What your piece is made from

Two materials. That is all.

Base: 316L surgical steel

Every Caeli piece is built on 316L surgical steel, a corrosion resistant stainless steel alloy. It is what gives each piece its weight, its structure, and its resistance to water and everyday wear. It is also the alloy most often specified for hypoallergenic jewelry, which is one reason we build on it rather than on brass.

Finish: 14K gold plating

Over that base sits 14K gold plating, and that is where the warm gold color comes from. Our gold finish is applied by PVD, physical vapor deposition, and our manufacturer has confirmed the process in writing. Each piece is built in two layers over the 316L steel base: first a titanium nitride bonding layer chosen for wear resistance, then a layer of real 14K gold. The gold layer measures 0.03 to 0.06 microns, which is the standard range for jewelry PVD.

If you have read that thicker is better, that rule comes from traditional electroplating, where the gold is soft and wears through. PVD works differently: the coating is far harder and bonds at the molecular level, which is why a PVD finish at this thickness outlasts conventional plating many times thicker. We publish the process and the number because we verified both, and we would rather tell you exactly what you are buying.

Because our base metal is stainless steel and not sterling silver, our pieces are correctly labeled as 14K gold plated stainless steel, not vermeil. Vermeil is a regulated term under FTC rules (16 CFR Part 23, Subpart C, Section 23.5) that requires a sterling silver base. We respect the term and we do not misuse it. Read our full breakdown of the FTC vermeil rule and why most brands ignore it.

How to look after it

Caeli pieces are water resistant and designed to resist tarnish, so day to day they ask very little of you. A small amount of care still goes a long way toward keeping the gold finish looking the way it did in the box.

• Wipe it after wearing. A soft, dry, lint free cloth lifts off oils and residue.
• Clean it gently. Warm water with one drop of mild soap, a soft brush with no pressure, a thorough rinse, then pat dry straight away.
• Let products dry first. Perfume, lotion and sunscreen go on before the jewelry, not after.
• Rinse after chlorinated or salt water. Both can speed up wear on any plated finish.
• Store it dry. The pouch in your box keeps pieces apart and away from humidity.
• Skip the harsh stuff. No bleach, no rubbing alcohol, no toothpaste, no abrasive cloths, no commercial dips.

What we are not

We are not solid gold. Solid 14K gold is a beautiful material and beyond the budget of an everyday jewelry wardrobe for most people. We give you a similar look at a much lower price.

We are not gold filled. Gold filled describes a gold layer mechanically bonded to a base metal, usually brass. Caeli is plated, and the base underneath is steel.

We are not vermeil. Vermeil requires a sterling silver base. Ours is stainless steel, so the accurate description is 14K gold plated stainless steel.

We are not a testing laboratory. We have not commissioned independent testing on the finished pieces. The plating process and thickness on this page come from our manufacturer's written confirmation, not from a third-party lab. If independent testing happens, we will publish it here.

What the 30 day return covers

You have 30 days from delivery to decide. If a piece is not right, send it back for a full refund. Beyond that window, the gold color of every piece is covered by our 2-Year Color Warranty.

• Unworn, in original packaging. The piece needs to come back in the condition it arrived in, box and pouch included.
• Free US return label. Email us with your order number and we send one over.
• Free size exchanges. Same 30 day window. We ship the replacement with a label for the original.
• Pierced earrings. For hygiene reasons these can be returned only if unworn and unopened.