HOW DO I CARE FOR MY JEWELRY?

We recommend storing our jewelry in zip-lock bags which we provide. Not glamorous but doing so will help retard the natural tarnishing of the silver. Since silver is a soft metal it will also prevent scratching. Do not swim in a chlorinated pool or submerge in mineral bath wearing your silver (it will turn on you). Always apply makeup, hair spray,and perfume before you put on your silver. As much as you want to, please do not sleep in your jewelry! FYI-if you wear your jewelry, it prevents tarnishing– so rock it!

All sterling silver jewelry will eventually tarnish unless it has been protected by a lacquer. (None of the silver jewelry we sell has a lacquer finish.) How much and how fast it tarnishes depends on several factors including your skin chemistry, lotions/perfumes/cosmetics used, and exposure to moisture. Keeping your jewelry dry and stored properly extends the shelf life of the beautiful finish. Removing tarnish is easy enough if you follow the instructions below.


CLEANING STERLING SILVER

POLISHING CLOTH 

Rub surface to be polished with medium pressure. Once polished, wipe residual polish off using warm water or glass cleaner using a soft cloth. Store in a zip lock plastic bag to help retard tarnishingThe polishing cloth still works until it is dark. Do not wash the cloth. 

POLISHING PASTE 

Apply a small amount of paste (about a popcorn kernel amount) to an old soft t-shirt or soft cloth. Rub surface to be polished with medium pressure. Once polished, wipe residual polish off using warm water or glass cleaner using a soft cloth. Store in a zip lock plastic bag to help retard tarnishing 

POLISHING DIP 

Dips should only be used on certain jewelry. Please inquiry with us before you use a dip to clean. Pour out a small amount of the dip into a glass bowl. You will need to submerge the jewelry, so use as much as that requires. Leave the item in the dip for 30 seconds to a minute. Take out and rinse under warm water. With a soft cloth or hair dryer dry the item completely – if necessary, leave the item out for 24 hours. Once completely dry, store in a zip lock plastic bag to help retard tarnishing 


CLEANING GOLD PLATE 

Because gold plated items are more delicate than plain silver, do not over handle, sleep, shower, or exercise in your gold-plated jewelry. Do not ever use a polishing cloth on plated items as it will damage and remove the finish. To clean, simply use an old soft toothbrush and wash with warm soap and water, nothing abrasive. Rinse and with a soft cloth or hair dryer dry the item completely – if necessary, leave the item out for 24 hours. Once completely dry, store in a zip lock plastic bag for protection. 


CLEANING SILVER NATURALLY 

AMMONIA & WATER 

Place 1-part ammonia to 3 parts warm water and let soak several hours or overnight. Remove, rinse, and with a soft cloth or hair dryer dry the item completely – if necessary, leave the item out for 24 hours. Once completely dry, store in a zip lock plastic bag to help retard tarnishing.  

ALUMINUM FOIL, BAKING SODA & SALT 

Place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of pan, add 2-3 inches of hot water. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt and mix. Add silver pieces, do not overlap, making sure the water covers the silver pieces. Cool, then remove silver, rinse, and with a soft cloth or hair dryer dry the item completely – if necessary, leave the item out for 24 hours. Once completely dry, store in a zip lock plastic bag to help retard tarnishing. This method also cleans filigree and crevices of more intricate silver pieces. 


CLEANING COPPER 

Make a solution out of warm water, a few drops of lemon or lime juice, and a teaspoon of salt. Mix it thoroughly. Dip the tarnished copper jewelry into this solution. Leave it there for a couple of minutes. Remove the jewelry and rinse thoroughly. Repeat if some tarnish still shows. If necessary, use a jewelry polishing cloth to finish cleaning the item. You can also use the polishing cloth to keep the luster bright on your piece between cleanings. Like silver, store in a zip lock plastic bag to help retard tarnishing. 


SILVER  JEWELRY & TARNISHING

On occasion, we have had customers explain to us that their jewelry has turned black where it touches their skin and they fear they have been sold poor quality jewelry. The sterling silver jewelry that turns black on your skin has nothing to do with the purity of the metal but everything to do with the chemicals of your skin interacting with the sterling silver. Our body chemistry can change from season to season, and even day to day. We do tend to see this blackening, particularly on the underside of a necklace, more during the hot and humid summer months when people tend to perspire heavily. The sweat interacts with the metal, turning the metal black. This is not a permanent color change and the jewelry simply requires a good cleaning. Not all people have this effect on sterling silver but for those that do, take heart that it can be avoided by simply not wearing your jewelry on particularly hot days or taking your jewelry off before you slip your running shoes on.