Care and Cleaning your Sterling Silver Jewelry

We take pride in our work and set high standards in the craftsmanship of our handcrafted jewelry. As with every product its life span will depend on the care you give it. These are some helpful hints on how to look after your silver jewelry pieces.

• Silver can oxidize with time. To maintain the original condition of your silver jewelry, polish your pieces regularly using a non-abrasive cleaning cloth.
• Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap and water solution, allowing the water to bead up, and then patting dry with a soft cloth. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches because of the fibers in these products. For more stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner designed for silver use.
• When you are not wearing your silver jewelry, store them in a cool, dry place. Make sure your silver is not exposed to air and light during storage. This can cause silver to tarnish. Zip-lock bag and cloth pouches are ideal for storage and will help prevent tarnishing or scratching by other pieces. Store pieces individually so that they don't knock together and scratch.
• Never immerse your silver jewelry in chlorine, salt water, mineral springs, and suntan lotion. Remember that some household cleaners contain chlorine bleach, these will cause discoloration and also loosen the gemstones.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners, detergents and commercial jewelry cleaners "dips" especially if the pieces have an oxidized finish. Using harsh polishing cleaners will alter the antique look of your jewelry.

Care of and Cleaning Gemstone Jewelry

There are many different types of gemstones, some of which require specific care and cleaning procedures. However, there are some general care and cleaning rules which apply to all gemstone jewelry.

• Store gemstone pieces individually in soft pouches.
• After wearing, wipe your precious gemstone jewelry thoroughly with a clean, soft, slightly damp cloth. This will enhance the gemstone's luster and ensure that your jewelry is clean before storage.
• Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, ammonia or any chemical solution to clean opaque gemstones, such as turquoise, malachite, onyx, lapis lazuli and opals. They are a porous stone and may absorb chemicals, which build up inside the stone and cause discoloration.
• If your silver jewelry contains gemstones or pearls, do not immerse in water, as this can loosen some settings. Never use dips or abrasives cleaners on gemstones.
• Do not expose your precious gemstone pieces to salt water or harsh chemicals such as chlorine or detergents. These chemicals will slowly erode the finish and polish of gemstones.
• Hair spray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull. Apply all cosmetics, perfumes and colognes before putting on gemstone jewelry. Make sure to wipe your gemstones after wear to remove any chemicals, oils or perspiration.
• Do not subject gemstone jewelry to sudden temperature changes.
• If you have an active lifestyle, take extra precautions with some types of gemstone jewelry. Some gemstones are brittle and should not be worn when doing household chores or any other activity where the stone could be hit or damaged.