Gold Jewelry Guide: Materials, Styles, and Care
Learn how gold tone, metal construction, and finish shape each Kendra Scott design, then explore styling and care guidance for your piece.
find your gold
Gold jewelry is about more than the color you see. Yellow, white, and rose describe its tone, while terms such as gold over brass, gold-filled, Gold Vermeil, and solid 14K gold tell you how the piece is made.
- Yellow, white, and rose describe the visible metal tone.
- Gold over brass, gold-filled, Gold Vermeil, and solid gold describe the metal construction.
- Color alone does not identify what a piece is made from.
What does gold mean in Kendra Scott jewelry?
Two pieces can share a similar gold tone and still be made in different ways. When comparing styles, look at the color you see, the construction listed in the product details, and the finish that gives the surface its character.
Kendra Scott offers gold jewelry across several collections. Fashion Jewelry may feature 14K Yellow or Rose Gold over Brass, Kendra Scott Ever uses 14K Yellow Gold-Filled construction, and Demi-Fine Jewelry includes 18K Yellow and Rose Gold Vermeil over Sterling Silver. Fine Jewelry is crafted with solid 14K gold in Yellow, White, and select Rose Gold designs. Before choosing or cleaning your jewelry, check the listed materials or visit About Our Metals for more guidance.
Compare Kendra Scott gold jewelry constructions
| Feature | Fashion Jewelry | Kendra Scott Ever | Demi-Fine Jewelry | Fine Jewelry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold construction | 14K Gold over Brass | 14K Gold-Filled | 18K Gold Vermeil | Solid 14K Gold |
| How the metal is constructed | A plated finish over a brass base | A layer of gold bonded to a brass core | A layer of gold over a Sterling Silver base | A gold alloy throughout rather than a gold layer over another metal |
| Wear considerations | Protect from water, exercise, soaps, personal-care products, and household cleaners. | Designed for frequent everyday wear; follow after-exposure cleaning guidance. | Protect from water, exercise, soaps, personal-care products, and household cleaners. | Remove before swimming and physical activity; check additional component care. |
Yellow, white, and rose gold tones
Start with the gold tone you love—Yellow, White, or Rose—then take a quick look at how the piece is made. Jewelry with a similar color may be plated, gold-filled, Gold Vermeil, or solid gold, so the product details will help you know exactly what you’re choosing.
Yellow gold
Yellow Gold is the classic, warm tone many people picture when they think of gold jewelry. At Kendra Scott, you’ll find it across several constructions, including 14K Yellow Gold over Brass, 14K Yellow Gold-Filled, 18K Yellow Gold Vermeil, and solid 14K Yellow Gold.
Its golden warmth pairs easily with clear stones, colorful materials, pearls, and metal-only designs.
White gold
White Gold is a beautiful choice if you prefer a cooler, silvery tone. At Kendra Scott, it appears in Fine Jewelry as solid 14K White Gold . Some designs also include rhodium plating for an even brighter surface.
Although White Gold can look similar to Sterling Silver or Rhodium over Brass, they are different materials. A quick look at the product details will help you understand exactly what you’re choosing.
Rose gold
Rose Gold brings a soft blush tone to your jewelry collection. At Kendra Scott, you’ll find that color in 14K Rose Gold over Brass, 18K Rose Gold Vermeil over Sterling Silver, and select solid 14K Rose Gold designs.
These pieces may share a similar rosy glow, but their materials and care needs are different. Before cleaning or storing your piece, take a quick look at whether it is Fashion, Demi-Fine, or Fine Jewelry.
Gold jewelry with stones and color
Gold creates a warm backdrop for glass, crystal, pearls, gemstones, and other colorful materials. If a stone catches your eye, take a quick look at the product details to see exactly what it is made from. Similar-looking stones may use different materials and need different care.
How to choose gold jewelry
Start with what catches your eye, then look at how the piece fits into your everyday routine. A few simple details—tone, construction, materials, scale, and fit—can help you find jewelry you’ll feel good wearing.
- Choose a tone you love. Yellow Gold has a warm golden color, White Gold offers a cooler silvery look, and Rose Gold brings a soft blush tone. Your favorite colors and the jewelry you already wear are a great place to start.
- See how it’s made. Check whether the piece is gold over brass, gold-filled, Gold Vermeil, or solid 14K gold. Pieces with a similar color can have different constructions and care needs.
- Look for additional plating. Some 14K White Gold designs include rhodium plating for a brighter surface. The product details will tell you the complete construction.
- Check every material. Stones, pearls, enamel, cords, and other details can affect how a piece should be worn, cleaned, and stored.
- Find your scale and finish. Think about whether you prefer delicate or substantial proportions and smooth, hammered, filigree, or vintage-inspired details.
- Get the fit right. Review necklace length, bracelet adjustability, ring size, earring dimensions, and closure details before choosing.
There’s no need to choose just one gold tone for your entire collection. Wear Yellow, White, and Rose Gold separately, or bring them together through similar shapes, textures, and proportions.
