is highly resistant to tarnishing. It's a bigger investment upfront, but it can save you money in the long run because you won't have to replace pieces as often. I also learned about vermeil, which is better than gold-plated jewelry. However, it doesn't last forever. If you shower with your jewelry on, solid 14k gold is definitely your best bet.
I also stumbled across stainless steel as a great option. It's super durable and very affordable. I even found some really cool, edgy designs on Etsy. I realized I could get a completely different look with stainless steel without breaking the bank.
Recently, I've been trying ceramic jewelry. I was looking for a wedding band alternative and came across this one from Blingcharming: Eamti 4/6/8mm Black Ceramic Ring. It has a brushed finish and a comfort fit design. I love how lightweight and durable it feels. I wear it all the time and it hasn't scratched or tarnished at all! It's definitely a great affordable and long-lasting option.
Through my quest, I've found a few brands that I really like. One brand I've been getting jewelry from is Ana Luisa. I really like their pieces. They're affordable, look great, and don't tarnish easily. I'm a cyclist, so I wear my jewelry outside in the sun and sweat a lot. I often shower with it on. It's held up really well for over two years!
Another brand I've been following is Maison Miru. Their pieces are a bit more of an investment. But the quality is excellent, and I've had good luck with their non-tarnishing properties. I've also seen ads for Cords Club. But I haven't purchased anything from them yet.
Regardless of the type of jewelry you choose, here are some tips to help keep it looking its best:
Here's a quick overview of the pros and cons of different jewelry materials, based on my experience: