Care Guide
All metals tarnish with the time, especially silver. I kind of like this process, it gives a “vintage look” to the jewelry. But for those who don’t like it, I have some good tips to avoid the tarnish.
- Wear them all the time. The oils in your skin helps prevent tarnish. (This varies depending on your own body chemistry.)
- Avoid to use chemical beauty products like perfumes, soap, lotion. This products usually has substances that can change the color of the metal.
- Wearing your jewelry in the shower or taking it for a swimming is never a good idea.
- Oxidized silver jewelry should not be cleaned with jewelry cleaning dips or aggressive polishing that will strip the blackened surface. If cleaning is necessary, use mild dish detergent and soft toothbrush with as little rubbing as possible. The oxidized finish of jewelry can be restored at any time.
- Does Oxidized Silver Wear Off? Yes, oxidized silver does wear off over time. This is a result of natural day-to-day wear and tear, which can't really be avoided. It's possible to fix this issue at home, but we recommend you go see a jeweler instead to avoid any errors that might damage your piece of jewelry.
- The best thing to clean your piece is a jewelry polishing cloth. They are widely available! They are awesome for cleaning chains.
- For polished Sterling /14k gold filled a mixture of warm water, baking soda and neutral pH soap in a bowl. Soak the jewel for 10 minutes then gently scrub with a very smooth toothbrush to avoid scratches. Remove the item from the water and dry with a towel papel. If you want a extra polish and sparkle use the jewelry cloth. But be careful with the warm water this can’t be used with glued gemstones, pearls or color treated gemstones.
- For non polished jewelry you can make a paste with baking soda and water and gently scrub the piece with it. Rinse it off and dry with paper towel. For very tarnished matte surface you can use a 3M ultra fine sanding paper. You will gently pass a little piece of tha pad in just one way. After the cleaning use pH soap and warm water to rinse it off. Don’t forget to dry with a paper towel.
- A small at-home ultrasonic is also a great, fairly modest investment, especially if you are very keen on keeping your jewelry at its most brilliant.
- Avoid to put the jewelry on when you are standing. The best place to put your jewelry is seating on the bed or in some place that if the jewel fell, it would not break. This will avoid breaks, scratchs or bends. And always remember to check the claps and the ear nuts.
- When storing your jewelry especially the silver ones, use an airtight plastic bag (like a Ziploc) and if you can, put in a piece of chalk or a silica gel (the little packets in new shoes) - these will help prevent tarnish while you are not wearing them.
- There are also many viable home remedies for cleaning jewelry online. Just remember that they are very delicate, especially silver that is very soft so use something like a very soft baby toothbrush to avoid scratching.
- Chains can be fragile so avoid a lot of touching. Always take them off first. And if you are wearing a sweater please remember to put the necklace underneath and them you take your sweater.
- For plated jewelry you can use the same process of the warm water but don’t use paper towel to dry the piece. You can use a piece of cotton or a jewelry cloth. Use non-abrasive cleaning materials.
- And last but not least, any doubt do not hesitate to consult me or a reputable jeweler. Time to Time is a good idea to take your jewelry for a professional maintenance if some repair is necessary you may have to pay some fee upon approval.
GEMSTONES AND PEARLS
Jewels with gemstones need a special care
- Beware of little hits on surfaces especially with rings . Any stronger strike can shake the structure of the piece and this can loosen the gemstone. In case of an accident, always check gently if the gemstone remains firm in place. If not, seek a expert advice to avoid further damage.
- Some stones are sensitive to the sun, among them amethyst, citrine, aquamarine,opals and beryl. When exposed excessively to the sun, the color of these stones can be altered, so avoid prolonged sunbathing with jewelry containing these stones.
- The emerald is the most sensitive of stones, so do not use emerald jewelry in situations that it can break, or chip. Always wear jewelry when you try to be in a place that, in case of fall, does not fall on the floor. I always advise to dress sitting on the bed, so it decreases the fall and the mattress will cushion the fall.
- Rings with stones deserve special attention during use - avoid using a ring when you have to work hard with your hands, as you may end up hitting the ring, damaging the part or even dropping the stone. In addition to scratching the metal
- Pearls are organic, porous and sensitive. Chemicals such as acids, perfumes, creams, makeup, tinctures and hair fixatives can damage these masterpieces. So avoid the contact of the yolks with these products. After using jewelry with pearls, mother of pearl and coral, you should clean them with a soft flannel.
- Pearls love being worn!! They don't like being stored away and their intrinsic luster and glow will only improve when worn regularly.
- For beads and pearls necklaces it is important to periodically pass the wires from the necklaces and bracelets, ensuring that the string that supports them is clean, strong and in good condition, preventing them from breaking and also contaminating the gems.
- You can also bring your diamond rings to a reputable jeweler and ask if they can put your piece in their ultrasonic cleanser. A small at-home ultrasonic is also a great, fairly modest investment, especially if you are very keen on keeping your jewelry at its most sparkly.
- In case of doubts, always look for who you bought from or a specialized professional.
- It is always good to remember that accidents happen, and it’s ok! But with a little bit of care you can to avoid them to the maximum.
YOU HAVE A VERY SPECIAL JEWELRY PIECE IN YOUR HANDS. TAKE A GOOD CARE OF IT AND GO SHOW THE WORLD HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE!