Materials & Jewelry Care

At Chérie çv, we believe meaningful jewelry should be made to live with you. By thoughtfully working with different materials, we are able to offer distinctive designs at different price points while preserving the beauty, character and craftsmanship of every piece.

Our jewelry may be crafted with genuine cultured freshwater pearls, 14K gold-filled, 18K gold-plated materials, 925 sterling silver, natural gemstones and shell materials. Some designs combine more than one material. Please refer to the individual product page for the exact composition of each piece.

1. Our Pearls

All Chérie çv pearls are genuine cultured freshwater pearls, sourced through trusted suppliers and personally selected by us.

We choose pearls graded AAA according to our suppliers’ grading systems, then assess them using our own selection standards, with particular attention to:

Luster and glow
Surface quality
Color and overtone
Shape and proportion
Overall character

Pearl grading is not governed by one universal industry standard, so an AAA grade may vary between suppliers. Every pearl used by Chérie çv is therefore individually examined and selected for its beauty and suitability for the final design.

Because pearls are formed by living mollusks, variations in shape, size, color, texture and surface are completely natural. Baroque pearls may feature irregular contours, rings, dimples, ridges or other organic characteristics. These details are part of what makes every piece unique and are not considered defects.

2. Natural Gemstones and Shell Materials

Selected Chérie çv designs may also feature natural gemstones or shell materials.

Depending on the individual design, these may include:

Agate
Tourmaline
Aquamarine
Turquoise
Moonstone
Quartz and crystal
Larimar
Yellow mother-of-pearl shell
Other natural stones or shell materials

Not every piece contains these materials. The exact stones, shells and other components used in each design will be identified on the relevant product page.

Natural gemstones and shell materials may display variations in color, pattern, transparency, inclusions, texture and shape. These characteristics are created by nature and mean that no two pieces will look exactly alike.

Where known to us, treatments, dyeing or enhancements that materially affect a material’s appearance, value or care requirements will be disclosed on the relevant product page.

3. 14K Gold-Filled

We offer 14K gold-filled jewelry because we believe in creating high-quality pieces that can be worn and enjoyed for a long time.

14K gold-filled is made by mechanically bonding a substantial outer layer of 14K gold alloy to a core metal, usually high-quality jeweler’s brass, using heat and pressure.

Under the applicable U.S. jewelry industry standard, the bonded gold-alloy layer must account for at least 1/20, or 5%, of the total metal weight for the material to be described as Gold-Filled.

Compared with conventional electroplated jewelry, gold-filled material has a much more substantial, mechanically bonded gold layer. This generally makes it:

More durable
More resistant to tarnishing
Better suited to regular wear
Longer lasting when properly cared for

Gold-filled is not solid gold and is not completely resistant to wear. Its appearance and lifespan will depend on frequency of use, skin chemistry, friction and exposure to moisture, chemicals and personal-care products.

4. 18K Gold-Plated

Our 18K gold-plated pieces allow us to create detailed, expressive designs at a more accessible price point.

Gold-plated jewelry is made by applying a surface layer of 18K gold alloy over a base metal. The specific base material used will be identified on the individual product page.

Unlike gold-filled material, gold plating is a surface finish and will naturally wear or fade over time. How quickly this occurs depends on:

Frequency of wear
Friction against the skin or clothing
Exposure to water and perspiration
Contact with perfume, lotion and cosmetics
Individual skin chemistry
Storage and cleaning habits

Changes to the plated finish caused by regular wear are natural and do not mean that the jewelry was improperly made.

5. 925 Sterling Silver

925 sterling silver is composed of 92.5% pure silver, combined with other metals to improve its strength and durability.

Some Chérie çv pieces feature sterling silver in its natural silver tone, while others may use gold-plated sterling silver. The exact finish and composition will be stated on the product page.

Sterling silver may naturally tarnish when exposed to air, humidity, perspiration or certain chemicals. Tarnishing is a normal characteristic of genuine silver and can usually be removed carefully with an appropriate silver-polishing cloth.

Do not use silver dips, abrasive cleaners or silver-polishing products directly on pearls, gemstones, shell materials or gold-plated surfaces.

6. Mixed-Material Jewelry

Some Chérie çv designs combine different materials within the same piece—for example, a 14K gold-filled chain or wire with an 18K gold-plated charm, clasp or decorative component.

