Fine jewelry is meant to be worn, loved, and lived in. The pieces we collect over time often mark important moments—celebrations, milestones, and the everyday stories that become part of our lives. With a little thoughtful care, your jewelry can last for generations.

Wear it well. Care for it well.

Here are a few simple ways to keep your fine jewelry looking beautiful for years to come.

Take Jewelry Off During Hands-On Activities

Fine jewelry is durable, but it isn’t indestructible. Activities like gardening, exercising, cleaning, or lifting heavy objects can place unnecessary stress on stones and settings. Removing your rings and bracelets during these moments helps prevent scratches, bent prongs, and loose stones.

Be Mindful of Harsh Chemicals

Household cleaners, bleach, pool chlorine, and hot tub chemicals can be especially damaging to fine jewelry. These harsh chemicals can slowly corrode precious metals, weakening their structure over time. When metal becomes compromised, it can lead to cracking, worn prongs, or stones that no longer sit securely in their settings. It's always best to remove your jewelry before swimming, soaking in a hot tub, or working with strong cleaning products.

Last On, First Off

A simple rule of thumb: jewelry should be the last thing you put on when getting ready and the first thing you take off at the end of the day. Lotions, perfumes, and hair products can build up on metals and gemstones, dulling their natural brilliance over time.

Store Pieces Separately

When jewelry is tossed together in a box or drawer, pieces can scratch or tangle with one another. Storing items separately in soft pouches or a lined jewelry box helps protect delicate surfaces and keeps chains from knotting.

Clean Jewelry Gently

Most fine jewelry can be refreshed with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush. A gentle scrub followed by a rinse and soft cloth dry will restore much of its natural sparkle. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can damage both metal and gemstones.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Just like anything you treasure, jewelry benefits from a little maintenance. Having your pieces professionally cleaned and inspected once a year ensures that prongs are secure, stones are tight, and everything is in its best condition.

Fine jewelry is designed to last a lifetime—and often longer. With a bit of care and attention, the pieces you wear today will continue to tell their stories for years to come.

Gold has long been associated with beauty, luxury, and timeless style. From delicate necklaces to heirloom rings, it’s a go-to metal for jewelry lovers everywhere. So it can feel confusing—and a little disappointing—when something so precious causes redness, itching, or irritation on your skin.

If you’ve ever wondered why your skin reacts to gold, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through what’s really going on.

First Things First: Is It Really the Gold?

Pure gold (often labeled 24 karat) is actually very unlikely to cause skin reactions. It’s a soft, non-reactive metal, which is why it’s often used in medical and dental settings.

However, most jewelry isn’t made from pure gold. To make it stronger and more durable, gold is mixed with other metals—like nickel, copper, or silver. These added metals are usually the real reason behind skin irritation.

 Common Causes of Skin Reactions

Here are a few reasons your “gold” jewelry might be bothering your skin:

1. Metal Allergies (Especially Nickel)
Nickel is a common allergen and is often mixed into gold alloys. If you have a nickel sensitivity, even a small amount can trigger itching, redness, or a rash.

2. Lower Karat Gold
The lower the karat (like 10K or 14K), the less pure gold it contains—and the more alloy metals are present. That increases the chance of irritation.

3. Sweat and Moisture
Sweat can react with the metals in jewelry, causing them to release tiny amounts of irritants. This is why you might notice reactions more in hot weather or during workouts.

4. Lotions, Soaps, and Chemicals
Products like perfumes, lotions, or cleaning agents can interact with your jewelry and your skin, making reactions more likely.

• Zinc-based sunscreen (often labeled as mineral sunscreen) can sometimes leave a film on the skin that interacts with metals, potentially contributing to irritation or discoloration in certain cases.

Your Skin’s pH

Sometimes, the issue isn’t just the jewelry—it’s your skin’s chemistry.

Your skin naturally has a slightly acidic pH, which helps protect against bacteria and environmental irritants. But that pH balance isn’t fixed—it can shift based on what’s happening in your body.

