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

• 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 alloyed, 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 alloys such as 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 the 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 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.
  • 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.
• 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.
  • 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 celebrates 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.
  • 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 22 and 24 karat jewelry with gemstones here.

The clasps of our necklaces and bracelets are made of 22 karat gold.

All of our earring backs are made with solid 22 karat gold.

Auvere jewelry is handcrafted in New York, NY and Jaipur, India using a mix of modern, traditional and downright ancient techniques to provide fine work on each piece. Our NYC-based partner is a family run business with decades of experience making fine jewelry. They make all of our 24 karat gold pieces. Our partner in Jaipur is also a family operated business that traces its roots in fine jewelry manufacture to 1931. Our Indian partner makes all of our 22 karat gold jewelry.

The designation of purity of the gold used to handcraft each piece of Auvere true gold jewelry, whether 22 karat or 24 karat, 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.

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 gold. Auvere’s 22 karat gold contains 91.8% pure gold. The remaining 8.2% is comprised of 4.2% pure silver, 3.2% copper and .8% zinc. In the very unlikely event that our 22 karat gold blackens, such tarnish may be caused by one or more of the following:

• Sweat. 22 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 gold, silver chloride results, which can lead to creation of deep black chemical salts. This chemical reaction can blacken 22 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 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 gold jewelry.
• Cleaning Substances. Bleach and chlorine cause the disintegration of the alloys in 22 karat gold jewelry over a period of time. 22 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 22 and 24 karat gold jewelry.

It is very unlikely that your 22 karat gold will blacken or tarnish. That said, 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.