Silver Jewelry Care

Silver Jewelry Care

Sterling silver jewelry naturally develops a darker patina over time due to oxidation. It is a completely normal and natural reaction known as tarnish. To slow down the process, always remove your jewellery before showering and intense workouts as moisture, salt and sweat accelerate oxidation (silver reacts to moisture and chemicals in the air such as sulphur, as it does to chemicals and moisture on our skin from body sprays, lotions and perfumes). 

Chemicals like chlorine and salt will damage silver so avoid wearing while swimming (salt is corrosive to silver). Always remove necklaces before sleeping and avoid storing in humid environments such as the bathroom.

Silver jewelry remains at its shiny best when worn daily or kept in a dry, air-tight box or bag. To clean any tarnishing, simply polish with your a silver cloth to regain a silver finish. Regular use of a silver cloth removes light tarnish and inhibits re-tarnishing, prolonging the original sparkle of your silver. If you don't have a silver cloth to hand a microfibre cloth is ideal.

Note: Remove pendants from their chain before rubbing the pendant between the cloth (using a silver cloth may weaken a chain by pulling on the links, so be gentle).

Silver is a soft metal, so its best to remove jewellery while cleaning, using tools or in situations where rings are likely to get knocked against hard surfaces. Little knocks and scratches are just part of wearing and loving silver rings, bangles and bracelets (jewelry is for wearing and enjoying after all), so we say embrace them!

18ct Gold Vermeil Jewelry

Gold vermeil (pronounced vur-may) or gilded is sterling silver that has been gold plated onto sterling silver. As with sterling silver, preventive care is important for maintaining your gold vermeil jewelry.

To protect the plating from damage, avoid direct contact with cologne, perfume, soap and other products while wearing your jewelry. Always remove your jewellery before showering and intense workouts as moisture, salt and sweat accelerate oxidation (silver reacts to moisture and chemicals in the air such as sulphur, as it does to chemicals and moisture in soaps and on our skin from body sprays, lotions and perfumes). Our gilded jewelry has a thick 2.5 micron layer of gold. Onto of that is has an e-coating, giving a further layer of protections. Nevertheless, they are layer onto the precious silver.

Chemicals like chlorine and salt will damage silver so avoid wearing while swimming (salt is corrosive to silver). Always remove necklaces before sleeping and avoid storing in humid environments such as the bathroom.

Store the jewelry in a dry place, ideally in a soft-lined box to protect it from scratching and impact damage. Our silk lined box is perfect! Try to keep the pieces separate, so that they don't rub together or tangle up. Gold vermeil jewelry will tarnish like silver (as it is sterling silver, plated in 18ct) so it is best to keep it in an airtight bag, just like our magnetic pouch we include with your order. Clean your jewellery with a soft microfibre cloth. 

Remove vermeil jewelry before swimming, bathing or washing your hands with chemical soaps. Perfumes, creams and hairsprays can also have a negative effect, so always apply before putting on your jewelry. Always remove gold vermeil jewellery before sleep to prevent wear. As the old saying goes, "Jewelry should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off".

If you would like to clean your gold vermeil jewelry wash it with a small amount of gentle dish soap or non-chemical soap and warm water. Rinse it well and allow to dry on a cloth or paper towel. Use a jewelry cloth or a soft, non-abrasive cloth such as microfibre and gently rub the surface in a circular motion to clean. Make sure it is fully dry before returning to its box or airtight bag for storage. Avoid using a silver cloth as it will remove the gold plating! 

Please note that all plating will naturally fade with wear. 

**Gold vermeil is a wonderful way to have great jewelry at a reasonable price, but if you want to enjoy your gold jewelry for years and years, without fear of fading or tarnishing, we recommend that you invest in solid gold (plating, no matter how good, will wear off if worn regularly).