Hey!
It's Lexi, the founder of Arcadia. I’ve been making jewelry for the past 6 years, inspired by over 150 years of family passion. It started with my great-grandmother trading baked goods for Native American turquoise pieces in Utah, and my grandma Mary teaching me the art of quality and design. My dream? To inspire women to embrace their true selves with timeless style, celebrating the elegance of American culture.
Stop Buying Gold Plated and Gold Vermeil Jewelry!
If you’ve ever had a piece fade or turn your skin green, I get it—I’ve been there too. That’s why we skip gold-plated and vermeil at Arcadia and focus on 14K gold fill and solid gold. Let’s dive into why our pieces stand out.
The Downside of Gold-Plated Jewelry
Gold-plated jewelry looks nice at first, but it’s just a thin layer (sometimes 0.5 microns) over brass or copper. I learned the hard way when my favorite necklace tarnished in 3 weeks.
- Fades quickly. The gold wears off, exposing the base metal.
- Turns skin green. Oxidation from brass or copper can discolor your skin.
- Not durable. Scratches and sweat wear it down in weeks.
- No value. Barely any gold means no investment worth.
Vermeil: Better, But Not Enough
Vermeil uses sterling silver with a thicker gold layer (2.5 microns), but it still doesn’t match our standards. It wears out over time, and I want our jewelry to be timeless.
Check out this comparison:
Left: gold-plated after 1 month. Right: I've been wearing the 14K gold fill bangles and beaded bracelet since 2021... They're still perfect!
Why We Love 14K Gold Fill
Our 14K gold fill pieces have a thick gold layer—100 times more than plating—and are bonded under heat and pressure. It’s my go-to for everyday luxury.
- Lasts decades. With care, it stays beautiful for years.
- No tarnishing. Unlike plated or vermeil, it holds up.
- Skin-safe. No irritating metals like nickel.
- Affordable. Luxe looks without the solid gold price.
Solid Gold: Our Heirloom Choice
For heirloom pieces, we use solid gold (14K to 24K). The higher the karat, the purer—and I’m proud to offer this.
- Never tarnishes. Pure gold stays pristine.
- Lasts forever. Perfect for passing down.
- Holds value. A real investment.
Pricing
We’re a SMALL business—it’s just me and my husband, Preston. We don’t need to price gouge like other jewelry brands—sometimes you’ll see a 10x markup on gold-plated and vermeil, and that’s just ridiculous. We pride ourselves in fair pricing—you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Plus, everything is handmade by me, and we source everything here in the USA 🇺🇸.
My Promise as OWNER of Arcadia
I promise quality over quick fixes. Gold-plated and vermeil might be cheap upfront, but they fade fast and feel disposable. My grandma always called it "costume jewelry" because it's what she would wear to costume parties😂 Our 14K gold fill and solid gold pieces are built to shine for years.
I can’t wait for you to try some of these pieces! ✨
