Solid Gold, Gold Filled, Gold Vermeil and Gold Plated - What's the difference?
Four different things get called "gold jewellery." They're not the same thing.

Here's what each one actually is…
Solid gold - Gold all the way through. Never tarnishes, never needs replating. A solid gold Anna chain would cost
several thousand dollars.

Gold filled - thick gold layer bonded to a brass core. More durable than plating. The brass underneath can still cause
reactions for sensitive skin.

Gold vermeil - Sterling silver base, gold plating on top. Hypoallergenic base, but silver can tarnish through the plating
over time.

Gold plated stainless steel - what Other Things uses. Stainless steel base, gold plating on top. The steel doesn't
tarnish, and doesn't react with skin. The waterproof claim comes from the steel, not the gold.

18k is the gold purity. Stainless steel is what's underneath. The steel is what actually matters.

18k means the plating material is 75% gold. 24k is purer but softer. 9k is harder but paler. 18k is where the colour
and durability are both good.

Over years, yes - slowly, at high-contact points. When stainless steel plating thins, what's underneath is more
stainless steel. Still wearable, still hypoallergenic. Ultrasonic cleaners and chlorine speed it up. Showers and sweat
don't.

The brief for Other Things was jewellery you don't have to take off. Stainless steel with 18k gold plating is the combination that makes that possible without the price of solid gold.

Worth it?
For daily wear - yes.
For something to pass down - get solid gold.

Yes. Shower, ocean, gym - all fine. Stainless steel doesn't react with water. The gold plating will thin slowly over
years at high-contact points - the underside of a bracelet clasp, for example. That's wear, not a defect. It takes a long
time and it's not a reason to take anything off.

But not everything in the collection gets the waterproof claim.
Here's the breakdown:

Our gold and silver items are designed to be lived in.

Items made in enamel, pearl, stone or beads - need special care as they are not solid metal. Wipe these ones clean, avoid prolonged exposure to water and perfumes.

If in doubt, check out the care instructions on each item.

Core collection & gold/steel charms: shower, swim, gym, sleep in it. That's the whole point.

Beads & enamel/pearl/stone charms: a soft cloth after wear, on for the day, off before the pool.

Everything, eventually: avoid perfumes and harsh cleaners - they wear plating down faster than ordinary life ever will.

If a piece can genuinely carry the waterproof claim, it does. If it can't, we say so.