FAQ
Will my jewelry tarnish?
Over time any sterling silver jewelry will tarnish. Chemicals like hairspray, perfume, deodorant, body lotion, bleach etc. will speed up the tarnishing process so be sure to put your jewelry on after use once skin has dried. Read below for prevention tips...
How can I prevent my jewelry from tarnishing?
The best way to prevent tarnishing is to store your jewelry in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
Adding an anti-tarnish strip will help absorb any tarnishing elements.
Do not wear it in the shower or pool, the humidity and moisture can make the tarnish appear faster.
Minimize your silvers contact with chemicals, including but not limited to body lotion, shampoo, hand soap etc.
After taking your jewelry off clean it with a dry soft cloth before putting it back in the airtight container. You will receive a Twisted Love polishing cloth with you order.
The good news is the more you were it the longer it will take to tarnish!
Will my antiqued pieces loose their oxidation?
Some of our pieces have been purposefully oxidized in order to darken some small details to make them stand out in the design. These pieces should be set aside when cleaning and done separately. Oxidized pieces shouldn't be excessively cleaned or polished or the black details may wear off.
Preventative Care of Sterling Silver Jewelry:
The great thing is if you wear your jewelry often it will not tarnish as quickly or at all in most cases. The oils in your skin help “clean” your silver keeping it nice and shiny looking!
Tips when for when wearing your sterling silver jewelry:
Avoid contact or exposure to chemicals and other materials. Household cleaners, perspiration, rubber, chlorinated water, or any substances which may contain sulfur, will cause corrosion or tarnish. It is a good idea and highly recommended to remove silver jewelry when doing household chores. Direct sunlight may also cause silver to tarnish so remove all jewelry before swimming or sunbathing.
How should I store my sterling silver jewelry?
Because exposure to air will tarnish silver, storing it in an airtight plastic bag or container will work great! Adding an anti-tarnish strip will work even better. Storing pieces in individual bags is ideal that way they won't scratch against each other. If you can't find anti-tarnish strips you can use a piece of chalk, a packet of activated charcoal, or a container of silica gel in the storage area.
How can I polish my sterling silver jewelry?
If the tarnish is not too severe simply polishing your piece will work. It is also the best method for cleaning antiqued pieces, this way you can stay away form the intentionally oxidized areas. Silver is very soft and so it will scratch easily. Be sure to use the polishing cloth included with your purchase. Do not use paper towels or tissues, they contain fibers that will scratch your pieces.
When polishing be sure to use a back and forth long motion that mirror the grains of the silver. Do not rub in circle, this will magnify any tiny scratches. Also, change to a different section of your cloth frequently to avoid placing tarnish back onto your silver.
Should I use commercial silver cleaners?
These cleaners and dips are easy to use and very easy to find but they do have some drawbacks. Aside from the harmful vapors and fumes these powerful solvents usually require special hazardous waste disposal to avoid contaminating ground water or causing other environmental harm. Also, they will harm your silver by removing your silvers anti-tarnish coating and valuable patina. Even though these cleaners may give your silver a temporary shine, the pieces will tarnish much more quickly and have to be cleaned more frequently.
Well cared for sterling silver jewelry will give you many years of joy and they in many cases will become family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation. Silver is also very valuable so don't forget or neglect it. You will be glad you didn't!
How do I clean my brass jewelry?
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and will naturally tarnish when exposed to oxygen. Just like silver the more you wear your brass jewelry the longer it will take to tarnish. Wipe clean your brass jewelry with a damp, soft cloth, microfiber works great. Make sure it is completely dry before wearing it! Do not use harsh chemicals or jewelry cleaners.
Preventative Care for Brass Jewelry:
To preserve the life of your brass jewelry, do not expose it to water. You should remove your jewelry while exercising, bathing and swimming. Also avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, hair products or any other chemicals.
How should I store my brass jewelry?
We highly recommend storing your pieces in the pouches you received them in. Make sure they are stored in a dry place, away from extreme temperatures and humidity.
Will my skin turn green from wearing my brass jewelry?
That all depends on the person. It is usually the copper in the metal that some people develop reactions from. If the metal gets wet while being worn form either water, sweat or anything else it may cause the skin in contact to turn greenish-black. This usually happens more with rings and earrings rather than bracelets or pendants. The bracelets and pendants usually have more air flow between the skin and jewelry.