Jewelry Care

Earthly Metals

We believe in keeping the materials we choose raw and real. It is not plated with any metal or plastic coatings, therefore it responds to its environment. It will likely change over time, this is the nature of organic elements and we feel it often adds to the character of the piece.

We believe that our jewelry should be worn every day and last a lifetime. Wear, like nicks and scratches and even tarnishing, will likely occur with use. It is the nature of the material, and we believe these marks become part of the memory of the piece, a sign of the ways you have loved it. The jewelry will patina over time, many of our customers love the depth this adds to the metal, but we understand if you want to keep your jewelry bright and shiny. Here are some tips to keep our jewelry looking beautiful.

We suggest using natural cleaning products to brighten up your jewelry and give it a shine.

 

Table of Contents

  1. Clean Silver
  2. Clean Brass
  3. How to store your jewelry?

 

Clean Silver

Silver is very tough and long lasting, still tarnishing can occur when it comes in contact with the oxygen in the air or the acid pH of your sweat. Counterintuitively, the best way to keep your silver from blackening is to touch it and wear it often. The oils from your skin add a layer of tarnish resistance. However, over time it can tarnish and wear.

We recommend regularly polishing your item with a microfiber cloth. If it starts to patina, we recommend dipping your silver in a lemon juice and olive oil solution, then wiping clean under warm water with natural soap.

Here is the step by step for you to try the natural cleaning process:

 

Equipment

    • Baking soda
    • Water
    • Old toothbrush
    • Aluminum foil
    • Plastic or glass bowl
    • Salt

Instructions

      1. Mix together equal parts baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Dab this paste liberally onto your jewelry and let sit for an hour.
        1. Using an old toothbrush and the paste, scrub your jewelry gently. Rinse off the paste completely, and let dry.
          1. Place a sheet of aluminum foil in a shallow plastic or glass bowl. Do not use a metal bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoon (30 ml) of baking soda and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of salt on the foil.
            1. Place your jewelry on top of the foil. Pour hot water into the bowl, over your jewelry.
              1. Cover the bowl and wait 5 minutes. Remove the cover and take out your jewelry. The aluminium foil, baking soda, salt, and hot water creates a reaction that removes the tarnish from the silver.

                 

                Clean Brass

                Brass is a very tough and long lasting material. Although very noble, it does naturally tarnish and need a little more care and love. It’s an alloy, or a mixture of metals, comprised mainly of copper with typically tin and other metals. The high copper content in brass can cause it to oxidize and darken over time, developing a patina: a brown, black, red or blue to green coating, primarily due to a reaction to water and humidity. This patina protects the inner layers of the brass object from deteriorating, which can be considered attractive or desirable.

                Some people, depending on their personal PH balance, experience a green coloring to the skin when it comes in contact with brass. This is perfectly safe and is again due to copper.

                We recommend regularly polishing your jewelry with a microfiber cloth. If you prefer to remove the patina, we recommend to follow the instructions below for a natural cleaning:

                 

                Equipment

                  • Distilled water (warmed)
                  • Old toothbrush
                  • Baking soda
                  • Lemon juice

                Instructions

                  1. Rinse the brass item in warm, distilled water and gently clean it with a toothbrush in order to remove dust.
                    1. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda into a small bowl.
                      1. Drip lemon juice—either fresh or concentrate—very slowly over the baking soda until the mixture is just wet enough to create a paste similar in consistency to toothpaste. You might see a little bubbling or some fizzing for a minute or two; this is normal.
                        1. Gently rub the paste onto the brass and leave it for about 20 minutes.
                          1. Rinse with distilled water, rubbing with your fingers to remove all of the paste.

                            Alternately you can scrub your brass gently with wire wool to bring back that golden shine.

                                

                              Storing your Jewelry

                              When storing your jewelry, we recommend doing so in the box you were provided, or an air-tight container. Exposure to the environment can cause silver and brass jewelry to tarnish over time. Proper storing will keep it looking newer for longer and avoid marking and scratching your jewelry. 

                              Naturally over time scratches will occur, this is all part of the jewelry and the wearer’s journey together creating a truly individual piece. Should you wish to remove any deep scratches and marks we recommend having a professional polish. To reduce shipping, we suggest contacting your local jewelers, alternatively, get in touch with us.