Yes! VCA RG definitely has a lot of copper. I really couldn't get a solid RG piece unless it has a stone or pave diamonds because the RG doesn't look great with my pink skin tone. I will try to remember to take a picture of the bracelet. I am going out of town later this week so may not have time until after that. The problem with polishing gold is that it can remove a small amount of gold, and I'd be afraid it would do the same thing as time passed. I doubt anyone else would notice it, but I can definitely see the difference between it and my other 18k yg jewelry.
Different shades of yellow gold for vintage alhambra hammered gold
- Thread starter kura
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Right, same here I’m always hesitant to polish for the same reason as well. Supposedly this cream used by Cartier is not a polish but more just to restore the color. So I wonder if VCA has something similar if you bring it in for cleaning.
Same sentiments! My yg 5 motif bracelet looks more like rg as compared to my other yg jewellery from other brands. It is definitely yg from vca as it looks much more yg than the rg necklace I have from vca.
I have been looking a lot at vintage pieces of the Hammered YG. It seems that they oxides and turn more yellow over time. I was surprised at how yellow and dirty they looked compared to brand new pieces.
I think if you give a good clean and use a rouge polishing cloth, you should get some of the oxidation out.
It worked for my RG piece.
Also the ultrasonic works wonders on the hammered and doesn’t damage it.
I think if you give a good clean and use a rouge polishing cloth, you should get some of the oxidation out.
It worked for my RG piece.
Also the ultrasonic works wonders on the hammered and doesn’t damage it.
It’s just tarnish. Nothing to worry about. All karats of gold below 24 can tarnish.
My frivole bracelet was looking a bit dark. Any silver polish will resolve the problem. I use Wright’s silver cream, runs $6-$10 for an 8oz tub.
Here’s a couple progress pics. You can see which motif I’ve polished and which one I haven’t done yet.
Disclaimer: Don’t use silver polish on anything that isn’t gold/silver and hardy non-porous gemstones (perfectly safe for diamond and corundum, not for emeralds/turquoise/lapis/pearl/quartz/etc.)
My frivole bracelet was looking a bit dark. Any silver polish will resolve the problem. I use Wright’s silver cream, runs $6-$10 for an 8oz tub.
Here’s a couple progress pics. You can see which motif I’ve polished and which one I haven’t done yet.
Disclaimer: Don’t use silver polish on anything that isn’t gold/silver and hardy non-porous gemstones (perfectly safe for diamond and corundum, not for emeralds/turquoise/lapis/pearl/quartz/etc.)
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I would suggest erring to a silver polish over rouge - rouge is a slight bit abrasive (it’s the finest abrasive of the commonly-used quartet - used to finish a piece and add a high polish). So you’re actually rubbing a minuscule layer of gold away every time you use it, that’s how it’s so effective against fine scratching. The silver cream isn’t abrasive at all so no gold lost
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So… as @DS2006 mentioned, my SA said it could be the yg changing colour over time. As the new yg pieces at the store are all the exact same shade.
I will bring my old yg pieces in to the store next time to see if a good cleaning will make them appear lighter again.
She doesn’t seem to think it’s due to different batches.
Thank you for sharing.
I actually sent my old necklace for cleaning when I got the bracelet. Cleaning didn’t make it look lighter, at least for my case.
Hello All,
I am in a dilemma and am hoping you can give me some good advice. Last Oct 2022, I ordered the 10 motif hammered yellow gold necklace and matching 5 motif bracelet.
I was lucky and secured the necklace in Dec. The bracelet just came in this week and the color definitely does not match the necklace.
I only wore the necklace a couple of times so I don't think it oxidized.
I asked my SA if they could locate another bracelet but said that was not possible. The bracelet is much lighter in color.
I love the color of the necklace which is deeper. The bracelet almost looks like costume jewelry.
Should I return the bracelet, just live with it, or maybe wait until a matching batch of the hammered yellow gold is made???
Has anyone encountered this issue? If so, what are your recommendations?
Thank you so much in advance.
I am in a dilemma and am hoping you can give me some good advice. Last Oct 2022, I ordered the 10 motif hammered yellow gold necklace and matching 5 motif bracelet.
I was lucky and secured the necklace in Dec. The bracelet just came in this week and the color definitely does not match the necklace.
I only wore the necklace a couple of times so I don't think it oxidized.
I asked my SA if they could locate another bracelet but said that was not possible. The bracelet is much lighter in color.
I love the color of the necklace which is deeper. The bracelet almost looks like costume jewelry.
Should I return the bracelet, just live with it, or maybe wait until a matching batch of the hammered yellow gold is made???
Has anyone encountered this issue? If so, what are your recommendations?
Thank you so much in advance.
I have the same issue with the same 5 motif hammered yellow gold bracelet.
I think the chemical setup for the new batch is making yellow gold seems less yellow. Unlikely VCA is going to go back to the older formulation if the cost is lowered. All businesses will always aim to maximise profits and 1 way of doing so is to reduce cost.
In the end, I just accepted my bracelet and still love it till now. If you find yourself unable to love it as much as you think you will, maybe it is a good idea to switch to a different design. The guilloche version is still more yellow than the hammered version currently.
By the way, real 18k yellow gold jewellery is not going to oxidise within a few years. I do not buy the story of SAs telling us that the older jewellery has oxidised as I do want to believe that VCA is still using real 18k yellow gold in their jewellery instead of 18k yellow plating on 14k yellow gold.
I also don’t believe in the explanation that their yellow gold oxidizes.
This was never an issue until this year. The new batch of yellow gold is definitely lighter.
They most definitely changed the composition.
Mine older pieces are still more yellow after cleaning, just as @kura said.
I was at the store and had to exchange my new yellow gold onyx earrings (for a different reason—defective) and got to choose from 3 different other pairs… and they were all the same lighter shade.
You just have to figure out if you want to live with it.
This was never an issue until this year. The new batch of yellow gold is definitely lighter.
They most definitely changed the composition.
Mine older pieces are still more yellow after cleaning, just as @kura said.
I was at the store and had to exchange my new yellow gold onyx earrings (for a different reason—defective) and got to choose from 3 different other pairs… and they were all the same lighter shade.
You just have to figure out if you want to live with it.
Of course 18k gold can oxidize. It depends on what metals the 25% alloy is comprised of and what environmental conditions are. Any karat of gold of below 24k (no alloy whatsoever) can oxidize.
Any worries that VCA is plating or rolling their gold can be laid to rest - absolutely no possibility. Besides rhodium plating white gold, that is.
You can’t remove oxidation with a normal soap-and-water cleaning. You need a cleanser that is specifically designed to remove oxidation (“tarnish”). See my earlier post for my recommendation and photos.
Any worries that VCA is plating or rolling their gold can be laid to rest - absolutely no possibility. Besides rhodium plating white gold, that is.
You can’t remove oxidation with a normal soap-and-water cleaning. You need a cleanser that is specifically designed to remove oxidation (“tarnish”). See my earlier post for my recommendation and photos.
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This is RG, but I just opened up a six motif that I purchased to add length to my sweet 16, and I was surprised at the difference in color. The new bracelet is on the left and the sweet 16 is on the right. I initially wore the sweet 16 for about 2 weeks, then had it cleaned and put it away in the box until about a month ago, and I wore it once or twice since then.
It’s tarnish.
I have a powerful ultrasonic and it has helped me a lot. Mine is a bit older than yours.
Even my great grandmother jewelry comes back to life with it.
At worse use a gentle polishing cloth or have VCA do it.