Caring for your Pieces

I want you to enjoy your Artful Gems’ pieces forever! So keep in mind that most materials require maintenance to keep them looking like the day you bought them. Also, Artful Gems are all handcrafted creations. This makes them delicate. So, avoid hard surfaces when putting on your jewelry in case you drop your piece. Gemstones can be fragile; crystals definitely are.

Here are some general tips to care for your pieces!

• • After use, always wipe with a soft cloth and store away from light.
  • Remember to keep all pieces away from water and air exposure when not wearing.  Put on perfumes, creams, and lotions before putting on any type of jewelry.

• • Avoid chemicals such as chlorine, sulfur, perfume, detergent and lotion.

• • Most of the metals Artful Gems uses are precious. However, some alloys may be used in minor areas. These will be plated, so follow directions for plating and always keep dry. You may wipe the metal with a polishing cloth, but be aware that  excessive polishing will rub off the plating and is not recommended.

• Oh, if you have lots of pieces that need cleaning, separate them into groups that require the same treatments. As you clean them, stay in the moment. Follow every movement, stroke, action; every scent and visual and you will bring your mind and body together. Focus on the task and nothing else. It is very Zen.

Specific Metals and How to Care for Them

Sterling Silver

According to Reader’s Digest, Sterling Silver  requires maintenance and may be cleaned with regular household items you have at home! You can try one of these out or use the Silver polishing cloth I include with the purchase of Sterling Silver pieces. Your Artful Gems’ sterling silver piece will also be packaged in a plastic zip lock bag that will contain a 3M anti-tarnish strip. When not worn, store your piece in this bag. If you like, silver solutions may also be found in many establishments.

• Aluminum foil: Bring one liter of water, one tablespoon of baking soda and one piece of aluminum foil to a boil. Drop silverware in the pot for 10 seconds (longer if it’s very tarnished), then remove using kitchen tongs. Magic! 
• Laundry detergent: To make your jewelry sparkle, line a medium-sized bowl with aluminum foil and fill it with hot water. Mix in one tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent, then soak your silver for one minute. Rinse with clean water, and air-dry.
• Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizer not only fights germs, but it’s a great silver polish. Squirt a few drops on a soft cloth and rub away the tarnish.
• Window cleaner: Spray window cleaner on a rag or toothbrush, and use it to gently scrub your sterling silver. You should be able to restore your silver to its original shiny state.

Sterling Silver Plating

According to diy.com, place a sheet of aluminum foil in a shallow plastic or glass bowl. For each quart of water you fill, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and let sit for 10 minutes while the chemistry goes to work and draws the sulfur off the silver and onto the aluminum. 

Or, a simple wash with warm water and some dish soap may be all it needs. Just note that regular maintenance will keep your pieces looking great.

Stainless Steel

For Stainless Steel pieces, maintenance should begin with a daily wipe off. For a deeper clean, fill two small bowls with warm water; one for washing, one for rinsing it. Add 2 to 3 drops of mild dish soap into one of the bowls. Dip the corner of a soft, non-abrasive cloth into the soapy water. Rub the cloth along the jewelry. Go along the grain, not across it so it won’t scratch. In detailed areas, use a soft bristled toothbrush with gentle pressure. Rinse your jewelry in the second bowl with clean water. Then dry once there is no soap residue.

Base Metals and/or Alloys

First and foremost, it’s best to avoid moist or wet conditions, and when not in use, store in an airtight container. Once again, toothpaste! To clean a piece, work the paste into a lather and then apply directly to the piece. Use your fingers and a soft toothbrush to get into grooves, or to scrub more stubborn tarnish. If you have left the piece stained for too long, the metal may not clean. It is best to care for it from the start.
Once it is clean, rinse and dry.

Copper

Dip your Copper piece in a bowl with a mixture of lemon juice & salt. Leave it in for about 30-60 seconds. Take it out and rinse and dry. I have also experimented with silver cleaning solutions. Real copper will clean wonderfully in this solution. All it takes is 10 seconds. Rinse and dry. Easy maintenance!

Brass

Vermeil

Vermeil is made of a Sterling Silver core with a thick layer of Gold. As part of your maintenance ritual, when not in use it should be stored in an airtight bag.  Always apply perfumes and lotions and allow for them to dry before wearing your piece. Do not wear Vermeil while bathing. Also, take off your Vermeil pieces while at the pool because of the chlorine. It will discolor your Gold Vermeil jewelry. Spas, hot springs, and  hot tubs are also enemies of Vermeil. The excessive heat that these produce will hurt your Vermeil jewelry.

One way to keep your Vermeil looking good is to spray a little glass cleaner onto a soft cloth and wipe. This will keep it looking great and not allow dirt and grime to collect. If tarnished, a good option is an ionic cleaner.

Do not use a silver polishing cloth as this will eventually wear off the Gold!

Gold Filled

Gold-filled jewelry contains 5% gold by weight or a minimum 1/20 of the total weight. All the gold is on the surface which protects the piece from tarnish and wear. Clean each piece after wearing it, and store pieces so that they do not contact one another to avoid scratches.

To clean, I have heard of adding a drop of ammonia to a bowl of water and gently scrubbing your piece with a soft cloth and a soft toothbrush for hard to reach places. 

However, in my experience, gold filled just requires a light surface cleaning with a soft cloth or mild soapy water.

Pewter

Modern Pewter is about 91 percent tin, 7.5 percent antimony, and 1.5 percent copper; the absence of lead makes it safe. According to The Pewter Society, Pewter does not tarnish like silver, so a periodic clean with an all-purpose metal (not silver) polish will keep it looking bright. It’s all about maintenance!

If you follow these simple practices, you will love your piece for many years. I personally package each piece and make sure that what you will receive meets my high expectations. But as in life things happen.  In the case that your jewelry needs repair due to flaws in workmanship, I will gladly repair  or replace  your piece based on the circumstance at no charge.  If it is a one of a kind piece, replacement is contingent on finding the materials used. In the case that jewelry has been damaged or tangled, it can be repaired for a fee that will be determined by the repair needed. There is a repair fee of $20.00 on merchandise 1 year or older. Shipping charges are not included.

For more information on any repairs needed, please email me: [email protected].

So, what do you think?

If you have any tips that you would like to offer, please leave me your thoughts below!