Jewelry Care

Materials & Jewelry Care

Sterling Silver, Cleaning & Storage

Sterling silver is an alloyed metal, normally made of 92.5% pure silver and other metals. Sterling silver is a popular metal because of its affordability and malleability, but it also tarnishes because of its composition. Tarnish is simply the result of a chemical reaction with oxygen or sulfur particles in the air. With a few easy-to-follow tips, you can take care of your sterling silver jewelry and make it last for years to come!

If you notice your silver jewelry tarnishing, you can store your piece in a small clean plastic bag with either a piece of chalk or silica pack to absorb moisture and any tarnishing elements in the air. Avoid wearing your silver jewelry in the shower, tub, pool and especially hot springs. The chemicals and additives in most water will quickly tarnish silver and gold vermeil. To clean your sterling silver, you may use any jewelry buff cloth or flannel cloth to gently remove tarnish from silver.

For more hard to reach tarnish, I highly recommend Lavish Foaming Jewelry Cleaner.

https://www.lavishjewelrycleaner.com/products/lavish-foam

In all my years of experiment with every brand, I find it cleans and outshines everything I've ever used. I will never use anything else! It is even safe to use on pearls and which are organic and opal which is porous because Lavish is non toxic, eco-friendly, bio-based cleaning formula that contains no harsh chemicals, peroxides, phosphates or ammonia. And it's biodegradable. All you do is apply foam cleaner to jewelry. Wait 10-30 seconds (use brush if necessary). Rinse thoroughly with water. Dry with a soft cloth. Admire the results!

24K Gold Overlay

Most all of my gold chains are 24K gold overlay. My Gold Overlay jewelry is produced by applying an average of 20 to 30 mils of 24kt gold onto the surface of high quality brass based chains utilizing an advanced acid gold Electro-Depositing process. Unlike basic decorative (cyanide) gold electroplated costume jewelry, Gold Overlay jewelry may be worn all the time. It has on average 5-7 times the thickness of most costume jewelry. Acid gold is a harder gold plating formula that was pioneered by the electronics industry which produces a durable finish. Unlike basic decorative gold electroplated jewelry, jewelry that is finished with an acid gold application has excellent long term wearing qualities.

My Gold Overlay jewelry is used as the finest alternative to solid 14K jewelry.

Gold Filled Chains & Cleaning Instructions
Gold filled chains generally have a thin layer of gold (usually 5% by weight) bonded onto the outside of a brass based core using heat and pressure. These chains wear very well and are a great inexpensive alternative to 14K gold. All of my gold filled wire and findings are very durable.

I recommend Lavish Foaming Jewelry Cleaner for my Gold Filled Chains. Plus it’s safe to use on all gemstone and pearl jewelry.

Gold Vermeil & Cleaning Instructions

My gold vermeil is essentially sterling silver "dipped" in 22 karat gold. More technically, it is 22kt gold electroplated over sterling silver, which gives my jewelry an extra luxurious and distinctive look of high-karat gold for a fraction of the expense. Gold Vermeil is a bit more expensive than sterling silver alone due to the high cost of gold, but really gives you an amazing look for a very reasonable price. Gold Vermeil, however, can wear off over time because of the thin layer. Exposure to skin chemistry (including perfume and cosmetics), body oils, and abrasion can fade the gold. To keep your Gold Vermeil jewelry looking its best, be especially careful not to shower or swim while wearing it. Be conscious of hairspray, perfume, cosmetics and lotions on your jewelry.

When cleaning your gold vermeil use a very soft cloth or gentle hand soap and filtered water. Please do not use tarnish remover or harsh jewelry polish, as these will strip the gold layer quickly. If you love the rich color gold, but don’t want to deal with the plating or ‘fading’ of gold vermeil, the only alternative is to invest in a pure gold piece. The warmth, shine, and beauty of solid gold jewelry can last for generations, so it is worth the investment.

Pearls, Cleaning & Storage Instructions

Pearls are organic gems. Many everyday products—from hand lotion, perfume, hairspray or dish detergent which contain chemicals can dehydrate and dull your pearls. To protect your pearls, here are 6 best tips to care, clean, and safely store your pearl jewelry.

Wear your pearl jewelry~

It may seem counter-intuitive but wearing your pearl jewelry out and about is actually better for it than leaving it packed away in a jewelry box. When pearls are stored for a long period of time, it causes the pearls to dehydrate. Exposing your pearl jewelry to fresh air and your natural oils will keep them in better condition.

Remove your jewelry before the shower~

Extreme temperatures, humidity and direct sunlight are harmful to pearls. Heat and direct sun for long periods of time will turn your lustrous pearls brown and cause them to dry out. So remember to take off your pearls before you jump in the shower, dive into the pool, lay out at the beach or unwind in the sauna.

Wipe down your pearl jewelry before storing it.~

Moisturizers, cosmetics, hair spray and perfume and even perspiration can harm your pearl’s luster. Gently wipe down your pearl jewelry with a damp soft cloth before storing it every night. This will remove any potentially harmful material residue.

Store your pearl jewelry separately~

Although pearls are resilient, they are prone to scratches, especially when they brush against much harder gemstones or abrasive metals. To protect your pearl jewelry, store it in separate and preferably individual jewelry box compartments. DO NOT use plastic jewelry bags to store individual pieces. Plastic baggies emit a chemical that will deteriorate the surface of the pearl. Reach for silk or suede jewelry pouches instead.

Silk Thread Info

For centuries, silk has been the traditional beading material in necklace manufacturing. As an example, all high-end pearl strands are strung and knotted using silk thread. Pure natural silk feels incredibly soft and smooth. Silk threads have unbelievable tensile strength. Even the thread with the smallest diameter cannot be torn apart by hand. Necklaces made with natural silk drape naturally along the contours of the body and always project a look of elegance and beauty.

Silk care

Never wear your silk necklace in the shower, in a pool or hot tub. If you need to clean the gemstones, wet a washcloth, ring it out thoroughly, and then wipe over the stones trying not to wet the silk. You shouldn’t need to do this very often in the life of your silk necklace.

Turquoise Facts

Turquoise has a hardness of 5-6 on the Moh’s Scale. It needs to be stabilized (hardened) to be cut into beads. Turquoise has been hardened for thousands of years. Egyptians, Mayans, Persians, Native Americans have all stabilized turquoise.