Hormonal changes (like pregnancy, menopause, or even monthly cycles) can alter your skin’s pH and sensitivity.

Medications—including certain antibiotics, hormone therapies, or acne treatments—can also affect how your skin reacts to metals. 

When your pH shifts, it can make your skin more reactive—or even change how metals interact with your skin. That’s why a piece of jewelry you’ve worn for years without issue might suddenly start causing irritation.

 What Do These Reactions Look Like?

Skin reactions to gold jewelry can vary, but often include:

• Redness or rash

• Green or gray discoloration on the skin, that can be washed off.

• Itching or burning sensation

• Dry or scaly patches

• Small blisters (in more sensitive cases)

These symptoms are usually mild but can be uncomfortable.

 What You Can Do About It

If you suspect your gold jewelry is causing irritation, here are some easy steps to try:

Switch to Higher Karat Gold
Look for 18K or 24K gold, which contains fewer alloy metals.

Try Hypoallergenic Options
Metals like platinum, titanium, or surgical-grade stainless steel are less likely to cause reactions.

Keep Jewelry Clean
Regular cleaning helps remove sweat, oils, and product buildup.

Remove Jewelry When Needed
Take off jewelry before exercising, swimming, or applying lotions and perfumes.

Pay Attention to Body Changes
If your skin suddenly becomes more sensitive, consider whether hormones, medications, or lifestyle changes might be playing a role.

Test for Allergies
If reactions persist, a dermatologist can help identify specific metal sensitivities.

Apply a Clean Coat Between The Jewelry and Your Skin
Use a product like Jewelry Shield.

Final Thoughts

Having a reaction to gold jewelry doesn’t mean you have to give it up entirely—it just means your skin might prefer a purer version or a different metal mix—or that your body is going through a temporary shift.

Your skin is simply communicating what works best for it. With a little awareness (and a bit of experimentation), you can still enjoy beautiful jewelry comfortably and confidently.

Have you ever had a reaction to gold or other metals? It’s more common than you think—and definitely manageable with the right approach.

14K White Gold

• White gold is an alloy created by mixing yellow gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, or silver.
• 14K gold contains 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other metals.
• Because the metal naturally has a slight yellow tint, most white gold jewelry is coated with rhodium, a bright white metal that enhances its color and shine. Over time this coating wears down and typically needs reapplying every 2–3 years, which involves a cost.

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Platinum

• Platinum jewelry is made primarily from the naturally white precious metal platinum.
• Most pieces are 90–95% pure platinum, combined with small amounts of other metals to improve strength.
• Platinum is very durable and dense, making it an excellent choice for long-lasting jewelry. Because the metal is naturally white, it does not require rhodium plating.
• Choosing platinum typically increases the price by about 20–30% compared to 14K white gold.

For these reasons platinum is the best option if it fits your budget.

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Sterling Silver

• Sterling silver is an alloy made primarily of silver mixed with other metals, usually copper.
• It contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, which improve strength and durability. For this reason, many pieces are stamped “925.”
• This metal has a bright white appearance, but it can tarnish over time when exposed to air, moisture, or sulfur (such as from well water). Tarnish can usually be removed with regular cleaning or polishing.
• It is more affordable than both white gold and platinum, but also softer and less durable, making it more prone to scratches and bending over time.

Reusing old gold in new jewelry casting sounds simple in theory, but in practice it can be surprisingly complicated. As a jeweler, I’m often asked why we don’t simply melt down existing jewelry and use it directly to create something new. The short answer is that old gold has already been through previous manufacturing processes, and that can introduce several challenges that affect the quality of the final piece.

One of the biggest issues is alloy composition. Most jewelry is not made from pure gold; it’s mixed with other metals like copper, silver, nickel, or zinc to create different colors and strengths. When multiple pieces of old jewelry are melted together, their exact metal compositions are usually unknown. This makes it difficult to control the final alloy, which can lead to unexpected color differences, hardness issues, or unpredictable casting behavior.