Other designs may combine pearls with gemstones, shell materials, sterling silver, gold-plated components, stringing materials or handcrafted wirework.

The materials used for each major component will be listed on the relevant product page.

When caring for mixed-material jewelry, always follow the care requirements of the most delicate material in the piece. This is especially important for jewelry containing pearls, shell, porous gemstones, plated components, stringing materials or adhesives.

7. Everyday Jewelry Care

To help preserve your jewelry:

Put your jewelry on after applying perfume, lotion, makeup, sunscreen, hairspray and other beauty products.
Remove it before showering, swimming, exercising, sleeping or participating in activities that may cause impact or excessive friction.
Keep it away from chlorine, salt water, household cleaners and other chemicals.
Avoid prolonged exposure to perspiration, humidity, direct sunlight and extreme heat.
Do not pull, bend or place unnecessary pressure on chains, wirework, clasps, stone settings or pearls.
After wearing, gently wipe the jewelry with a clean, soft cloth.

Although 14K gold-filled components are generally more resistant to water and everyday wear than standard gold-plated components, Chérie çv jewelry may also contain pearls, gemstones, shell, stringing materials or plated details. We therefore recommend removing all Chérie çv jewelry before showering or swimming.

8. Caring for Pearls, Gemstones and Shell

Pearls and shell materials require particularly gentle care. Certain natural gemstones may also be sensitive to heat, chemicals, impact or sudden changes in temperature.

To protect them:

Make your jewelry the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off.
Avoid direct contact with perfume, lotion, sunscreen, hairspray, oils and cleaning products.
Do not wear pearl, gemstone or shell jewelry in swimming pools, hot tubs, showers or the ocean.
Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners unless the product page specifically confirms that the piece is suitable for them.
Avoid soaking jewelry containing pearls, shell, stringing materials or adhesives.
Gently wipe pearls, gemstones and shell materials after wearing.
Allow strung jewelry to dry completely and flat before storing it.
Protect gemstones and shell components from drops, knocks and scratching against harder materials.

Different gemstones may require different care. Please follow any additional instructions provided on the individual product page.

9. Cleaning Your Jewelry

Every Chérie çv order includes a complimentary soft pearl care cloth for gentle everyday cleaning.

After each wear, use the cloth dry to gently wipe away skin oils, perspiration and surface residue, helping preserve the natural luster of your pearls. Do not apply cleaning products to the cloth or rub pearls, gemstones, shell materials or plated surfaces with excessive pressure.

For routine cleaning, gently wipe your jewelry with the included care cloth or another clean, soft, lint-free cloth.

If deeper cleaning is required:

Use only a small amount of lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap.
Clean gently with a soft cloth or a very soft brush.
Do not scrub pearls, shell materials, plated surfaces or delicate gemstones.
Do not soak the jewelry.
Carefully remove any soap residue.
Lay the piece flat on a clean towel and allow it to dry completely before wearing or storing.

Avoid abrasive polishing cloths on gold-plated surfaces, as they may gradually remove the plating.

If you are unsure whether a piece can be cleaned with water, please use only a dry, soft cloth or contact us before cleaning it.

10. Storing Your Jewelry

Store each piece separately in its original Chérie çv pouch, a soft jewelry pouch or a lined jewelry box.

To help prevent scratches, tangling and tarnishing:

Fasten necklaces and bracelets before storing them.
Keep separate pieces from rubbing against one another.
Store jewelry away from direct sunlight, excessive heat and damp conditions.
Do not store pearls in airtight plastic containers for extended periods.
Keep sterling silver in an anti-tarnish pouch or with an anti-tarnish strip where appropriate.
Do not place heavy objects on top of delicate chains, wirework, pearls, gemstones or shell components.

11. Natural Wear

All jewelry will experience some degree of natural wear over time.

Gold plating may gradually fade, sterling silver may tarnish, and gold-filled surfaces may eventually show signs of wear depending on use and care. Pearls, gemstones and shell materials may also develop subtle changes when repeatedly exposed to cosmetics, chemicals, friction, moisture or impact.

Following these care instructions will help preserve the appearance of your Chérie çv jewelry for as long as possible.