Look past the marketing words and find the base metal. Terms like hypoallergenic are unregulated in the United States, which means any brand can print them without testing or certification, so the label on its own tells you very little.

What tells you something is the specific alloy and grade, for example 316L stainless steel, titanium, sterling silver, or brass, and whether the gold is solid, plated, gold filled, or vermeil. If a brand cannot tell you the base metal, that is the answer to your question.

Every Caeli piece is built on 316L surgical steel, with 14K gold plating over it. Those are the only two materials in the piece.

316L is a corrosion resistant stainless steel alloy, and it is the base most commonly specified for hypoallergenic jewelry, which is why we build on it rather than on brass.

Plating is a coating, not a solid material. As it wears with normal use, whatever sits underneath becomes the surface you are actually wearing. Brass is a copper alloy that oxidises, so once the gold layer thins, the piece can change colour.

This is why the base metal, rather than the gold finish, is the thing that tells you how a piece will behave over the long run. Caeli uses 316L surgical steel as the base. Gold plated vs gold filled vs vermeil, full comparison →

These terms describe how the gold is applied and over what base:

• Gold plated: a gold layer applied over a base metal.
• Gold filled: a gold layer mechanically bonded to a base metal, usually brass.
• Gold vermeil: a term defined by the US FTC in 16 CFR Part 23, which specifically requires a sterling silver base plus a minimum gold fineness and gold layer set out in the rule.

Vermeil over sterling silver is generally regarded in the trade as a more precious construction than gold plating over steel, and sterling can be re-plated by a jeweler later where steel cannot. Caeli is 14K gold plating over a 316L surgical steel base, so Caeli is correctly described as gold plated, not vermeil and not gold filled. Compare the three →

Tarnish is oxidation, so it comes down to the base metal. Sterling silver tarnishes. Brass and copper tarnish. 316L stainless steel is highly resistant to oxidation, which is why Caeli pieces are designed to resist tarnish.

Any plated finish shows wear with time and use, so the care steps further down this page are what get you the most life out of the gold layer.

Our finish is real gold applied by PVD, physical vapor deposition, confirmed in writing by our manufacturer. The construction is two layers over the 316L steel base: a titanium nitride wear layer, then real 14K gold at 0.03 to 0.06 microns, the standard range for jewelry PVD.

PVD coatings are much harder than traditional electroplating, which is why they outlast conventional plating many times thicker. The full explanation is on our Materials Promise page.

Every Caeli piece is built on 316L surgical-grade stainless steel with a 14K gold plated finish.

• 316L steel: a corrosion resistant stainless steel alloy, water resistant and designed to resist tarnish
• 14K gold: a 14K gold plated finish that gives the warm gold color
• Nothing else: two materials, no brass, no filler

The finish is real 14K gold, a layer of genuine 14-karat gold applied over a 316L surgical steel base.

It is not solid gold, but the gold you see and touch is real 14K gold. The surgical steel base is what gives the piece its structure and its water resistance. Compare gold plated, gold filled, and vermeil →

Yes. Caeli pieces are water resistant. The 316L surgical steel base does not corrode, and everyday contact with water will not harm it.

To get the longest life out of the gold plating, rinse with fresh water after contact with chlorinated or salt water, pat dry straight away, and keep harsh chemicals away from the piece.

Caeli jewelry is designed for everyday wear. A few habits get the most life out of the gold finish:

• Wipe the piece with a soft dry cloth after wearing
• Let perfume, lotion and sunscreen dry before putting jewelry on
• Rinse with fresh water after contact with chlorinated or salt water, then pat dry
• Store it dry, in the pouch it came in
• Keep bleach, household cleaners and abrasives away from it

The 316L surgical steel base is water resistant and does not corrode. The plated gold finish is the part that shows wear over time, which is what the care steps protect.

US Domestic: 3-7 business days. Free US shipping on every order.

International: 7-21 business days depending on destination. Rates calculated at checkout.

All orders are processed within 1-2 business days. You'll receive a tracking number via email once your order ships. See our full Shipping Policy →

We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your Caeli piece, return it within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

Conditions:

• Item must be unworn and in original condition
• Original packaging included
• For hygiene reasons, pierced earrings can only be returned if unworn and unopened
• Email hello@caelijewelry.com with your order number to initiate

Return shipping is free for US customers, we'll email a prepaid return label. See our full Returns & Refunds Policy →

If the gold color of your piece fades, discolors, or tarnishes within two years of delivery, email us a photo with your order number and we replace the piece free. Loss and physical damage are not covered. The full terms are on our warranty page. This is in addition to the 30-day return.

Yes, we ship to over 50 countries worldwide. International shipping rates and delivery times vary by location and are calculated at checkout. All international orders include tracking. Customers are responsible for any customs duties or import taxes charged by their country.

Yes, free exchanges within 30 days for US customers. Email hello@caelijewelry.com with your order number and the item you want instead. We'll send your new item and provide a prepaid return label for the original.

Best method: Visit a local jeweler for professional sizing (free at most jewelry stores).

At-home method:

1. Wrap a string around your finger where the ring will sit
2. Mark where the string overlaps
3. Measure the length in millimeters
4. Compare to a standard US ring size chart

Pro tip: Measure at the end of the day when fingers are slightly larger. The ring should slide on with slight resistance and off with a gentle tug.

Yes, all Caeli necklaces feature a 2-inch extender chain, giving you flexibility in length. Standard lengths range from 16 to 18 inches. A 16" chain sits at the collarbone; 18" sits just below. For layering: How to Layer Necklaces Without Looking Overdone →

We offer free size exchanges within 30 days. Email hello@caelijewelry.com with your order number and we'll ship your new size with a return label for the original.

Daily cleaning: Wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing to remove oils and residue.

Deep cleaning:

1. Soak briefly (20 to 30 seconds) in warm water with one drop of mild dish soap
2. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, no pressure
3. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water
4. Pat dry immediately, never air dry

Never use: toothpaste, bleach, rubbing alcohol, commercial jewelry cleaner, or abrasive materials, these wear the gold layer. See our complete jewelry cleaning guide →

The 14K gold finish is designed to hold its color. Any plated finish shows wear with time and use, so how it ages depends a lot on how it is treated.

To get the most life from the finish:

• Wipe after each wear
• Apply perfume and lotions before putting jewelry on
• Rinse after contact with chlorinated or salt water
• Store in the provided pouch
• Avoid harsh chemicals (bleach, household cleaners)

We accept:

• All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
• PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay
• Buy Now, Pay Later, Klarna and Afterpay (4 interest-free payments)

All transactions are encrypted and secure.

Yes. Every Caeli order arrives gift-ready in our signature box with a care card and story card. No price information is included. Add a personal gift message at checkout at no charge. The recipient can exchange for a different size within 30 days.

Every Caeli design is produced in a small, limited run of around 100 pieces. Once a design sells through, we retire it, no restocks, no second run, no seasonal recreation.

It keeps the collection small and intentional, and it means the piece you choose stays rare. If a design speaks to you, it is rarely a mistake to act while it is still here.

Contact us at hello@caelijewelry.com or call (832) 224-5786. We respond within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. Every message is read and answered by a real person.