What your jewelry is made of, and how
Everything we can tell you about the metal, the stones and the work behind a VÉRA piece, in plain terms.
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Precious metals
We work only in solid gold: 14k for pieces that see the most wear, 18k where we want a deeper color and where the design is protected from knocks. We do not use plating, vermeil, gold fill or silver.
Our gold is recycled, refined back to the same purity as newly mined gold. White gold is alloyed with palladium rather than nickel.
Karat marks follow the FTC Jewelry Guides, which set how gold content may be stamped and described in the US.
| Stamp | Gold content | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 14k | 58.5% | Rings, chains and bracelets worn every day |
| 18k | 75% | Gemstone settings, signature and bridal pieces |
Three details on every piece
However small or simple, every VÉRA piece is made with the same three details, so anything you own from us belongs with everything else.
The chamfered octagon
The outline of the hallmark stamp we strike inside every piece. It shapes our bezels, links, pendants, ring faces and even the profile of our bands.
One satin plane
Each piece has one surface brushed to a satin finish against mirror polish. It softens the shine, shows the form, and wears in gracefully.
A line of granules
A row of gold granules, each about half a millimetre, traces one edge. Granulation is one of the oldest goldsmithing techniques; we fuse each line by hand.
Gemstones
Every stone is selected by our gemologist, Amara Lowell, GIA Graduate Gemologist (see the GIA Gem Encyclopedia at gia.edu for each stone’s properties). Hardness is on the Mohs scale, where 10 is the hardest.
| Stone | Hardness | What we use and what you receive |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 10 | Natural. G to H color, VS clarity for small stones; GIA report on centre stones of 0.50 ct and above. |
| Sapphire | 9 | Natural, heat treated as most sapphires are, chosen for even color. Studio gemologist's report. |
| Emerald | 7.5 to 8 | Natural, with traditional oil to improve clarity. Set in bezels to protect the corners. |
| Freshwater pearl | 2.5 to 4.5 | Cultured, chosen for lustre. The softest material we use; care notes included. |
How a piece is made
Drawing and wax
Each design starts as a drawing, then a hand-carved or printed wax model at true size.
Casting
The wax is cast in solid gold. We weigh every casting against the design weight.
Fitting and setting
Clasps, posts and hinges are fitted; stones are set by hand under magnification.
Finishing
Filed, sanded and polished in stages, or brushed for a satin face.
Stamping and inspection
Stamped with the fineness and our mark, then checked at 10x before it is boxed.
Quality and documentation
Inspection. Every claw, clasp and solder joint is checked at 10x magnification, and every ring is measured on a mandrel, before it is boxed.
What comes with your piece. A receipt listing the metal and any stones, a care card, and for diamonds of 0.50 ct and above, the GIA grading report. Colored stones come with a report from our gemologist.
If something goes wrong. Manufacturing defects are covered for two years. After that we repair at cost, and cleaning and claw checks are free for life. Contact us and we will arrange it.
Sourcing. We buy recycled gold from refiners who certify it, and stones from suppliers who disclose origin and treatment. We publish only what we can document.