Yellow Gold Filigree Crosses

Filigree is openwork: the metal is pierced into scrolls and curls so light passes through the cross rather than reflecting off a flat face. It makes a large cross look light and wear light, because much of the face is air. The tradeoff is that openwork has more edges to catch, so it rewards a little care.

Yellow gold is the color gold comes out of the ground, warmed by the copper and silver it is alloyed with for strength. It is the traditional choice for a religious piece and the one most often asked for by name.

Gold does not tarnish. Warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth are the whole routine. Take it off before a chlorinated pool.

Filigree is openwork — the metal is pierced into scrolls and curls so the cross is open rather than solid-faced. Light passes through it, which makes a large cross read as delicate and wear lighter than its size suggests. Because there are more edges, openwork is worth taking off before rough work.

Yes. 14K is 58.3% pure gold, alloyed with copper and silver for strength, and every piece is stamped 14K. Pure 24K gold is too soft to hold a cross arm or a bail, which is why fine jewelry is alloyed.

Every gold piece is stamped with its karat and every sterling piece with .925, and the stamp is the guarantee. Lovely Rita's has sold fine jewelry since 2001 and lists the metal, purity and construction in the specifications on each product page.

Bail sizes across this range fit standard chains, so a piece here will generally hang on a chain you already have. Each product page lists the bail measurement where the supplier provides it. A heavier cross is steadier on a slightly thicker chain, simply because a fine chain shows the weight.

Judge it against the wearer rather than in millimeters. Every product page lists the height and width, and comparing those to a familiar coin is the quickest way to picture it. For a child, smaller and lighter is usually the right call; for an adult, the limit is what sits comfortably under a collar.