jewelry care
General Jewelry Care • Silver • Copper & Brass • Gold Plated & Filled • Pewter • Alloy Metals
Your jewelry should be stored carefully after each use. Wipe down with a cotton ball or very soft cloth. Pieces should be stored in individual bags within your jewelry box to prevent harm and maintain the maximum life span of your jewelry.
Sterling Silver & Silver Plated Jewelry
Jewelry pieces with sterling silver or silver plated components can tarnish (turn black) very easily. Items should be kept in a sealed plastic bag with a piece of anti-tarnish paper to prevent oxidation. An anti-tarnish strip will be included with your order. The paper will start to change color when it's losing its effectiveness and should be replaced at this time. You can purchase more strips here. You can also store your piece in a bag without an anti-tarnish strip, but this will not be as effective. An alternative to the strips, you can use a stick of white chalk wrapped in cheesecloth or muslin, or a silica pack. Both of these methods will also absorb moisture.
Many of the silver pendants and charms I use in my pieces have been purposefully blackened in whole or part. These have been given a light coating of a microcrystalline wax that both protects the patina and prevents it from further oxidation. These pieces should be handled carefully so the wax stays on the piece. It may eventually need to be reapplied. These pieces should also still be stored with anti-tarnish paper as clasps, chains and other parts are not treated with the wax.
Cleaning with silver polish will remove any oxidation. Treatment with these cleaners is not recommended to preserve the look of your piece. Chains and clasps can be treated if the pendant or charm is removed prior to cleaning. Be sure to use a cleaner suitable for silver plate. Do not use cleaners for sterling silver.
The silver plating on jewelry can wear off eventually. Proper care and minimal handling will ensure this happens later rather than sooner.
Copper Plated, Copper & Brass Jewelry
Much like silver jewelry, copper and brass pieces can also oxidize if not stored properly. It will darken and then turn green or blue, much like copper roofing tiles. These pieces should also be stored in a sealed plastic bag with an anti-tarnish agent. One strip will be included with your order.
Pieces that have been patinated to a green or blue hue will be coated with a microcrystalline wax to protect the patina and prevent further oxidation. Please handle these pieces carefully.
Cleaning with solutions is not recommended. Chains and clasps can be cleaned if the pendant or charm is removed prior to cleaning.
Gold Plated & Filled Jewelry
Gold plated and filled jewelry does not tarnish, however, care should be taken so the plating does not scratch or wear off. Store in a soft bag and handle minimally as the natural oils on your fingers and hard use can cause the plating to wear off faster. Gold filled pieces are more resilient than gold plated pieces, but are also more expensive.
Pewter Jewelry
Pewter does not tarnish like silver, however, most pewter charms and pendants are used in conjunction with sterling silver and silver plated items. Please follow silver care instructions.
Alloy Metal Jewelry
Bronze, silver and gold tone alloy metals will not tarnish on their own, however, the chains and other pieces used with them will tarnish. Please follow the appropriate care instructions based on the metals used in your piece.