Materials and care
- Your piece was hand finished and therefore delicate in nature. Please treat it with care to improve its longevity.
- Gold filled components contain a greater percentage more real gold than gold plated components and are very durable and tarnish resistant.
Bronze
We love bronze for its beautiful rustic antique look and feel. It's golden and shiny when polished but ages beautifully as well.
Bronze leaving marks on your skin?
We sometimes get questions about this, as at first it can seem strange, so we wanted to provide a bit of information about what it is, why it happens, and what to expect.
Why does this happen?
Bronze is mostly copper with a small percentage of tin which gives it the soft and beautiful golden color. Because of the copper content, bronze jewelry can sometimes cause the skin it touches to turn a greenish hue. This is actually because of the natural acids in our skin! The acids mix with the Bronze, and can create a bit of a tarnish, that then rubs off on us.
This reaction does not happen to everyone, and is much more pronounced in the first few wears as your skin adjusts to our raw bronze and vice versa!
Also, the great thing about bronze metal is that can be luster and polished anytime you want that shiny gold back.
What can you do to lessen the hue?
There are a number of ways to reduce and eliminate it.
1. Keep it clean.
This reaction is caused by the acids in our sweat. The simplest way to reduce it, is to remove your Bronze jewels when you know you might get a bit sweaty. Yet - we know that’s not possible for everyone, so for our customers who live in hot environments (or like to get sweaty, like us), we recommend keeping your Bronze washed with mild soap and polished (a simple jewelry specific polishing cloth is perfect!), which will prevent tarnishing, and thus - discoloration.
2. Coat it.
painting the inside of the ring band with clear nail polish works wonders. There are many non-toxic options available, and this method only needs to be reapplied every few months.
4. Choose gold or silver. Choose a different metal! We offer both 10K & 14K gold options for all of our pieces, and 925 sterling silver in almost everything. We understand that our gold is quite an investment, but it is an excellent option for those who are bothered by discoloration, or just want a slightly more luxe piece!
Sterling Silver
Is a fine jewelry that is durable and Light. The added metals in sterling silver make it an incredibly durable material. In addition to its light weight, this quality makes it an ideal choice for jewelry that will be worn daily or often. Sterling silver is a great option if you have more sensitive skin and want a higher quality metal, or if you just like the look of silver.
To maintain the shine of your bronze or silver jewelry use a polishing cloth regularly to restore its lustre.
If you love a more rustic/vintage look no extra care is needed
Gold
Our gold jewelry is ethically produced in the USA.
Caring for your gold
10k or 14k Gold is a great option for a more active lifestyle and everyday wear.
Gold is a precious metal that should be cared for to maintain its value and beauty. Gently clean your gold jewelry with a soft cloth and warm water, or a soft jewelry polishing cloth to restore its glow and keep clean from light buildup from daily activities.
- Care of Gold Filled Jewelry
Gold filled jewelry is cared for in the same manner as other precious jewelry. The absolutely best thing you can do for your Gold Filled jewelry is to clean regularly using a little bit of warm water, and a soft cloth to dry and shine after. Many chemicals marketed for cleaning jewelry are actually somewhat abrasive or corrosive and can cause some damage or color alteration to your jewelry. The best way to avoid this is to keep it simple. Warm water and a soft cloth are the best thing you can do to maintain the beauty of your jewelry.
-How long will my Gold Filled jewelry last?
Under normal wearing conditions, and with proper care, your gold filled jewelry can last a lifetime. It does not chip or peel easily as gold plated jewelry does. Heavy wear and rough conditions will of course impact how your jewelry looks. This is true no matter what your jewelry is made of.
- Things to avoid with your jewelry
To maintain the beauty of your jewelry, whether it is gold filled or solid gold, salt water, chlorine (swimming pools) and all heavy detergents and cleaning agents should be avoided.
- Bronze, brass and sterling silver items can be cleaned by purchasing a cleaning solution in a jewelry store.
- Do not clean plated jewelry with chemicals, instead gently wipe with a damp towel.
- It is best to keep your jewelry in a dry clean pouch or bag when not in used.
- Do not swim, bathe, or shower in your jewelry and avoid unnecessary exposure to heat and moisture where possible.
- You can always send your jewelry back to us for deep cleaning.