Jewelry

Auvere sells 18 karat, 22 karat, and 24 karat gold jewelry only. Auvere does not sell 10 karat or 14 karat gold.

We do! We launched our silver collection in the fall of 2022. Shop our silver jewerly here.

All of Auvere's silver jewelry is crafted from sterling silver and is rhodium plated to minimize tarnishing. Our sterling silver consists of 92.7% pure silver and 7.3% alloys, which include copper and zinc.

• 10 karat gold. 10 karat gold contains the lowest amount of gold that can be sold legally in the United States as “gold” — 41.7%. Since it is mostly alloy, it has a silvery appearance and is highly susceptible to oxidation and blackening over time.
  
  • Pro: It costs less than some costume jewelry.
    
  • Con: With less than 50% gold content, it’s hard to call it real gold. It is not hypoallergenic, may trigger skin allergies and is very likely to oxidize and blacken over time.
    
• 14 karat gold. 14 karat gold is 58.3% gold. The remaining 41.7% consists of an alloy made up of copper and silver. It’s probably safe to say that 14 karat gold is the most common rate of gold jewelry sold in the United States of America because it is very hard and relatively inexpensive due to its high alloy content.
  • Pro: It is hard, holds pronged gemstones extremely well and is relatively inexpensive.
  • Con: It is likely to suffer from oxidation and blacken over time. 14 karat gold may also trigger skin allergies.
• 18 karat gold. 18 karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% alloy. What makes 18K gold popular among jewelers is that it possesses a richer gold color than 14 karat gold because of its higher gold content but is hard enough to hold gemstones in tiny “high-rise” prongs.
  • Pro: 18 karat gold contains a sizable gold content, which makes it more lustrous than 14 karat gold. It holds pronged gemstones well and is used by top jewelers. Because pure gold is a heavy metal, the greater alloy content in 18 karat gold makes 18 karat gold jewelry lighter and more durable than jewelry crafted from 22 and 24 karat gold. 18 karat gold will sustain less scratches than higher karat gold.
  • Con: Because 18K is used by many top jewelers who charge margins in excess of 300% of the cost to make, you pay a lot more money for a lot less gold than you would if you purchased our 22 and 24 karat gold jewelry. Even though 18 karat gold has a gold purity of 75%, it still contains significantly less gold compared to the 91.8% and 99.99% gold purity of 22 karat and 24 karat gold. This means that 18 karat gold is quite a bit less hypoallergenic than 22 and 24 karat gold as it contains more alloy.
• 22 karat gold. 22 karat gold is 91.8% pure gold. We love it because of its high gold content and delicious golden hue. On top of that, 22K gold is strong enough to make everyday jewelry that holds gemstones in bezel settings.
  • Pro: Almost 92 percent pure gold in every piece. Lustrous yellow color when compared to 14 and 18 karat gold. Hard enough for everyday use. Because of its high gold content, 22 karat gold is hypoallergenic, which means that it is very unlikely to trigger skin allergies.
  • Con: For those used to the subtle gold color in 14 and 18 karat gold, the deep yellow hue of 22 karat gold may be too much gold. But once you get used to the true color of gold, it is hard to go back.
• 24 karat gold. 24 karat gold is the big daddy of high karat gold jewelry. Containing 99.99% pure gold, it is precious, rare and soft when compared to 14 or 18 karat gold. But it’s the rarity and softness that makes for very special jewelry — pieces that mold to your form over time. If you are someone who never takes off your jewelry or you put your jewelry through its paces, then 24 karat gold jewelry may not be for you. But if you love the idea of wearing something rich, rare, pure and with more inherent value than 14 and 18 karat gold, then consider 24 karat gold jewelry. Most, if not all, of our customers who purchase 24 karat gold jewelry celebrate the softness of pure gold and consider every mark or scratch as a signifier of the fact that they are wearing pure gold.
  • Pro: 24 karat gold is the richest and rarest form of gold jewelry possible. Because it does not contain an alloy, 24 karat gold is completely hypoallergenic, which means that it will not trigger skin allergies.
  • Con: It is soft and may scratch if subjected to wear and tear. Please note that pure gold jewelry is highly wearable — or else we would not make it. But it is soft enough that you have to take some care when you wear it.

You may find all of our 18K, 22K, and 24K gold jewelry with gemstones here.

Our 22 karat gold necklaces and bracelets are made of 22 karat gold, including the clasps. Likewise, clasps on our 18 karat gold jewelry are made of 18 karat gold.

We offer earring backs made from both 18K and 22K gold. 18K gold is made from 75% pure gold and 25% alloy. The increased alloy content in 18K gold earring backs allows them to endure more friction and stress associated with daily wear and removal of earrings. 22K gold is made from 91.67% pure gold and 8.33% alloy. The increased gold content in 22K gold earring backs makes them ideal for people suffering from metal allergies.

As of August 2022, all Auvere earrings that require backs will be sold with 18K backs. We will continue to sell replacement 22K earring backs in singles and pairs, which you may purchase here. To purchase replacement 18K backs please click here.

