Jewelry Guide
Care, Sizing, Materials and Gifting

Jewelry Information FAQs

• What can I learn from the James Avery jewelry guides?

  Explore helpful information about finding your bracelet, ring or necklace size and gift ideas for every person and occasion. Learn more about the metals, gemstones, and birthstones we use in our designs and all the jewelry services we offer in-store and online. You’ll also find care and cleaning tips, our engraving guide and glossary of common jewelry terms. These resources are here to help you choose, wear and care for your James Avery jewelry.

• How do I choose the right type of jewelry?

  Consider how and where the jewelry will be worn. Rings and bracelets require a comfortable fit, while earrings, charms, pendants and necklaces offer a variety of ways to style and wear them. It also helps to know if you like wearing smaller, more minimal designs or layering on many designs at a time. Your daily routine, the occasion and how personalized you want your look to be can also guide your choice.

  If you’re choosing for someone else, our gift guides are a helpful place to begin, with thoughtfully curated gift ideas for different recipients, personalities and occasions.

• What materials are used in James Avery jewelry?

  James Avery jewelry is crafted in solid sterling silver or 14K gold. Because some people are allergic to the common metal nickel, we use copper in place of nickel as the alloying agent in our sterling silver.

  While solid sterling silver and 14K gold are the metals we use most often, some designs are crafted in a mix of metals for artful contrast: including bronze, copper, stainless steel and titanium.

  Many of our designs also feature gemstones, pearls, diamonds or colorful enamel. Metals and gemstones vary by design, so we recommend reviewing the product details before making your selection.

• How do I choose between sterling silver and gold jewelry?

  Consider your preferred color, the jewelry you already wear, your care routine and how often you plan to wear the design. Sterling silver offers a cool, bright appearance, while yellow gold has a warm tone. Both can be worn for years with proper care and cleaning.

• What do markings such as 925 and 14K mean on jewelry?

  Jewelry markings identify the metal content or the maker. A 925 mark indicates that a design is made with sterling silver containing at least 92.5% silver. A 14K mark means the gold alloy contains 14 parts gold out of 24. All James Avery designs also include our maker’s mark: the candelabra.

• What is the difference between natural and lab-created gemstones?

  Natural gemstones form within the earth, while lab-created gemstones are crystallized under controlled conditions. Lab-created gemstones are not imitations. They have the same optical, physical and chemical properties as their natural counterparts. James Avery Jewelry does not use any imitation or artificial gemstones. Our product pages detail the type of gemstone used in each design.

• What is the difference between a charm and a pendant?

  A charm is generally designed to be attached to a bracelet, necklace or another compatible design. A pendant is usually designed to hang from a chain or necklace and is too heavy or large to be worn on a bracelet. We recommend reviewing the product details to learn how a specific charm or pendant is intended to be worn.

• Can sterling silver and gold jewelry be worn together?

  Yes. Combining the cool tone of sterling silver with the warmth of gold can create a beautiful contrast between the two metals and creates timeless layered look. You can begin with a mixed-metal design or repeat both metals throughout your jewelry to bring the look together. The possibilities are endless!

• What should I consider when choosing jewelry for everyday wear?

  Consider the fit, metal, gemstone hardness, setting and activities that are part of your day. Designs with comfortable profiles and secure settings are the most practical for frequent wear. Jewelry should be removed before swimming, showering or physical activities that expose it to chemicals, hard surfaces or equipment.