Jewelry isn't just an accessory; it's a reflection of style, sentiment, and sometimes even heritage. Whether you're flaunting a family heirloom or a trendy piece, caring for your jewelry ensures it remains as stunning and cherished as the day you acquired it. Discover the essential tips and tricks to keep your jewelry sparkling and radiant with our comprehensive guide to jewelry care.
925 sterling silver Care
Made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, 925 sterling silver is one of the most popular materials for jewelry making thanks to its durability. Unlike pure silver, which is too soft to work with, sterling silver is harder, making the metal perfect for more intricate and complex jewelry designs.
To maintain the brilliant shine of your sterling silver jewelry, avoid any contact with water. While pure water does not damage 925 sterling silver, most water we encounter is not purified. To keep that enviable shine intact, store your silver in an airtight bag with an anti-tarnish strip. Silver is durable, but can be scratched if care is not taken. To polish it without scratching, use either a special jewelry or microfiber cloth.
Gemstones Care
Keeping your gemstones sparkling is easy! Most gemstones may be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush. For opals, use only a soft cloth to clean the surface of the stone, and do not submerge them in liquids. Avoid harsh chemicals that can lurk in everyday products such as lotion, perfume, and hairspray as well as household cleaners like bleach. Store your jewelry in a safe, dry place when not being worn.
Solid Gold Care
Gold in its purest form (24k) is too soft to work with. To make it more structurally sound and durable for wear, alloys are added. Typically alloys that are used include brass , copper, palladium, nickel, and/or silver. This combination of pure gold and alloys creates solid gold (AKA 14k gold), meaning your beautiful pieces won’t tarnish time. This tough durable metal is perfect for anyone with an active life.
Show your solid gold jewelry some love by mixing lukewarm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bowl to clean it. Soak the jewelry in the soapy solution for a minute and then using a soft-bristled brush (a toothbrush will suffice), gently scrub your jewelry. Remove any soapy residue by rinsing with warm water and blot dry with a soft microfiber cloth.
Stainless Steel Care
316L stainless steel is otherwise known as 316L surgical-grade stainless steel. Made of steel and chromium, it is considerably more durable than silver. Its bright and silvery finish, which is resistant to tarnish, is a popular and affordable choice for fashion jewelry.
Simply pour warm water into a small bowl mixed with some dishwashing soap. Using a soft cloth, gently wipe the jewelry until it is clean. Remove any remaining soap with a moistened cloth dipped in clean water. To maintain that beautiful shine, use either a jewelry polish or a special polishing cloth.
Opal Care
Opal is the birthstone for October and their vibrant spectrum of color is thought to symbolize purity and wisdom.
Keep your hydrophane Opal away from water at all times, as this can cause discoloration when absorbed by the gemstone. To remove any markings, gently wipe with a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid water and chemicals including lotion and perfume.
Gold vermeil Care
Gold vermeil jewelry is popular and more difficult to pronounce than to care for. Vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is a special style of gold plating that is also referred to as silver gilt. Vermeil is a gold coating that is laid over the top of a sterling silver base, which gives you the look of yellow or rose gold jewelry at a insurpassible value. Vermeil provides long-lasting color and shine.
To keep your gold vermeil jewelry looking beautiful and shiny, avoid any contact with chlorine, bleach, and sweat. To clean, use a soft dry microfiber cloth to gently buff it. Do not use chemical cleaners, as it is likely to strip the jewelry of its gold finish.
Rhodium Plated Care
Rhodium is a special type of plating often used to maintain the brilliant white in silver and white gold. A silver-white metallic element that is part of the platinum family of metals, Rhodium plating is laid over the top of a sterling silver or alloyed gold base, making the jewelry more resistant to corrosion and tarnish, as well as giving it long-lasting color and shine.
Wash your jewelry in a solution of warm soapy water using a soft-bristled brush. Rinse away any soapy residue and dry with a soft microfiber cloth.