Auvere jewelry is handcrafted in New York City and Jaipur, India using a mix of modern, traditional and downright ancient techniques to provide fine work on each piece. Our NYC-based partners are family run businesses with decades of experience making fine jewelry. Among them, they make all of our 24K gold pieces, several pieces of our 22 and 18 karat gold jewelry and many of our sterling silver pieces. Our partner in Jaipur is also a family operated business that traces its roots in fine jewelry manufacturing back to 1931. Our Indian partner makes much of our 18 and 22 karat gold jewelry and some of our sterling silver jewelry.

The designation of purity of the gold or silver used to handcraft each piece of Auvere jewelry, whether 18 karat, 22 karat, 24 karat or sterling silver will be stamped on each piece.

• Matte Gold. A matte gold finish diffuses light rather than reflecting it, which gives each piece a subtle, warm look. Our matte finish is achieved by sandblasting gold pieces with fine grains of sand at a particular speed and pressure. You will feel some texture when you touch the piece.
  
• Satin-Finished Gold. Satin-finished gold is achieved by using a rotating wire brush to create a soft, satiny finish. In both cases, the finish is smooth to the touch but is no longer shiny. Our Valo L Necklace is a perfect example of satin-finished gold.
  
• Polished Gold. Polished gold is burnished to a high-shine, is super smooth, and reflects light like a mirror.
• Hammered Gold. A hammered finish is applied using a rounded ball peen hammer to create crater-like indentations across the surface of gold. This textured finish maintains a subtle shine, and can vary based on the size, shape and power behind the hammer used for this design technique. Our Golden Apex 24K Ring Hammered is a perfect example of this tactile finish.

For images and more detailed descriptions of our finishes click here.

24 karat gold. 24 karat gold jewelry will not tarnish or blacken because such jewelry is made of pure gold, which does not combine with, or otherwise react to oxygen.

22 karat and 18 karat gold. Auvere's 22 karat gold and 18 karat gold jewelry is made of 91.8% pure gold and 75% pure gold, respectively. Both are combined with pure silver, copper and zinc for increased hardness and durability. Because 22 karat gold has an alloy content of less than 10%, it is unlikely to blacken or tarnish. 18 karat gold 25% alloys, which increases the likelihood of tarnish. With good care, however, 18 karat gold jewelry is not likely to blacken. In the unlikely event that our 18 and 22 karat gold jewelry blackens, such tarnish may be caused by one or more of the following:

• Sweat. 22 karat and 18 karat gold jewelry can discolor when it comes in contact with human sweat. Perspiration contains substances that can cause the blackening of gold, such as sodium chloride, lactic acid, urea, and ammonia. When these substances come into contact with the silver alloys in 22 karat and 18 karat gold, silver chloride results, which can lead to creation of deep black chemical salts. This chemical reaction can blacken 22 karat and 18 karat gold jewelry.
• Body Care Products, Perfumes & Pain Relief Ointments. Synthetic ingredients and chemicals found in perfumes, body creams, body oils, lotions, moisturizers, and deodorant can all discolor 22 karat and 18 karat gold jewelry.
• Food Products. Certain food items containing acid and/or sulphuric compounds such as fruit juices, oil, vinegar, soda, pickles and onions can discolor or tarnish 22 karat and 18 karat gold jewelry.
• Cleaning Substances. Bleach and chlorine cause the disintegration of the alloys in 22 karat and 18 karat gold jewelry over a period of time. 22 karat and 18 karat gold jewelry may also darken if it is frequently exposed to bath gel, shampoo, soap, lotion, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and dirt.

Recommendations for care. Please click here to learn more about caring for 18K, 22K, and 24K gold jewelry.

Although all of Auvere's sterling silver jewelry has been crafted to minimize tarnishing by using sterling silver that contains an anti-oxidant alloy and thereafter rhodium plating each piece, your sterling silver jewelry may tarnish over time as the rhodium plating wears off. Moreover, regardless of its anti-tarnishing qualities, Auvere's sterling silver jewelry is vulnerable to salty air, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, and household chemicals. For care instructions on how to prevent and remove tarnish on your Auvere sterling silver jewelry, please review our CARE page.

Auvere's sterling silver jewelry is rhodium plated to reduce tarnishing. Rhodium plating typically lasts for approximately 12 to 18 months depending on wear. If the Rhodium plating on your jewelry has worn off, we recommend that you contact your local jeweler to determine if it may be re-plated. Auvere will not be responsible for rhodium re-plating at any time after the 30-day return or exchange period. In order to increase the longevity of the rhodium plating on your sterling silver jewelry, please review our CARE page.

If you have received your jewelry in a tarnished condition, you may return the item for a replacement or a full refund provided that you contact Auvere Customer Support within 30 days from the date on which you received the jewelry. If the 30-day return period has expired, please (a) review our instructions for care and try to reduce or eliminate activities or contact that contribute to, or directly cause, tarnishing, and (b) take your item to your local jeweler who should be able to polish the tarnished areas and remove any blackening.