Jewelry Care for Longevity
Polishing cloths are great for freshening-up your wire-wrapped jewelry, as needed.
Each pendant purchased comes with one complimentary polishing cloth.
Sterling Silver vs Argentium Silver
What’s the difference between Sterling Silver and Argentium Silver? Sterling Silver is made with an alloy that includes 92% pure silver and 7.5% copper, which strengthens the metal, but is prone to tarnishing. Argentium Silver contains more pure silver, at 93.5%-96%, and a small amount of Germanium instead of copper. This enhances durability, tarnish resistance, and adds a beautiful brilliant white color to the silver.
Argentium Silver is a bit more expensive than Sterling Silver, but the benefits are a game changer! Living in the humid south can especially promote rapid tarnishing. I want my jewelry to be as low maintenance and ready-to-wear as possible… so do my customers. Argentium Silver is quickly becoming the go-to silver for fine jewelry.
Cleaning
I wrap my gemstones with various precious metals including copper, Argentium Silver (tarnish resistant), sterling silver, gold filled, and rose gold filled. Copper and sterling silver naturally darken/oxidize/patina over time. To restore the luster to your jewelry, rub the wire with a polishing cloth to help clean and remove any excess patina as desired. Some people prefer the patinaed look. Some people may find that well-polished, un-patinaed, coated, copper offers desirable, enhanced energetic properties.
I coat my copper and sterling silver pendants with a tarnish resistant coating. This coating does not make it “tarnish proof”. It simply slows the rate of oxidation and provides a hypoallergenic barrier for those who may be sensitive to certain metals. The copper chains I offer are uncoated to maintain flexibility.
Gold Filled, Rose Gold Filled, and Argentium Silver are far more resistant to oxidation than copper or sterling silver, but a bit of extra love with a polishing cloth can help occasionally clean and boost their shine as well.
Storing different metals apart from each other can also help decrease oxidation.
General Care
It is not recommended to shower, swim, sleep, or exercise while wearing jewelry. Avoid exposing your jewelry to chemicals, such as chlorine found in hot tubs, float pods, swimming pools, or household cleaning products. Harsh chemicals may gradually eat away at precious metals such as copper, silver, gold, rose gold, etc., and can damage gemstones.
Avoid submerging jewelry featuring various opals, pearls, amber, fossils, selenite, and other soft gems, in any liquid as they may be prone to absorbing liquids and compromising their integrity.
Avoid intense, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight as some gemstones may be prone to fading in the sun, long-term.
Handmade jewelry may contain small, delicate parts, and requires specific care. Ultrasonic cleaners are not recommended as the intense vibrations could possibly dislodge delicate design features. Also, some softer gems should not be submerged.