caring for your jewelry
Copper, Silver, Brass and Bronze all tarnish overtime without proper care.
Avoid exposure to moisture: Moisture can accelerate tarnishing. Remove your jewelry before swimming, showering, or exercise. Wipe it dry with a soft cloth if it does get wet.
Store properly: Store in a cool, dry place, preferably in an airtight container or a tarnish-resistant pouch. This helps minimize exposure to air and moisture, which can accelerate tarnishing.
Keep away from chemicals: Avoid exposing to harsh chemicals such as perfumes, lotions, hairsprays, and cleaning products. If you apply products like lotions or perfumes, do so before wearing your jewelry and allow them to dry completely.
DO NOT USE JEWELRY CLEANER!
I add a patina to areas of many of my pieces to add depth and contrast. Jewelry cleaner will remove this patina changing the look of the piece entirely.
Anti-tarnish strips or cloths: Consider placing anti-tarnish strips or using anti-tarnish cloths in your storage containers. They help absorb moisture and neutralize gases that cause tarnishing.
These can be found on Amazon and are relatively inexpensive
Clean gently: Regularly clean your polished silver jewelry using a soft, non-abrasive cloth or a specialized silver cleaning cloth. Gently wipe the surface to remove dirt and oils that can contribute to tarnishing. Avoid using rough or abrasive materials that can scratch the polished surface.
Sunshine cloths are my favorite.
Avoid excessive handling: Minimize the amount of direct contact your polished silver jewelry has with your skin. The natural oils and acids present on your skin can accelerate tarnishing. When not wearing your jewelry, consider using cotton gloves to handle and store them.
If your jewelry does become oxidized on previously polished areas, use a mildly abrasive silver polishing cloth to wipe the oxidation off of select areas.
You can also create a paste with baking soda and water. Wearing a rubber glove and gently rubbing the paste onto the piece can help remove unwanted oxidation. Be careful not to clean areas that were intentionally oxidized prior to purchasing as it will change the overall look of the piece.