Sandra Day O'Conner 14k Wrap Earrings

$28.00

Iolite
14k Gold Fill

Size of Iolite Nugget* ⇢ 8-10mm x 8-12 mm

These earrings are made with natural faceted hand cut semi-precious Indian gemstones.

Find out the history, lore, & healing powers of Iolite in the information sections at the bottom of the page.

Ordering this piece of jewelry as a gift? We offer a brief version of this information in an elegant card format. Add it to your gift by finding the Crystal Card blog post. Click on the specific gemstone card & you will see a download & print icon. You can print the card out yourself, or let us know you are gifting these earrings through the "Add A Note" section at purchase.

For more instructions on how to "Add A Note," visit our FAQ's page.

These best selling earrings are one of our signature collections. This design showcases the natural gemstones with a simple elegance.

We create the earring setting & post by wrapping the gemstone in 14k gold filled wire. Working with this type of wire prolongs the earring’s lifetime & makes them suitable for sensitive ears. Every pair of earrings in the 14k Wrap Collection are hypoallergenic & with proper care will not tarnish, turn, or stain your skin.

For more information on 14k gold filled metals & how to care for this type of jewelry, check out our information sections below.

EARRING BACK OPTIONS

Some consider larger earrings to be heavy. To prevent these earrings from sitting incorrectly we have provided two options for earring backs:

Standard Size 14k Gold Fill Earring Backs
Larger Plastic Earring Backs for Stability

The plastic earring backs are better for those with larger holes in their ears or for those who commonly need extra support with earrings.

*Every pair of earrings is made with natural Iolite of the same color, however, the shape & size of the gemstone will vary, especially in size. These are freeform nuggets that will vary up to 2 mm in length & width. The earrings pictured are the smaller size, closer to a square in shape, whereas the larger size is more of a rectangle. If you have a specific shape you would like to purchase, let us know in the "Add A Note" section in the cart.

Visit our FAQ's page to see details on how to find the "Add A Note" area of the cart page.

Quantity

The word Iolite comes from the greek word iOS, which means "violet," referring to the color of the stone. It has been nicknamed the "water sapphire." In modern culture, it is known as the stone that is gifted on a 21st anniversary.

According to legend, Iolite is known as the viking compass stone. During this time period finding the sun's position in the sky was critical in order to choose your route, ensure you're still on course, & determine what time it was. The vikings used thin slices of iolite as glare reducers & polarizing filters to ease their eyes when searching for the sun on cloudy days. Iolite behaves the same way a Polaroid does - it cancels out haze, mist, & clouds to make whatever is seen through it more clear.

Iolite is known for its pleochroism, appearing deep blue from one direction, yellow-gray or blue from another direction, & almost colorless from a third direction. it can be found as small, water-worn crystals in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, & India.
There are a few common terms used when describing gold jewelry -

・Gold Plated
・Gold Vermeil
・Gold Filled
・Solid Gold

In this piece, we used a gold filled metal. Gold filled is the highest quality alternative to solid gold, with a higher gold content than both gold-plated & gold vermeil metals. It has almost 100x as much gold as gold-plated jewelry! The gold is mechanically bonded to the base metal, so it can’t rub off like gold-plated jewelry can. Gold fill has the same qualities as solid gold jewelry at a fraction of the cost.

All of our gold fill jewelry is made with 14k gold.

While it’s name implies the metal is filled with gold, the gold is actually on the outside. The term refers to a thick outer layer of durable, pressure-bonded, solid gold that covers a base metal, usually brass. The USA industry standard legally requires 5% of the metal be pure gold by weight.

Gold-fill is your best option after solid gold for quality & durability. It will not flake off or turn your skin green. Gold fill is nickel free & hypoallergenic, making it a great option for people with sensitive skin.

Hypothetically, gold-filled jewelry can last a lifetime. Actual longevity will depend on a number of factors, especially how you care for it. For details on how to care for your gold filled jewelry, see the specified drop down menu below.

14k Gold Fill jewelry is not supposed to tarnish, at least for a long time. However, it is possible for gold-fill to tarnish under certain circumstances, though it should not do so easily. Exposing your jewelry to chemicals, such as bleach, certain people’s body chemistry, chlorine (pools & hot tubs), salt water, sweat, & certain products, such as perfume, hairspray, lotions, & sunscreen. For more details, see our FAQ section or blog post on 14k Gold Fill.

Ultimately, gold-filled jewelry is perfect for everyday wear because it can handle the wear & tear of daily life, & is very affordable. It has almost 100x more gold than gold-plated, with the same qualities & durability as solid gold, but at an affordable price!

For more detailed information on gold plated jewelry, see our FAQ page & blog ☺︎
In theory, gold-filled jewelry should last a lifetime, however, it’s actual longevity depends a number of factors. The following care instructions will prolong your jewelry’s lifetime & keep it in optimal condition.

Our pieces are relatively delicate & are not meant to be worn during harsh activities, such as sports, cleaning, gardening, etc.

・Take your jewelry off when swimming in pools, hot tubs, or the ocean.

Chlorine & salt water will degrade the metal, causing your jewelry to tarnish at an accelerated rate. However, wearing your gold-filled jewelry in the shower or bath is fine, as long you dry it off properly.

・Apply makeup, lotion, hairspray, & perfume before you put on your jewelry.

・Avoid excessive contact with sunscreen. The chemicals in sunscreen are harsh on most metals.

・Take off your jewelry at the nail salon or when doing your nails at home. Nail polish remover is a harsh chemical that does not play well with gold-filled jewelry.

・Take off your jewelry before participating in activities that will cause heavy sweating. Some people’s body chemistry (which is affected by many factors, including hormones, medications) is more harsh on jewelry than others. Only ~10% of people find their body does not pair well with gold jewelry, however, better safe than sorry! Removing your jewelry before working out, tanning, etc. will ensure your jewelry will remain in pristine condition.

・Remove your jewelry before cleaning. Harsh chemicals found in cleaning products, such as bleach, can degrade even the strongest of metals.

・Clean your jewelry as soon as it starts to look dingy.

▹ Soak your jewelry in a bath of lukewarm water & mild dish soap for 10-15 minutes.

▹ Use a soft cloth to wipe your jewelry off, pat it dry, then lay it out until it is fully dry before wearing or storing it.

▹ For a deep clean that will remove dirt from your jewelry’s nooks & crannies you can use a soft brush, such as a child’s toothbrush.

▹ Our favorite jewelry cleaning tool is the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, which removes dirt & grime by vibrating your jewelry in a warm water + soapy solution.

For more information on how to care for your jewelry visit our FAQ page & our 14k gold fill blog posts ☺︎

Sandra Day O'Conner 14k Wrap Earrings

Sandra Day O'Conner

Iolite

14k Gold Fill

How To Care For 14k Gold Fill Jewelry