Jewelry Care & FAQ

Whether your jewelry is sterling silver, gold filled or brass, all these metals may tarnish when exposed to salty air, chlorine, sulfur, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, household bleach and other strong chemicals. To prevent tarnish as much as possible, we recommend that you store your jewelry in a safe, dry place when engaging in the following activities:
  • Household and outdoor chores
  • Showering, bathing or swimming in pools, hot tubs, hot springs and the ocean.  
  • Using lotion, hair products, fragrances and other cosmetics
  • Exercising at the gym or during contact sports
  • Preparing meals
Cleaning your silver jewelry
Apply a small amount of silver jewelry cleaner to a soft cloth.
Gently rub the silver with the cloth several times.
Rinse the silver thoroughly in warm water.
Blot dry and shine your silver with a soft polishing cloth.  A complimentary cleaning cloth was included with your order. 
Cleaning your gold filled jewelry
Clean with mild soapy water and a toothbrush - a child's soft toothbrush and a mild detergent is the perfect combination for cleaning gold-filled jewelry. The detergent can remove residue or fingerprints from the item, and still leave it shiny and bright when it's done. Be sure the toothbrush is soft or it may scratch your piece! 
Using a clean, soft cotton cloth is also an ideal way to polish your gold-filled pieces.  A complimentary cleaning cloth was included with your order. 
Cleaning your brass jewelry
Here are a few methods to clean your brass jewelry naturally.
Lemon and Lime
Cut a lemon or lime in half, then put a good amount of salt on the cut side and rub the brass jewelry with this. Add more salt if required, and rub the jewelry until clean. Take care as salt can be abrasive, so keep the rubbing gentle. Use a soft toothbrush to get to the hard to reach parts of the jewelry. Once you’re satisfied, wash and dry your items.
Vinegar and Flour Paste
Vinegar and flour paste is one of the most effective brass cleaning methods. All you need is a teaspoon of salt, half cup of vinegar and some flour. Mix these three ingredients to create a smooth paste, adding flour as required. Apply this mixture onto your brass jewelry and leave it for about 15 minutes. Next, use a soft brush to gently scrub the mixture off under warm running water.
Brass Cleaning Tips
Brass retains water spots which can create stains on your jewelry.  Always ensure that you have dried brass jewelry thoroughly before wearing or storing to avoid water stains. Also, when cleaning brass, don’t go against the grain as this can cause scratches.
If you are planning on buying a commercial jewelry cleaner, make sure that it is one that can be used with brass. Check the label, if it does not specifically state that it is meant for use with brass, it is best to avoid it.
Apply a touch of olive oil across the surface of the piece to retain its shine.
14k Gold Fill FAQ
What is 14k gold fill?

High quality, affordable alternative to solid gold

Despite its name, gold fill is actually a layer of solid gold bonded to high quality jeweler's brass

5% gold by weight - 100x more gold than gold plating. Gold plating will wear through and tarnish fairly quickly.

Compared to gold vermeil, gold fill has a thicker layer of gold that is pressure and heat bonded versus gold vermeil's electroplating process. It will last longer and is waterproof, where vermeil is not.

With proper care, gold-filled jewelry can last for many years without discloring or signs of wear

Does 14k gold fill tarnish?

Although gold filled jewelry is waterproof and durable, we want to give realistic care expectations and give you the information you need to help your jewelry live its longest possible life. So while you can wear your jewelry at all times, greater attention to care can increase its longevity.

Chemicals, when left on the surface of your pieces, can cause the gold to tarnish more quickly than it should.  There are chemicals in a lot of things (even you!), and it’s important to be aware of the factors that could potentially cause tarnishing. 

  • Pools and hot tubs - Just don’t do it with jewelry on. The chemicals used to kill bacteria in pools create a harsh environment for jewelry, and they’re even more concentrated in hot tubs.  
  • Sweat - There are a lot of chemicals in your sweat, and depending on your personal body chemistry (or medications you may be taking), it could be hard on your pieces, so it’s best to take jewelry off to work out. 
  • Products - Perfume, hairspray, lotions and sunscreen!  Try to minimize these kinds of things ending up on your jewelry by putting your jewelry on last or taking it off for certain activities.  
Will 14k gold fill turn my finger green?

No! However, everyone reacts to metals differently. There are certain cases where peoples body chemistry reacts to gold, oxidizing it and leaving a green residue on your skin. This has to do with your PH levels.  Tarnishing does not mean that your jewelry will ever flake or turn your skin green, it is simply the gradual darkening/dulling of metal over time, but polishing and proper care can slow this process