the Jewelry Care guide
General Care
Can I wear my jewelry in the water?
Here's the real deal - a few dips here and there won't really hurt your jewelry (unless it's an opal) but, for the best, longest life of your pieces, we always recommend removing your jewelry before hopping in the pool, shower, etc.
Treat your pieces gently - if they've been worn in the water, pat (don't rub) them dry with a super soft cloth.
Chlorine, sweat, oils, lotions, etc. are the real bad guys - if your jewelry is in contact with the above, giving them a quick rinse in plain water and very gently patting them dry will help take the residue off.
Generally, jewelry should be the first thing off and the last thing on - any applied perfumes/lotions should be totally dry before you pop your jewelry on.
Will my jewelry tarnish?
Let's talk tarnish:
If you've ever seen a piece of jewelry that looks like the metal has darkened or turned black in spots, that's tarnish - it's not a sign of bad quality, it's just nature 🌱
When your jewelry darkens in spots, it's simply the metal oxidizing and reacting to environmental factors, etc. due to the nature of the metal itself.
For example, even a completely unworn sterling silver piece will eventually tarnish as it reacts to oxygen overtime.
Don't worry - it's not permanent and isn't harming your jewelry. Tarnish can be quickly removed by just using a soft cloth and gently polishing it away.
Will my jewelry stay gold?
Short answer: Yes, with care.
Long answer: Gold vermeil (thick layers of 14k plated over sterling silver) is a beautiful, more affordable alternative to solid gold with a long history - it's two precious metals in one, part of why we love it so much.
We use 2+ microns on our pieces (much thicker than the standard plating) which means that, with a little care, our pieces keep their gold.
Tips:
- Keep your jewelry dry
- Treat your pieces gently - the more abrasion, the faster it'll wear
A very well-loved vermeil piece will often have a warm, lightened look to it, simply because it's been worn and loved so much (think of that super soft, perfectly broken-in favourite t-shirt you've had for years)
We consider gold vermeil a lifelong product - not because it won't ever fade, but because fading means it's been a truly loved piece and can be re-plated, instead of tossed away 💛
How do I clean my jewelry?
Give your jewelry a quick, gentle polish with a soft cloth every so often for maintenance - this helps remove any oils, etc. that can build up over time.
How should I store my jewelry?
We recommend storing all jewelry in a dry, non-humid environment (not in the bathroom!) and generally out of direct sunlight.
Keeping chains separated from other jewelry by storing them in pouches or in a tray helps prevent tangling.
If you're travelling, store your jewelry in a jewelry case to keep rings from getting bent/chains tangled while in luggage.
Gemstone Care
What's the deal with Opals?
Opals are beautiful but delicate.
Avoid exposing opals to water/lotions/oils/humidity - opals are porous and will absorb moisture, causing the opal to yellow.
Once an opal has yellowed, it can't be restored to it's original colour, so please baby your opals and keep them dry.
How should I care for my gemstone pieces?
Gemstones each have varying degrees of hardness but we recommend treating all gemstones with care.
Try to avoid any direct hits or abrasion to the gemstone, as this can cause chips or cracks.
For cleaning, most gems can be cleaned with some warm water and a soft cloth (or very soft brush)..
Chains, etc.
How do I care for my chains?
Generally handle chains gently - tugging or pulling on chains (or the chain getting caught on something) can stretch the individual links which weakens the chain and makes it more susceptible to breaking.