Frequently Asked Questions

Which earrings are best for sensitive ears?

The ones made without nickel, the most common metal allergy. Shopping for hypoallergenic earrings means looking for titanium, platinum, stainless steel, or 14K and higher gold labeled nickel-free. So, is sterling silver hypoallergenic? It can be, when the silver is nickel-free, so check the label. On this rail, the best earrings for sensitive ears are the 14K gold heart hoops (nickel- and lead-free) and the red birthstone studs in nickel-free sterling silver. Costume pieces can contain nickel, so save them for shorter nights if your ears are fussy.

What does 925 sterling silver mean?

It's the purity stamp. Pieces marked 925 sterling silver are 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metal, usually copper, because pure silver is too soft to hold its shape in a ring or an earring. So if you're asking what is 925 sterling silver, the short answer is real silver, made strong enough to wear every day. Look for the 925 stamp. Our ring sets, the teddy bear charms and the green peridot drops are all 925.

Does sterling silver tarnish?

Yes, slowly, and it wipes away. The answer to does sterling silver tarnish comes down to chemistry: the silver reacts with sulfur, moisture and air and forms a dull layer, and perfume, sweat and humidity speed it up. The copper in the mix is also why people ask does sterling silver turn skin green; it can react with sweat, lotion or soap and leave a harmless mark that washes off. Want tarnish free jewelry? Stainless steel resists it best, like the snowflake studs on this rail. For silver, wear it often and store each piece on its own in an anti-tarnish bag with a silica gel pack.

How do you clean tarnished sterling silver?

Start gentle and work up. For light dullness, a silver polishing cloth does most of the work. Wondering how to clean sterling silver that has gone darker? Soak it for 5 to 10 minutes in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. For stubborn spots, mix baking soda with a little water into a soft paste, rub it on in small circles with light pressure, then rinse and dry completely; that is how to clean tarnished silver without scratching it. Skip toothpaste, bleach and paper towels, and keep pearls out of the soak.

Can you shower or swim in your jewelry?

Shower, maybe. Pool, no. Whether a piece counts as waterproof jewelry comes down to the metal: stainless steel, platinum and 18K solid gold resist tarnish best, while silver and plated pieces dull faster when they stay wet. Can you shower with sterling silver? An occasional rinse won't ruin it, but soap leaves a film and moisture speeds tarnish, so take it off first. Chlorine in pools and hot tubs is harsher and can pit the metal, and salt air speeds tarnish too, so leave the sparkle on the towel when you swim.

What is cubic zirconia, and is it a real diamond?

It's a lab-made gem, not a diamond. If you're wondering what is cubic zirconia exactly, it's the crystal form of zirconium dioxide, made in a lab and used as a diamond look-alike since the late 1970s. It scores 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale against a diamond's 10, so it's a little softer, and it throws more colored sparkle, or fire, than a diamond does. That's the stone in our sterling silver ring sets: all the shine for a much smaller price.

Cubic zirconia or moissanite: what's the difference?

Price, hardness and the kind of sparkle. In the cubic zirconia vs moissanite match-up, moissanite is silicon carbide, scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale and throws a stronger rainbow flash, while cubic zirconia is zirconium dioxide at 8 to 8.5, with a softer shine closer to a diamond's. Moissanite resists scratches better; cubic zirconia costs a fraction of the price. Both are diamond alternatives, and the ring sets on this rail use cubic zirconia, with created sapphires and one genuine morganite in the mix.

Gold plated or gold filled: what's the difference?

The thickness of the gold. Gold filled pieces carry at least 5% solid gold by weight, bonded to the core in a thick layer, and last for years with regular wear. Plated pieces have a far thinner layer, around half a micron, electroplated over a base metal like brass. That's why the answer to does gold plated jewelry tarnish is yes, eventually: the thin layer wears through and the base metal shows. In the gold plated vs gold filled debate, plated wins on price and filled wins on lifespan, so keep plated pieces away from water, sweat and perfume.

How do you layer necklaces?

Start short, finish long, and give each piece room. The golden rule for how to layer necklaces is to space the lengths at least two inches apart, building from a piece at the base of the neck down to a longer chain or pendant. Two to four pieces looks balanced; more than that starts to crowd. Let one piece be the focal point, keep the others simpler, and mix textures like chain, pearls and charms. Gold and silver together is a look; matching metals is a cleaner one.

Jewelry

Earrings that start the conversation, rings that end it with a yes, and pearls that walk in before you do. Welcome to the sparkle department at TGC Boutique, where womens jewelry comes with a little attitude and a lot of shine. From sterling silver ring sets to rhinestone hoops in every color of the party, this is jewelry for women who want to be noticed, then remembered.

Big look, small price tag: this is affordable jewelry that never looks it, and cheap jewelry only in the price, never in the shine. Stack it, gift it, wear it to brunch, wear it to bed. Nobody's checking.

Turned all the way up

Some pieces whisper. Ours prefer a microphone. On this rail, fashion jewelry means chunky door knockers in gold, silver, red, yellow and black, multicolor rhinestone hoops that catch every light, and a chunky rhinestone collar that makes a plain black dress look like a decision. Call it costume jewelry if you like; the costume is the outfit, and these pieces are the main character.

When one piece should do all the talking, statement jewelry is the move. And when the dress code says sparkle, our rhinestone jewelry delivers it from earlobe to collarbone without blowing the budget.

Real silver, real sparkle

Then there's the good stuff. All the sterling silver jewelry here is real 925, set with simulated diamonds, created sapphires and, on one very special ring, a genuine morganite. The ring sets are the headliners: art deco, vintage-inspired, princess cut and round, ready for the proposal, the promise or the "I bought it for myself" moment.

Teddy bear charms, a peridot drop and red birthstone studs round out the silver jewelry edit, and every piece is made to look like it cost twice as much. Who said high quality jewelry needs a scary receipt? It has to look this good in the photo.

Pearls, but make it sexy

Forget your grandmother's single strand. Seven handcrafted pearl pieces on this rail fall over the shoulders, wrap the collarbone and turn a strapless dress into a moment, which is pearl jewelry the way it should be worn. The 2-tier gold layered style adds a lock pendant for anyone who likes her pearls with an edge.

Kind to sensitive skin

Sensitive ears deserve sparkle too. For hypoallergenic jewelry, look to the 14K gold heart hoops (nickel- and lead-free), the red birthstone studs in nickel-free sterling silver, and the teddy bear earrings and bracelet in anti-allergenic 925 sterling. Pretty, and polite to your skin.

Gift it, match it, stack it

Buying for her? Make it a set. Pair the sterling teddy bear earrings with the matching charm bracelet and pendant, and you've built one of the cutest jewelry sets on the internet, no wrapping skills required. For the new mom, the personalized baby name bracelet comes in gold, rose gold or platinum-plated.

Shop by category: earrings, necklaces, ring sets and bracelets. Finish the look with handbags and high heels, or browse all accessories.