How to style gold jewelry
Gold can be a quiet foundation or the focal point of a look. Start with one piece you love, then build around its shape, texture, or proportions.
Gold necklaces
Give each necklace its own space by varying chain lengths. A shorter pendant can sit above a longer chain, while repeated link shapes or similar pendant proportions help the layers feel connected. If one necklace is substantial, keep the surrounding layers lighter.
Gold earrings
Let the scale of your earrings guide the rest of your jewelry. A sculptural hoop or statement earring may need only a delicate necklace, while studs and huggies leave room for stronger layers elsewhere. For an ear stack, repeat a curve, stone color, or metal texture across different sizes.
Gold bracelets
Build a stack by combining different widths while maintaining a shared detail. A hammered cuff can sit beside a smooth chain bracelet, while a wider bracelet can be balanced with slimmer pieces. Leave enough room for each design to remain visible.
Gold and mixed metals
Gold and silver tones can be worn together. Start with a two-tone piece or repeat a similar shape, texture, or scale across both colors to make the combination feel intentional. Explore the Mixed Metal Jewelry Styling Guide for more ideas.
How to care for gold jewelry
Choose a care method based on metal construction, not color alone. Yellow, white, and rose gold pieces may look different while sharing the same construction—or look similar while requiring different care.
- Fashion Jewelry: Protect Yellow Gold over Brass and Rose Gold over Brass from water, exercise, soaps, personal-care products, and household cleaners. Store each piece dry and separately.
- Kendra Scott Ever: Gently clean 14K Yellow Gold-Filled jewelry with soap and warm water after swimming, exercising, or exposure to personal-care or household products. Wipe it with a soft cloth and dry it completely.
- Demi-Fine Jewelry: Protect Yellow and Rose Gold Vermeil from water, exercise, soaps, personal-care products, and cleaning products. Do not use silver cleaner on Gold Vermeil.
- Fine Jewelry: Solid 14K Yellow, White, and Rose Gold can be washed with gentle soap, rinsed thoroughly, and dried completely with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh dips and polishes, and remove Fine Jewelry before swimming or exercising.
If a 14K White Gold product lists rhodium plating, follow its product-specific instructions rather than using an abrasive polish. Stones, pearls, cords, and other components may also need additional care. Visit the Everyday Jewelry Care Guide for routine cleaning and storage tips, and review the Kendra Scott Jewelry Care & Repair Policy before cleaning your piece.
Explore polished chains, colorful pendants, and layering styles across a range of gold constructions.
Find hoops, huggies, and open-frame shapes that bring smooth surfaces or expressive texture to your look.
Explore cuffs, chains, stretch bracelets, and adjustable styles for wearing alone or building a gold bracelet stack.
Frequently asked questions
Not always—and that’s where the product details can help. Kendra Scott offers several gold constructions across Fashion Jewelry, Kendra Scott Ever, Demi-Fine Jewelry, and Fine Jewelry. These include 14K Yellow or Rose Gold over Brass, 14K Yellow Gold-Filled, 18K Gold Vermeil, and solid 14K gold. Check the selected piece’s materials to see exactly how it is made.
The main difference is what is beneath the gold and how the piece is constructed. Gold over brass has a layer of gold applied over a brass base. Gold-filled jewelry has a thicker layer of gold bonded to a brass core. Gold Vermeil has a layer of gold over Sterling Silver, while solid 14K gold is made from a gold alloy throughout. Visit About Our Metals for a closer look at each material.
The easiest place to start is the product page or the materials information supplied with your piece. Look for the full construction, such as 14K Gold over Brass, 14K Gold-Filled, 18K Gold Vermeil, or solid 14K gold. The color alone cannot tell you what the jewelry is made from, so consult About Our Metals if you need help with the terminology.
It depends on the piece’s construction and your daily routine. Kendra Scott Ever is designed for frequent everyday wear. Fashion Jewelry and Demi-Fine Jewelry benefit from a break before showering, swimming, exercising, or using soaps and personal-care products. Whatever you choose, following the recommended care instructions can help keep your piece looking its best.
Some gold constructions are better suited to water exposure than others. Keep Fashion Jewelry and Gold Vermeil out of the shower and pool. Kendra Scott Ever gold-filled jewelry is designed with everyday exposure in mind, but should be gently cleaned after swimming or exercise. Remove Fine Jewelry before swimming and physical activity to help protect its finish, stones, and other components. Review the Kendra Scott Jewelry Care & Repair Policy for complete guidance.
Start by checking the piece’s exact construction, since one cleaning method will not suit every type of gold jewelry. Kendra Scott Ever gold-filled jewelry can be gently cleaned with soap and warm water, while Fine Jewelry can be washed with gentle soap, rinsed thoroughly, and dried completely with a soft cloth. Before cleaning Fashion Jewelry, Gold Vermeil, or a piece with stones, pearls, or other materials, review the Everyday Jewelry Care Guide and the Kendra Scott Jewelry Care & Repair Policy.