Jewelry Care & Metals

Gold

​Since the beginning of time, the intrinsic beauty, warmth, sensuality and spiritual richness of gold has earned it its place as a favorite of all the metals. Gold is a remarkable, rare metal, with an unparalleled combination of chemical and physical properties. It is the only yellow metal. It is also the only metal that forms no oxide film on its surface in air at normal temperatures, meaning that it will never rust or tarnish.

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver possesses working qualities similar to gold but enjoys greater reflectivity and can achieve the most brilliant polish of any metal. To make it durable for jewelry, however, pure silver (999) is often alloyed with small quantities of copper.

With its appealing, cool and crisp white luster, Sterling Silver jewelry combines the endurance of a precious metal with an uncanny ability to adapt to fashion's demands. The unlimited selection of designs available, from demure and traditional to bold and dramatic, allows you to build a vast and personalized silver jewelry wardrobe as varied as your every mood, style and budget.

Silver of  925 fineness = 92.5% silver + 7.5% white alloy.

Brass

Brass is one of the most popularly used metals for jewelry due to its resemblance to gold. It has been used since its creation in making beautiful jewelry designs.  Due to its affordability, workability and durability, brass is a good choice  for jewelry and is increasingly being used in the jewelry world.

Brass is very malleable, making it ideal for intricate jewelry designs. It does not break easily as it is not a brittle metal. Rather, it tends to stretch when under pressure. Brass jewelry can last through the ages with reasonable care and maintenance.

Brass does not rust and is resistant to corrosion. However, it does develop a patina,  can lose its luster or greenish layer, over time. This is due to the copper content in the alloy.  While some people like the appearance of tarnished brass, others prefer the bright luster of brass.

The copper content in Brass jewelry can sometimes turn your skin green because the metal oxidizes and reacts with the sweat from your body, creating copper chelates. While pure copper cannot be absorbed by the skin, copper chelates can. The excess copper that isn’t absorbed by your skin is what turns your skin green.  

However, green skin from wearing brass jewelry is not harmful nor is it a permanent stain.  The green stains are easily removed with soap and water. In order to avoid green staining, you can have your piece of brass jewelry lacquered.  You can also do this yourself by applying clear nail polish to the part of the brass jewelry that touches your skin. This will form a barrier that will keep your skin free of stains.

Brass Health Benefits

Brass contains copper and zinc. Some claim that wearing Brass assists in alleviating rheumatism, arthritis, headaches and joint paints. While these aren’t scientifically proven, it is possible that wearing brass jewelry can produce some health benefits.

 

Care and Cleaning Your Jewelry

Light, heat and chemicals can affect a colored gemstone's durability and color. Excessive heat and sudden temperature changes may also fracture the gem. Heat can easily remove the natural moisture some gems need to retain their beauty. Pearls can dry out, crack and discolor.

Exposure to chemicals can damage and discolor precious metals; gold, silver, and platinum. Its natural for sterling silver to oxidize when exposed to air. It is the other metals, usually copper, that oxidizes in the air resulting in the build up of a tarnished layer on sterling silver jewelry.

  • Sterling Silver

Silver tarnishes faster in areas with high humidity and air pollution. Additionally contact with materials like cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, deodorant, body lotion, bleach, etc., can speed up the tarnishing process. Your ring may also become oxidized by reacting with acids in your skin, the moisture in perspiration, or by reacting with some other lotion or chemical on your skin. Below are some common culprits

  • Cosmetics

Make-up present on the skin or clothing is the most common cause of blackening or smudging. Cosmetics often contain chemical compounds which are harder than the jewelry itself. These compounds can rub off very tiny particles of metal which appear as jet black dust.

Solution: 

Remember to remove rings & jewelry while applying make-up, using soap & water. Clean the areas of your skin that will come into contact with the jewelry making sure all soap is rinsed off and your hands are dry.

  • Moisture & Humidity

Moisture in the air or on the skin can react with the copper present in all Sterling Silver jewelry, causing a green discoloration and tarnish to develop. This is a fairly common complaint in hot, humid climates and can also affect individuals with particularly moist skin.

Solution: 

Keep your silver jewelry out of the bathroom and shower area. Leave your silver jewelry at home when you go to the gym, swimming pool or spa. 

  • Contact with Sulfur Compounds

Sulfur compounds can cause Sterling Silver to tarnish. Avoid wearing your jewelry in heavily polluted environments. Also be careful when handling coal or oil, and when preparing foods containing Sulphur such as eggs, onions, fish or shellfish. 

​Keep it clean and safe

Jewelry should be removed before swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool, or before using household cleaners. Many cleaners contain ammonia, which is only safe for diamonds. Chlorine bleach, another common household solvent, can deteriorate gold alloys.

Store your clean dry jewelry in a dry air-tight container, anti-tarnish pouched or a dedicated jewelry box. Its best to store pieces individually. Always take off your jewelry before getting in the shower, swimming pool or hot tub, clean it with a dry soft cloth, or polishing cloth, before storing it away.

Clean most colored gems with a soft brush. A soft, lint-free cloth can also be used.

Soft gems, such as pearls, on the other hand, can easily be scratched. We suggest using an unused makeup brush instead.