Wooden Bowtie Version 2.0

Jewelry is all handmade and most pieces are one of a kind. Properly caring for these pieces is essential to keeping your jewelry looking like new for years to come.

 

Caring for Metal Jewelry

 

Keeping metals dust free, in low humidity indoors goes a long way. Avoiding harsh chemicals such as salt, salt air, bleach will keep them from corroding. Finger prints can over time even cause spots.

 

Cleaning with a good gentle cleaner lasts long. A coating of wax or clear lacquer can even last many years. 

 

Minor tarnish can be buffed off with a jewelry polishing cloth or a mild jewelry cleaner, but cleaning heavy tarnish may also remove some of the gold or silver plating on the piece so go easy on the buffing.

 

To care for BRASS accessories:

 

wipe it with a soft flannel cloth dampened with a little olive oil. Brass by nature tarnishes but doing this will give it a protective coating of oil to retard tarnishing.

 

If you see signs of tarnishing on your BRASS pieces, take a little brass polish and put some on flannel cloth to clean them. This will make your pieces shine like new again! Be sure to read the usage instructions on the metal polish container first though. Brass polishes are not expensive and can be found in hardware stores. 

 

Steps to prevent corrosion and tarnishing:

 

Remove your jewelry often, which will help your skin breath.

Clean your jewelry often.

Use an absorbent powder free of zinc and oxide on the skin that comes in contact with your jewelry.

Avoid eating foods high in salt and acidic content as well as strong smelling foods as mentioned above.

 

Metal FAQs:

 

It is the nature of copper and brass to tarnish or oxidize over time. As the oxidation progresses it is referred to as 'patina' and is highly valued by some. 

 

Corrosion and Tarnishing - caused by a number of conditions such as:

 

Moist or wet conditions such as perspiration. 

A diet high in acidic foods or salt content can aid in corrosion.

Also, foods with a trace of hydrogen sulfide gas such as onions, eggs and some fish or shellfish as well as polluted air. Sterling silver jewelry is susceptible to tarnishing and can stain the skin green.

 

The only metals commonly in use that do not tarnish are fine stainless steel, pure gold and platinum. 

 

Caring for Mirror & Crystal Jewelry:

 

A soft, lint-free cloth can be used to restore the brilliant sparkle of Crystals. Simply hold the cloth between your thumb and fingers and roll the crystals back and forth, continuing along the piece until you have cleaned them all.

 

If they require more than just cleaning with a cloth, you can use a soft, moist cloth or even baby wipes to clean them. Windex may be used on mirror pieces.

 

DOS & DON`TS:

 

    Don`t allow jewelry to come in prolonged contact with matches, rubber bands or anything that contains sulphur.

    Don`t allow jewelry to come in contact with abrasive soaps, chemicals, perfumes, hair sprays and/or dyes.

    Don`t rub silver jewelry with abrasive cloths and/or cleansers. Silver scratches easily.

    Don`t expose your jewelry to prolonged periods of extreme temperatures or intense sunlight. (i.e. window sills, car dashboards)

    Don`t store jewelry near a heat source.

    Don't immerse these pieces in any liquid.

    

    Do use a soft jewelry polishing cloth to prevent tarnish build-up.

    Do remove jewelry before swimming in the ocean and/or a chlorinated pool. (Chlorine may cause discoloration to silver. It will       also cause damage to many gemstones and other natural products     and may cause them to become loose in their settings.)

    Do remove jewelry before using cleaning materials.

    Do remove jewelry before engaging in exercise and/or sports to prevent scratching, denting or loss of gemstones.

    Do remove jewelry before going to bed to avoid twisting, knotting and/or breakage.

 

Storing your jewelry:

 

Store individual pieces separately to prevent them from scratching one another. 

Lay Flat or hang to prevent any tangling or breakage.

 

Please Be Advised:

Metal jewelry is 100% handcrafted and one of a kind. These are also considered sample pieces and certain pieces may have minor imperfections that require separate care instructions. A special care note will be provided in with your purchase, but if you would like more info on any piece before purchasing, please contact the designer directly.