Contamination is another common problem. Old jewelry may contain solder from previous repairs, polishing compounds, or tiny amounts of other metals that were introduced during wear and maintenance. Even small traces of these materials can create defects during casting, such as brittleness, porosity, or surface imperfections.

There’s also the issue of metal degradation. Each time gold alloys are melted, certain alloying elements—especially those with lower melting points like zinc—can burn off or oxidize. Over time this alters the balance of the alloy and can make the metal less stable and more difficult to cast properly.

Because of these factors, directly reusing old gold can sometimes result in casting defects like pits, trapped gas bubbles, or weak spots in the metal. These issues may not be visible right away but can affect the long-term durability of the finished piece.

At Everthine, our goal is to create jewelry that is meant to last forever. To achieve that level of quality and longevity, we have to be very careful about the materials we use in the casting process. In many cases that means refining old gold back to a purer state or carefully blending it with fresh casting grain so we can control the alloy and ensure consistent results.

We love the sentiment behind repurposing heirloom jewelry, and we always do our best to incorporate meaningful materials whenever possible. At the same time, we want to ensure that every piece we create meets the highest standards for strength, beauty, and longevity.

For clients who have old or unused gold, Everthine also offers a program where we can purchase your gold and apply the value as a credit toward your custom project. This allows you to still benefit from the value of your existing jewelry while ensuring that the new piece is made with carefully controlled, high-quality materials.

By taking extra care during the casting process—and offering flexible options for repurposing old jewelry—we can create pieces that not only carry your story forward but are also strong enough to be worn and loved for generations to come.

Everthine Jewelry + Fine Jewelry

SHOP THE COLLECTION

The permanent jewelry trend began in Brooklyn, New York, Paris and Los Angeles in about 2018 and was brought to Minneapolis in 2021 by Everthine Jewelry. The ease of having a dainty piece of jewelry that is almost weightless, with a little sparkle, and no need to struggle with a clasp-- has drawing people to Everthine Jewelry ever since.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Permanent jewelry is also known as 'forever jewelry' and the action of welding is often referred to as “getting zapped.” Mothers and daughters, best friends, and partners make appointments to come in together. But, also people come to Everthine to treat themselves to something gold at a price point that is accessible.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Guests wanting a permanent jewelry service book a 15 or 30 minute appointment depending on the size of their group, through the Everthine Jewelry website. At the appointment, you'll choose from a variety of sterling silver and solid 14k yellow gold chains in yellow, rose and white gold. Everthine Jewelry owner, Aisha Formanski then custom fits the chain and welds it closed creating a clasp-less, seamless accessory.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Everthine Jewelry / Aisha Formanski is a Minneapolis jewelry artist who has been creating handmade jewelry for more than 25 years. The Everthine Jewelry studio is located in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District at the historic Casket Arts Building.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Pricing starts are $40, and goes up to $200 for bracelets. Necklaces are charged by the inch and range from $80 - $360 depending on the length and chain style selected. Please message me for a quote if you're interested.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Everthine Ever Mine Permanent Fused Bracelets are now available! These are permanent bracelets that are fused/welded on to create a seamless, clasp-less bracelets. These dainty chain bracelets are available in 14k gold and sterling silver. 

What if I want more than one Ever Mine Bracelet?

When you make your appointment you'll need to choose one style fo chain. During your appointment you can choose additional chains for an additional fee. No problem!

Where is your studio?

My studio is located in the Casket Arts Building in Northeast Minneapolis. The address is 681 17th Ave NE, Minneapolis MN 55413. The main entrance is on 17th Ave NE. You can locate the door by the two large planters on either side of it. Come in and up to the second floor to studio 202. 

How long is an appointment?

I can take one person per 15 minute appointment. But, there is no limit on how many bracelets per appointment.

When should I arrive?

Each appointment lasts for approximately 15 min, and I recommend coming a bit early so you're ready for your appointment.

What if I'm late?

If you are late I may need to reschedule your appointment. It will all depend on if there are appointments after yours. Your tardiness can not push back everyone else's appointment. If an appointment is missed (no show, no message), there will be no refunds.

How much does it cost?

Pricing starts are $30, and goes up to $140. This is for a chain bracelet between 6”-8”. If you would like an anklet or longer chain there will be an additional fee to cover the additional cost of the chain.

 What does “fused bracelet" mean?

I will weld on a custom fitted chain bracelet to your wrist using an easy, painless process. Because the bracelet is fused on, it does not have a clasp and therefore will "permanently" stay on (until you decide to remove it).  

What bracelet options do you have?

I offer 14k Gold and Sterling Silver (please see important info on sterling silver below) chains.

There are no appointments available! Do you take walk ins?

For now I am not taking walk-ins. If you're unable to nab one of the time slots you are welcome to come and roll the dice. There may be extra time, or last minute changes to the schedule. You never know! 

What if I want it off?

It's easy to remove your bracelet. You can clip the chain with a finger nail trimmer or scissors.

Sterling Silver

If you choose a sterling silver option, you should know a few things about sterling silver. Sterling is an alloy of fine silver and copper. The copper in sterling makes it strong, but can cause a few inconveniences. Rarely some people react to sterling, causing their skin to turn green. This is easily resolved by washing off the green tint on your skin with soap. The second thing that can happen with sterling is that it can turn grey when it comes into contact with bleach, or hot tub/pool chemicals. The grey can be removed with a Pro Polish Pad.

What if my bracelet breaks or stretches?

Don't worry- though hardy, gold and sterling does have their limits-  if your piece breaks or stretches just keep the chain and contact me to schedule a repair for a small fee (no need to schedule a separate appointment unless you'd like to add another chain anyways.) 

I have a large group. Can I set up a time for us to come in?

Yes, I am happy to accommodate large group. We will work together to find a date and time that works for you. You will need to fulfill a minimum of $400 of Ever Mine Bracelets. The amount of people is flexible. A $50 non-refundable deposit will be due at the time of booking.

Covid-19

In an effort to keep our community healthy I am requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination. Please bring your photo ID and vaccination card with you to your appointment. In addition, I ask that you wear a N95 or KN95 mask because we will be sitting very close to one another while your bracelets is being fused. I will have masks available just in case.

I stay pretty quiet about the gears that make everything turn at Everthine. Not of purpose. I think I just get wrapped up in it, and would rather fill my social media feed with beautiful images of jewelry. But, I shared this image of me with a tower of shipping boxes in my Stories and it had more interaction than most. So, I thought I would start sharing more of the behind the scenes around here at Everthine.
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Prior to the pandemic I was participating in 24 art shows a year. Most of my sales were done face to face out in our community. And, I loved it that way. Once we went into shut down in March of 2020, all art shows were cancelled. I pivoted, and began offering everything I make online. But, I knew that simply putting my jewelry online didn't guarantee anyone would ever find it. So, I started taking online classes, reading books and listening to podcasts all about how to improve my small business. There has been a ton to learn, but I'm now really enjoying having my business online. And, with shows coming back, I'll now be able to do both! My business is stronger than it's ever been, and I'm super proud. But, I couldn't have done any of this without you! Thank you for standing by me during the scariest time of my business life, when I thought I might lose it all.
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If you're a small business owner who is looking for support. I would highly recommend One Mill School.
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Podcasts:
The Product Boss Podcast
Ecommerce Badassery Podcast
Commerce Tea Podcast
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Books:
Art Inc. by Lisa Congdon
Being Boss by Kathleen Shannon and Emily Thompson
Work like a Boss by Nancy Lyons
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If you're looking for an alternative to Uline, I highly recommend Brown & Pratt.