S t e r l i n g S i l v e r
⟣ As with most precious metals, sterling silver tarnishes but when regularly worn this is less likely to happen as quickly.
⟣ Keep your sterling dry, removing all jewelry before showering or cleaning. When washing hands be cautious of soaps which can cause a film to form making the sterling appear dull.
⟣ Avoid chlorine and salt water! It can permanently damage or discolor sterling jewelry.
⟣ Be particularly careful when attempting to clean sterling jewelry because of the organic nature of our materials. Avoid rinsing your jewelry or washing it with soap. Alternatively, polish your sterling with a soft, lint free cloth to preserve your sterling pieces luster and shine.
1 4 k G o l d / 1 4 k G o l d F i l l / 1 4 k R o s e G o l d F i l l
⟣ The higher the carat weight, the softer the metal. For example, pieces with solid 14 carat gold are more resistant to scratching than say 18 carat gold.
⟣ 14k Gold or Rose Gold-Fill is a reasonably priced, quality alternative to solid gold / rose gold. It is composed of a solid layer of gold, which must constitute at least 5% of the item's total weight, mechanically bonded to sterling silver or jeweler's brass.
⟣ Gold-fill items are 50x -100,000x thicker than regular gold plating, and 17x - 25,000x thicker than heavy gold electroplate.
⟣ Gold-Fill jewelry, with proper care, can last 30 - 100 years. So be sure to show lots of love to your jewelry!
⟣ As with sterling, regularly clean your gold/gold-fill jewelry with a soft, lint free cloth to retain its beauty and shine.
G e m s t o n e s
⟣ All gemstones are susceptible to damage when exposed to chemicals, water and even sunlight. Prolonged exposure can cause certain gemstones to lighten. Keep this in mind when wearing or storing amethyst, ametrine, aquamarine, aventurine, citrine, rose quartz and smoky quartz.
⟣ If you use lotions, perfumes, creams, etc. be sure to apply prior to putting on jewelry for the chemicals could damage or cause buildup on the stones.
⟣ Turquoise, opals, pearls, coral and amber are porous stones and should be kept away from dirt, sunscreen, oils or immersed in water for long periods to prevent any discoloration.