JEWELLERY CARE
It is important that you take good care of your jewellery to ensure it will last you a lifetime.
Although we say that you can wear your jewellery swimming and in the ocean, we cannot guarantee that nothing will happen to it.
It’s up to the individual to be careful not to get chains caught up in clothing or pulled on. We suggest taking jewellery off for any sporting activities, and if you’re going into rough surf etc. We also recommend removing your jewellery if you go into a pool and do not wear it in a spa as the chemicals in there can turn it very dark.
Another thing to be aware of is that all metals can react with the things you put on your skin.
From moisturisers, perfumes, sunscreens… even regular shampoo, cleansers and soap. If you notice any discolouration, we recommend removing your jewellery while showering and being aware of what it could be coming in contact with.
If you use natural products you should be ok!
STERLING SILVER CARE
Sterling Silver can tarnish in the form of grey/ black discolouration to the metal. This can vary greatly on the person wearing the jewellery as well as the weather surrounding you.
Typically, Sterling Silver tarnishes more in high humidity and hot weather. The moisture in the air can turn the silver quite black, as can the sweat from our own skin coming into contact with the silver.
Many people will say do not wear Sterling Silver i the water, however we find that wearing it in either fresh water or the ocean (so long as it is rinsed in fresh water afterwards) is ok. After all, we want your jewellery to be easy to care for and wear every day. We do recommend keeping it away from pools and spas/ hot tubs however as these can contain chemical that can react with the silver.
Sterling Silver should not be worn with sunscreen and great care should be taken when applying lotions and perfumes as the chemicals in all of these things can cause the Sterling Silver to not only tarnish but also weaken and break in the case of chains and finer silver links etc.
If you are not wearing your Sterling Silver jewellery you should store it properly. This means in an enclosed, dark place away from moisture. Never store your jewellery in a bathroom or make up bag as it will tarnish very quickly.
Although our Sterling Silver chains are high quality, they are fine and if put under stress they can stretch and break. So we recommend you take them off when playing sports, surfing or if you toss and turn in your sleep a lot.
STERLING SILVER CLEANING
There are many options for cleaning Sterling Silver.
The polishing cloth we provide you with your jewellery is best used on larger flatter surfaces and shouldn’t be used on our chains as you may pull too hard and break your chain.
First, try using a gentle (phosphate free) soap such a dishwashing liquid and a soft bristle toothbrush. Lather the soap with a little water and give the silver a gentle scrub, then rinse and see if the tarnish has been removed.
Toothpaste also works quite well in cleaning silver. Wet the silver, place a pea size blob of toothpaste on the piece and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub and work into the hard to reach places.
If you need a more deep clean, you can try the following :
( you will need- a dish, aluminium foil, white vinegar, bi-carb soda, salt and boiling water)
Line a dish with aluminium foil (the size of the dish will depend on how many pieces of jewellery you would like to clean)
Boil about 1 cup of water in a pan
Add 1 tablespoon of bi-carb soda and 1 teaspoon of salt to your foil lined dish
Slowly pour in 1/2 cup of white vinegar (it will begin to fizz as it reacts with the bi-carb soda, but make sure you pour the vinegar slowly, you’d don’t want it fizzing too much)
Add the cup of boiling water
Then add your jewellery. Make sure your jewellery pieces aren’t touching each other, but that they’re all touching the foil.
Soak them for about 30 seconds, then remove with tongs, rinse and dry. You can repeat the process a few times if you have a lot of tarnish build up.
Once you’re happy, rinse under cold water, dry on a clean cloth or towel and give a final buff with your polishing cloth.
If your cloth is getting a bit old and you need a new one you can order one here
BRASS CARE
We love brass. It is a great option for gold lovers that won’t break the bank.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and it does tarnish. But the good news is, it is easy to clean and will maintain it’s colour for life.
Typically, Brass tarnishes more in high humidity and hot weather. The moisture in the air can turn the brass quite dull, as can the sweat from our own skin coming into contact with the metal.
We find that wearing brass in either fresh water or the ocean (so long as it is rinsed in fresh water afterwards) is ok. After all, we want your jewellery to be easy to care for and wear every day. We do recommend keeping it away from pools and spas/ hot tubs however as these can contain chemical that can react with the brass.
Brass should not be worn with sunscreen and great care should be taken when applying lotions and perfumes as the chemicals in all of these things can cause the brass to discolour and also weaken and break in the case of chains and finer links.
If you are not wearing your brass jewellery, you should store it properly. This means in an enclosed, dark place away from moisture. Never store your jewellery in a bathroom or make up bag as it will tarnish & dull very quickly.
BRASS CLEANING
Cleaning your brass is easy!
Squeeze the juice of a lemon into a dish and place all your brass jewellery into the dish.
Allow it to soak for approximately 5 minutes.
Then give it a gentle scrub with an old toothbrush or something similar (do not use anything too abrasive as you’ll scratch the metal)
Rinse under fresh water
Polish with your polishing cloth.
You’ll be amazed at how shiny and new your brass jewellery looks after this process. If you’d like a pictured step-by step, check out our blog post here.
If your cloth is getting a bit old and you need a new one you can order one here