Meet Our Metals

14K Gold Filled

All of our gold options online are created with 14k gold-filled material. This type of gold is a great alternative to solid gold because of its price, durability, and versatility for different lifestyles and activities. The layer of gold is pressure bonded to brass and has 100x more gold alloy than gold plated. Because that layer is so much thicker, it means gold-filled jewelry lasts exceptionally longer and stands up to wear and tear better than gold plated. Gold filled jewelry is meant to last nearly as long as solid gold. This material is hypoallergenic and non-tarnish for everyday wear, especially in water. Even with daily wear, they are made to last around 20-30 years without tarnish. See our FAQs below for more details on how to care for you 14k Gold-Filled jewelry.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is regarded as a precious metal, composed of 92.5% pure silver, making it durable and stronger than solid silver. It is also hypoallergenic and nickel free, offering a great alternative to solid silver. However, because it is softer than gold filled metals, it can be susceptible to scratches from daily wear if not cared for properly. Some tarnishing can also occur if its metal is exposed to any chemicals. It can be easily cleaned using a polish pad.See our FAQs below for more details on how to care for you sterling silver jewelry.

 

*Our silver keychains and silver bar necklaces are created using a metal called alkeme. This is an alternative to sterling silver that is non-tarnish and patented by ImpressArt.

Brass

Brass is a popular choice for jewelry due to its resemblance to gold. Brass ages beautifully and is a sustainable metal that has been used for hundreds of years and is made to pass down through generations. It is a sturdy alloy made of copper and zinc that gives a classic, unique look. Over time, brass will oxidize giving the pieces a unique and natural patina. To delay the oxidation process and keep the pieces as polished as possible, you can use natural polishing remedies.See our FAQs below for more details on how to care for you brass jewelry.

Copper

Copper is the earliest known metal used in jewelry. This soft metal is highly versatile because of its soft and malleable composition, making it easy to shape, imprint and engrave. It has a beautiful and earthy color and over time can change to a shiny and deeper golden brown. Without polishing it can obtain a unique and natural patina, but can easily be cleaned using natural remedies. See our FAQs below for more details on how to care for you copper.

General FAQs

How do I care for my OSC jewelry?

This is the best part about 14k gold filled metals - it’s so low maintenance. If cared for properly, Our Spare Change pieces will last for many years to come! When caring for your jewelry, there are some things to consider: what your jewelry comes into contact with (cleaning products, water, chemicals, beauty products such as makeup, lotions, hairspray, shampoos) and where you store your jewelry.

We recommend cleaning all your gold-filled jewelry regularly using warm water and a soft cloth or rag to dry it! This should make it all shiny and beautiful again. We also recommend storing your jewelry in a plastic or cloth bag, like the ones we send with our pieces!

Will gold filled jewelry react with my skin?

Because of the thick layer of gold that is pressure bonded onto brass, unless you have an allergy to solid gold, anything 14k gold-filled should be completely hypoallergenic! 

Will my OSC jewelry tarnish?

Anything created from 14k gold-filled material or sterling silver is essentially tarnish-free!

Can I wear my OSC jewelry in water?

Yes! Any piece of jewelry created from 14k gold-filled material or sterling silver can be worn in water, tarnish-free!

Can 14k gold filled jewelry turn my skin green?

Since we started in 2015, we have only heard of this happening a few times with our 14k gold-filled pieces. Though very rare, it can occur even when using only high-quality materials! This green skin tint is actually not caused by the pieces themselves though, but a few external factors—it can even happen with solid gold pieces.

What happens if my piece of gold-filled OSC jewelry is damaged in the first year?

Great news! We have a 365 day replacement policy. If anything bought from OSC that is 14k gold-filled tarnishes for any reason, ship it back to us and we will replace it for you, free of charge! 

Still Have Questions?

If you have any further questions please feel free to reach out to us - support@oursparechange.com