Jewelry Care & Cleaning

How to best care for your jewelry. Let's talk about different metals.

 Brass:

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and will naturally tarnish over time which means the brass will darken as it is exposed to oxygen over time. This is called patina.

I use a lot of raw brass in my work because it is an extremely versatile metal and is very affordable. I believe the patina adds uniqueness to each piece. It is best to avoid wearing brass in the shower and wet climates and avoid leaving your jewelry in the bathroom where there is humidity.

You can shine up your brass using a Polishing Cloth which is available on my website for purchase.  You can also use over-the-counter products such as Brasso, or you can use a variety of safe and natural cleaners such as lemon and salt, plain toothpaste, or even ketchup to help shine up your metal! Lemon and Salt is my favorite to use. 

 

14k Gold Fill:

14k Gold Fill is a high quality, affordable alternative to Solid Gold. There is a solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base of brass or silver. The layer of gold on gold-filled items is 5-10 times thicker than something that is gold plated. Gold filled items, when properly cared for, are expected to last from 10 to even 30 years.

Try your best to keep your pieces away from the elements and harsh chemicals. It is best to use a cleaning cloth and/or mild soap and water to clean your gold filled jewelry. It may not look like it needs to be cleaned, but will polish and brighten up amazingly with a cleaning cloth.

Sterling Silver

I use Sterling Silver from the American Midwest. With time, Sterling Silver does naturally darken or tarnish. Sterling can be easily cleaned up and brightened with a polishing cloth.

Caring for your jewelry

Please wear your pieces with care and use the rubber backs that come with the threaders so you don't lose them. If a piece is damaged, I do offer jewelry repair or replacements.

Remember, jewelry is not indestructible. It is best not to store it in your bathroom where it gets humid. Store in a dry environment, keep it in the box it came in, a jewelry box, or in a baggie. Do not wear your jewelry in water or to work out in. Do not sleep in your jewelry. If your jewelry darkens or tarnishes, use a polishing cloth to clean and brighten it up.