Sterling Chains

How to bring your tarnished silver chains back to their original sparkle:

Take a glass bowl and line it with tin foil shiny side up. place your chains in the bowl. I did anywhere from 4-8 at a time depending on thickness. Then I sprinkled a hefty tablespoon of salt on top of the chains. I happened to use Himalayan Pink because I have a bunch of it. Then cover chains with a hefty tablespoon of baking soda. Then add boiling water, about a cup, and jiggle the bowl a little for a few seconds while saying abracadabra. Then let sit for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the chains. I placed them on a paper towel to dry. The bowl I used was about 3-4 inch diameter at the bottom. I changed the tinfoil every 2nd batch or so. I had to repeat a couple of chains that didn't come out like new the first time. I mis-jiggled and forgot the magic word.

THIS IS ONLY RECOMMENDED FOR CHAINS.

Silver and Gold

Making it shine:

My go-to method for keeping my gold and silver pieces looking their best is polishing using a sunshine cloth. (Don’t worry, I provide one with every purchase). This is an easy way to brighten your jewelry anytime or anywhere. Using medium pressure gently rub the cloth over the metal surface and you will see instant results. Never wash the cloth and it’s time for a new one when it is completely darkened. Keep your polishing cloth in an air-tight bag to increase its longevity.

NOT recommended for leather or polishing stones.

Pearls

Keep the luster:

The outer layer of a pearl is called the nacre and this is the layer that gives a pearl its iridescence. With proper care, your pearls will last you a lifetime. With improper care, pearls can permanently lose their luster because the nacre gets chipped, scratched, or rubbed off completely.

To start, pearls love to be worn! Their organic materials thrive off the natural oils in your skin. They do not however thrive in your perfume, soaps, shower, swimming pools, excessive sweat, hot environments, or on a hike. Now, after you’ve broken one of those rules, be sure to GENTLY wipe your pearls off with a soft cloth (not a sunshine cloth!!!) and store them in a soft cloth or pouch. This helps with protecting them from getting scratched from your other jewelry. Also when storing your pearls remember that they come from the ocean so left in a too dry spot they could actually crack.

Pearls are knotted (usually with silk) not because of fashion, but because it keeps the pearls from touching each other. This prevents the strand of pearls from not wearing off its own nacre layer. Even though silk is incredibly strong, it still can get dirty, stretch, and even break. Your pearls should be restrung every two to three years depending on the frequency of wear.

Yes, I restring pearls if you ask really nicely.

Wire Wraps

Brightening your wire:

My wire-wrapped jewelry has a patina finish (oxidized to make the weave “pop”), however, over time, the jewelry may continue to self-patina or darken as all jewelry typically does. This can happen more quickly in humid environments. To brighten your piece, use a sunshine cloth with light pressure and rub in the same direction as the wire. Think, “go with the grain.”

Longevity of your piece:

My pieces are all built to last, however with aggressive wear, you must remember it is wire and can be bent. While I have clients who never take their pieces off, I recommend you do not sleep with any jewelry on. For bracelets, in particular, it is important not to pry them too far open to get them on and off or you may misshape them. I also don’t recommend showering with jewelry on, particularly when it comes to:

• Opals

• Leather

• Pearls

• Copper, brass, bronze, or base metals

• Selenite

• Turquoise

• Labradorite

  *not a complete list*

With all jewelry, be considerate of exposing it to sunscreens, lotions, hairspray, cleaning products, and make-ups.