Understanding Jewelry Care

Jewelry tarnish is caused when the surface of the metal comes into contact with body oils, makeup, sulfur, sweat, perfumes, deodorants, lotions, and other external substances. Tarnish varies from looking slightly dull to totally black, depending on the metal and how you wear and care for your jewelry.

Unlike plated metals, that once the layer rubs away it’s permanent.
Every piece I make is crafted with a combination of .925 Sterling Silver & .999 Silver.

With Sterling Silver, tarnish is not permanent… & it is easily removed!

The answer is - Yes, it can.

Tarnish is inevitable, tarnish is natural, & tarnish doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your jewelry. We have to get our hair trimmed in order for it to stay healthy.  Same goes for your jewelry – you need to care for it & clean it so that is stays looking at its best!

Overall, .925 Sterling Silver jewelry can be a long-lasting, durable choice for those looking for high-quality & affordable jewelry. With proper care and maintenance, it can last for many years or even generations.

After a piece is finished, the final step before polishing process is adding a patina. This speeds up the oxidation process to give a beautiful antique look. After the patina, a layer of renaissance wax is applied to conserve this look. 

Sterling Silver is made up of 92.5% Silver & 7.5% of other metals that form an alloy.  Some of those other metals, primarily copper, can cause Sterling Silver to tarnish over time when they interact with moisture that's in the air.

Sterling silver is better than silver when designing and wearing jewelry because it’s stronger & can look good for a lifetime. Fully Fine Silver jewelry is easily damaged & not the best choice to wear on a regular basis.
Most bezels used in Sterling jewelry are made with .999 Fine Silver bezel wire. It's softness makes it easy to push over the gems and it resists tarnishing while allowing the rest of the piece to be made of .925 Silver for strength & durability

If you store your silver properly, it will take many, many years for you to see any signs of tarnish. Several factors play a part in answering this question, including how it's cared for, & the type of jewelry. It can take anywhere between 2 months and 3 years for Sterling Silver rings, necklaces, & bracelets to tarnish depending on various factors. 

• Store Your Silver Jewelry in Plastic Bags or Airtight Container

Tarnish happens as a result of silver jewelry being exposed to oxygen and sulfur particles in the air. So, to keep your silver from tarnishing, you can store it in a ziplock bag and other airtight container. If you’re using a bag, be sure to remove all the air before sealing the bag. To prevent items from scratching one another, store each item individually.

• Use Anti-Tarnish Slips

To further combat tarnishing, you can add anti-tarnish slips into your ziplock bags or provided microfiber pouch. Inside every order is a small black anti-tarnish slip. They last about 6-12 months & will change color when it’s time to replace them. However, their effectiveness can vary depending on the environment.

• Wear It!

Surprisingly a way to keep your silver jewelry from tarnishing is to simply wear it! Oils in our skin can actually prevent silver from tarnishing. When you’re ready to take your silver jewelry off, try to store it right away.

• Use Polishing Cloths 

Along with anti-tarnish strips, each package comes with a complimentary polishing cloth. If you notice that your silver jewelry is starting to lose its luster, you can use a polishing cloth to easily shine it back up. These are cloths specifically designed for silver items.

• Remove during household chores

Substances with additional sulfur like household cleaners, chlorinated water, perspiration, and rubber will accelerate corrosion and tarnish. It’s a good idea to remove sterling silver completely before cleaning.

• Keep out of direct sunlight

Before you hit the beach or pool, be sure to remove your silver jewelry. Sunlight can cause silver to tarnish as well.

• Put your jewelry on last

For generations, we have been putting our jewelry on last & that’s for good reason! Lotions, makeups, hair spray and perfumes will accelerate tarnishing.

• Soap and water

 This is the most recommended method because of the gentleness of soap and water. This should really be your first line of defense before trying anything else.

• Baking soda and water

If you come across suggestions to use toothpaste, I highly recommend you ignore that tip as it is abrasive & can cause scratches. A good alternative is baking soda & water. When toothpastes were simple non-whitening, non-gel based pastes, they could be used on your jewelry. However, they include many more ingredients now that may damage your silver. Instead make a paste from baking soda and water, apply a small amount onto a cloth or tooth brush and scrub gently.

• White vinegar & baking soda

 This gentle cleaning method is great for removing heavy tarnish. Soak your sterling silver in ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tbsp of baking soda (combine these in the sink and prepare yourself for the fizzing and foam) for two to three hours. Rinse jewelry and pat dry.

• Finish with a polish

 After you’ve given your jewelry a good cleaning, you can finish the process by using our complimentary polishing cloth.