Gold Plating

Gold plated jewelry is made of real gold twinned with a different base metal. Whilst the plating itself consists of real gold, which layer of gold must be equal to or greater than 0.5 micron.

 

• A 14k piece will have a lighter yellow, while an 18k piece will have a stronger, darker yellow color.

• Karatage refers to the percentage of gold content – 18k is 75% gold content, 14k is 58.3%. Pure gold is a soft and malleable metal so it’s not ideally suited for daily jewelry. 14k and 18k tend to be the most common karats used in jewelry.

Storage

• Wrapping it in a soft cloth before storing away. Anti-tarnish bags may prevent your jewelry from oxidizing and getting discolored.

• Avoid in apply chemical products like hand lotion, sunscreen, hairspray, etc before & while wearing your jewelry.

• Always take off your jewelry before a workout

• Take off your jewelry before going in a chlorinated pool or hot tub.

• Avoid tossing all your jewelry into one bag, as the pieces can rub against each other and get scratched.

• Don't use silver polish, toothpaste, harsh chemical cleaners, or scrub brushes on gold-plated jewelry.

Cleansing

• Wipe down after each wear. When removing your jewelry, always give it a quick wipe with a soft cloth.

• Soak them. Combine warm water with a few drops of mild soap in a bowl. Stir them to create some suds. Add in jewelry and soak for a few minutes.

• Remove dirt. Use a cotton swab or a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove dirt embedded in the crevices of the jewelry, and rinse the piece thoroughly.

• Dry thoroughly. Using a soft, lint-free cloth, dry them thoroughly.

 

Sterling Silver

925 Sterling Silver is a lightweight metal made of 92.5% pure silver. It’s highly durable and designed for daily wear. Sterling silver is a popular metal because of its affordability and malleability, but it also tarnishes very soon due to its composition.

Storage

• Store in a jewelry box lined with velvet, which helps absorb the air moisture, you may add also silica packs or chalk works to absorb excess moisture.

• Do not store them in paper or cotton-filled boxes, they may contain traces of sulfur which will contribute to tarnishing.

• Any air-tight container can be used to store your silver. Zip-lock bag is a great option too.

Cleansing

• Damp cloth. Clean by wiping with a soft, damp cloth.

• Soap and water. The most recommended. This should really be your first line of defense before trying anything else.

• Baking soda and water. Make a paste from baking soda and water, apply a small amount onto a cloth or soft toothbrush and scrub gently.

• Finish with polish. Finish the process by using a silver polishing cloth.

• Ultrasonic cleaners are safe to use on silver jewelry. 

 

Titanium

Titanium is a lightweight material and doesn’t corrode easily, making it highly durable. When properly cared for, titanium jewelry will maintain its appearance for a lifetime.

• Titanium is incredibly solid but can get scratched as a natural part of daily wear.

• Physical challenging activity could impact Titanium jewelry.  

Storage

• When not being worn, store in a safe, dry place to protect from daily exposure. 

• Avoid wearing it when you are in the shower or swimming pool.

Cleansing

• Warm water and soap. Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.

• Soak them. Combine warm water with a few drops of mild soap in a bowl. Add in jewelry and soak for a few minutes.

• Dry thoroughly. Rinse and dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth, no air-dry.

• Ammonia glass cleaners like Windex can be used after removing any dirt and grease with soapy water.

• Ultrasonic cleaners are safe to use on titanium jewelry. 

 

Alloy

If you are allergic to sterling silver jewelry, one alternative metal is lead-free alloy or brass jewelry. Its unique quality is its moderate sheen and lightweight, making it one of the popular types of meta. However, brass needs some special care and cleaning to keep them looking new and last longer. Doing so will also prevent discoloration and tarnishing.

Storage

• Closed containers would help to reduce the amount of moisture and oxygen that makes contact with it. 

Cleaning

• Hot water and soap. Soak the piece in a soap-water solution. (Note that the water should be hot). Mix a few drops of mild liquid dishwashing soap in a small bowl. 

• Soak them. Soak the piece for about five minutes. Check for the dirty particles and if they don't seem to loosen from the piece, continue soaking for five minutes more. 

• Brush off. Gently brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove dirt and grime. Rinse with clean tap water and dry with a clean lint-free cloth.

 

Enamel

Enameling is a technique in which a glossy substance, traditionally a type of glass, is fused to metal or another hard surface via a very high heat.

Storage

• When not being worn, store in a safe, dry place to protect from the elements of daily exposure.

Cleaning

• Warm water and soap. Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. 

• Do not use abrasive cleaners or polishing cloths. 

• Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is commonly used for jewelry due to its hypoallergenic function. Most stainless steel jewelry is made from alloys called 316L steel, which contains carbon, high levels of chromium and some nickel. 316L and 316LVM are typically called, “surgical stainless steel”, which use in body jewelry that will not tarnish.  

Storage

If you’re wondering, does stainless steel jewelry tarnish? Yes, Stainless steel does. Although it is the most resistant metal to corrosion of the typical metals used in jewelry making.

 

• Don’t allow your stainless steel jewelry to come into contact with other metals or gemstones when you store it.

• Store your stainless steel jewelry in a separate, fabric-lined jewelry box, to keep it free from dust and moisture.

• Remove stainless steel jewelry before working with harsh chemicals or swimming in a chlorinated pool or hot tub.

• Protect your stainless steel jewelry from direct contact with hairspray, perfumes, and other cosmetics which contain alcohol. It should be the first thing to take off and the last thing you put on.

• Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners to clean it.

Cleaning

This method works well for stainless steel jewelry that can be submerged in water for soaking, exclude for those which contain pearls or other gemstones. 

 

• Baking Soda. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that works well if there is grime caught in engraved jewelry or small openings in stainless steel chains.

• Make a Paste. In a small bowl, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a teaspoon of water to make a paste. Add more baking soda if the paste is thin.

• Scrub Gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to apply the paste to the stainless steel jewelry and scrub gently. 

• Rinse, Dry, and Buff. Use a bowl of warm water or hold the jewelry under gently running warm water to rinse away the baking soda paste. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth to dry the jewelry.

 

Gemstones

When caring for colored stones, it’s important to be aware of which gemstones you have. Gemstones can vary widely in terms of physical properties. In fact, some care methods can even cause damage if used for the wrong stone.

• Gemstones have varying degrees of hardness so be sure to treat them with care. 

• Many colored gemstones are susceptible to discoloration and fading when excessively exposed to natural elements such as sun, salt water, and perspiration as well as chemical irritants like chlorine, cosmetics, and lotions.

Storage

• When not being worn, store in a safe, dry place to protect it from the elements of daily exposure. It’s best to store gemstones in a padded jewelry box that offers proper protection.

• Never place your jewelry into a drawer haphazardly, as this can cause scratches, chips and fractures in the gemstones. 

Cleaning

Do not use steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners on colored gemstones as they can damage or permanently discolor these stones.