FAQ

WHERE IS CATHY POPE JEWELLERY MADE?
Cathy Pope Jewellery is 100% New Zealand designed with chains, gemstones and set pieces sourced from around the world. Cathy designs and combines the components for the necklaces herself in her Auckland studio.  A team of highly skilled jewellers in India hand-make the high quality earrings, rings and pendant settings. Cathy visits India every year to ensure that working conditions are ethical are not compromised and that her high quality standards continue to be achieved. She works closely 

WHY DOESN’T MY STONE LOOK LIKE THE ONE IN THE PHOTO?
Each stone is individual so there may be some slight variations is colour and size. These semi-precious gemstones aren’t as hard as precious gemstones like diamonds. Therefore they may have some subtle inclusions, marks or chips. In all cases I attempt to use the best quality stones I have available. Each item is made to order.

WHAT IS GOLDFILL?
Gold Filled chain is a thick (about 25mm) solid layer of quality gold heat bonded onto an internal semi-precious metal by advanced mechanical process. It has all the great characteristics of solid gold jewellery without the price tag.

Please do not compare gold filled jewellery to plated jewellery (usually only 3 mm layer) as there is no comparison, gold filled is much more valuable and tarnish resistant than plated. It does not flake off, tarnish or discolour. It is extremely long lasting and if taken care of will last you a lifetime. Gold filled jewellery is an economical alternative to solid gold jewellery!

Gold-filled offers all the same physical characteristics as solid Gold such as beauty, durability, and strength, but at a fraction of the cost. In most cases it’s hyper allergenic.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOLD PLATING AND GOLD VERMEIL?
With gold-plated, there is a base metal of steel or brass which is then dipped in gold to create a thin layer. The gold is known to wear off eventually. Anyone who is allergic to the base metal may experience a skin reaction, such as a black rubbing or rash if they are allergic to the metal underneath.  Gold-filled is actually better quality than gold-plated. The base metal is still brass or copper, but the outside of the piece bonds with sheets of gold, usually 14 karat. The sheets of 14 karat will not peel off and offer a less-expensive alternative to solid 14 karat gold. With vermeil jewellery, the base metal used has to be sterling silver, which is much better for those who have skin allergies to other base metals. The silver is then gold-plated, but with a thicker coating, often as much as 50% thicker than a traditional gold-plated piece. While less expensive than solid gold jewellery, using this technique is still more expensive than either gold-plated or gold-filled, as the price of gold and sterling silver brings the cost up a bit. Since the finish can tarnish, the best way to protect it is with a soft cloth. It is best not to treat the finish with chemicals as the gold is removable and should be stored in an airtight container.

WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL?
Stainless steel jewellery is a perfect solution for jewellery that suits cooler skin tones. Its inexpensive, very strong, shiny and hyper allergenic.

Use non-abrasive cleaning materials. If a cleaning substance is too strong it may remove the gold.

WHAT IF I BUY A NECKLACE OR EARRINGS ONLINE AND THEY DON’T SUIT ME?
We understand that buying online means you don’t get to try it on. So we’ve decided to offer a 7 day money back guarantee. if you decide you don’t like it and it’s in perfect condition ie no chips or breakages then we are happy to offer you 100% of your money back. This does not apply if jewellery is broken or chipped.

ARE YOUR GEMSTONES TREATED OR COLOUR ENHANCED?

Yes – In the jewellery industry, it’s standard for many gemstones to be enhanced through treatments such as heat, dye, or oiling. Heat treatment, for example, has been used for centuries to intensify or stabilise colour in sapphires, rubies, and topaz. Dyeing is often used for porous stones like agate or turquoise to achieve richer shades. These methods are widely accepted, permanent in most cases, and help make high-quality, affordable jewellery more accessible. 

ARE YOUR STONES DYED?

All of the stones we use are natural, but some inconsistencies can occur with nature and to maintain a smooth colour dyes can often be used to achieve brighter or more uniform shades. You can usually spot it because the colour looks very vivid or too perfect. We prefer natural shades – we love the subtle messiness of inconsistencies but customers prefer their products to look like the photographs so we need to achieve a baseline similarity. 

HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY JEWELLERY?

To keep your jewellery looking its best:

• Always remove it before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping.
• Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, and household cleaners.
• Store it in a pouch or box when not being worn, to prevent scratches and tangling.
• Clean gently with a soft cloth.
• For more detail refer to our CARE instructions. 

DO YOU USE SOLID GOLD?

Most of our pieces are crafted in gold vermeil (a thick layer of gold over sterling silver) or sterling silver. This allows us to create bold, luxurious jewellery that is more affordable than solid gold, while still being high-quality and durable. We’re always transparent about materials, so you’ll find full details in each product description.

DO YOU SHIP WORLDWIDE?

Yes! We send Cathy Pope Jewellery all over the world. Shipping times and costs vary by country, and you’ll see all the details at checkout.